Lumix S5vs A5100
Lumix
Lumix S5 (2020)
Starting from £1699 new
Best for Professional video & hybrid shooting
View Lumix S5
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Professional Video & Hybrid Shooting — Lumix S5 (2020): The S5 is an outstanding video camera that also takes excellent stills. 10-bit 4K/60p, dual native ISO and 6.5-stop IBIS in a weather-sealed body is a compelling package. The contrast-detect AF is its main weakness vs Sony and Canon — but for controlled shooting it doesn't hold it back.
Casual & Travel — A5100 (2014): The A5100 is one of the smallest APS-C mirrorless cameras ever made. Its 24MP sensor, phase-detect AF, and selfie-friendly flip screen pack remarkable capability into a shirt-pocket-sized body. No EVF or hot shoe limits it for serious use, but as a compact travel camera or beginner's first mirrorless, it punches well above its price on the used market.
Who should buy what
Lumix S5 (2020)
- Videographers who need 10-bit colour science in a full-frame body
- Photographers who shoot video as a second discipline
- Studio photographers who want full-frame IBIS at a lower price
- L-mount system users building a versatile kit
A5100 (2014)
- Beginners stepping up from a smartphone
- Compact travel photographers
- Casual vloggers who want APS-C quality
Quick take: The a5100 has the highest resolution at 24mp; the a5100 is the most affordable; only the lumix s5 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Lumix S5 (2020) | A5100 (2014) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,699 | £200 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 24.3MP |
| Video | 4K/60p 10-bit V-Log/HLG, 5.9K anamorphic, 1080p/180p slow-motion | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Contrast AF (DFD Technology), face/eye detection | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | 6.5-stop IBIS (dual IBIS with Lumix S lenses) | None |
| Burst Rate | 7fps mechanical, 9fps electronic (AFS) | 6fps |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 714g (body, battery, card) | 224g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 132.6 × 97.1 × 81.9mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.78× magnification | None |
| Screen | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 1.84M dots | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Leica L-mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 1), full-size HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Lumix S5 | A5100 |
|---|---|---|
| Video | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Travel | ||
| Street | ||
| Wildlife | — | |
| Casual | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Sports & Action | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
More comparisons with Lumix S5
Camera family history