Z5vs A5100
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Entry-Level Full-Frame & Dslr Switchers — Z5 (2020): The most affordable route into full-frame Z — dual card slots, IBIS, and a capable sensor at an accessible price.
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
Z5 (2020)
- DSLR photographers switching to full-frame mirrorless for the first time
- Enthusiasts who want full-frame image quality on a tighter budget
- Photographers stepping up from APS-C who don't need fast burst or 4K
- Z5 II shoppers on a budget — the original Z5 is now excellent value used
A5100 (2014)
- Beginners stepping up from a smartphone
- Compact travel photographers
- Casual vloggers who want APS-C quality
Quick take: The a5100 is the most affordable; only the z5 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z5 (2020) | A5100 (2014) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £999 | £200 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 24.3MP |
| Video | 4K/30p (with crop), 1080p/60p | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Hybrid AF — 273 phase-detect points, eye/subject detection | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops | None |
| Burst Rate | 4.5fps | 6fps |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 590g (with battery) | 224g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 134 × 100.5 × 69.5mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.8× magnification | None |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Nikon Z mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z5 | A5100 |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Travel | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Everyday | — | |
| Sports | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Casual | — | |
| Street | — | |
| Sports & Action | — |
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