Z30vs A5100
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Travel & Everyday Video — Z30 (2022): Nikon's lightest Z-mount body — no fuss, excellent subject tracking, and a flip screen for creators.
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
Z30 (2022)
- Vloggers and content creators who don't need an EVF
- Beginners entering the Nikon Z system at the lowest price point
- Streamers who want a compact interchangeable-lens camera for desk use
- Travel and lifestyle shooters who want a compact APS-C Z body
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. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z30 (2022) | A5100 (2014) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £479 | £200 |
| Sensor | 20.9MP APS-C CMOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 20.9MP | 24.3MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 4K/60p (with crop), 1080p/120p | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 209 points, subject tracking (human/animal/vehicle) | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | None |
| Burst Rate | 11fps | 6fps |
| Battery Life | ~300 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 405g body only | 224g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 127.5 × 73.5 × 59.5mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic input, micro HDMI | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z30 | A5100 |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Travel | ||
| Family & Everyday | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Street | ||
| Sports & Action | ||
| Casual | — | |
| Landscape | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history