Decision tools · Compare
Z50 II vs A5100
Quick take: The A5100 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the A5100 is the most affordable; only the Z50 II is weather sealed.
Where the Z50 II wins
- Burst Rate: 11fps mechanical, 30fps electronic
- Weather Sealed: Yes
- Portrait: 7.2 vs 5.4
- Wedding & Events: 6.3 vs 3.5
- Vlogging & Video: 6.8 vs 4.8
Where the A5100 wins
- Cheaper new: £102 vs £939
- Resolution: 24.3MP
- Battery Life: ~400 shots (CIPA)
- Weight: 224g (body only)
- Street: 7.0 vs 6.4
16 specs side by side·16 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video, Clifton Cameras, MPB, eBay and Amazon UK
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more
Size comparedbody only, no lens · drawn to one scale
- Z50 II 127 × 97 × 66 mm · 550 g
- A5100 110 × 63 × 36 mm · 283 g
The A5100 is 17 mm narrower, 34 mm shorter, 30 mm slimmer and 267 g lighter than the Z50 II.
Drawn to scale from the makers' dimensions (W × H × D). Front shown, depth on the slanted edge.
Verdictwhich should you buy?
Z50 II — All-Round Photography: Nikon's updated APS-C body with 4K/60p, improved subject tracking, and a vari-angle screen — a solid all-rounder.
A5100 — Casual & Travel: 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
Z50 II (2024)
is the right camera for you if…
- Beginners stepping into the Nikon Z system wanting improved autofocus
- Content creators who want APS-C Z quality with subject detection AF
- Z50 owners who want meaningfully better AF performance for people and pets
- Travel photographers wanting a compact, capable Z body at an accessible price
A5100 (2014)
is the right camera for you if…
- Beginners stepping up from a smartphone
- Compact travel photographers
- Casual vloggers who want APS-C quality
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | Z50 IINikon · 2024 | A5100Sony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £939 | £102 usedBest |
| Sensor | 20.9MP APS-C CMOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 20.9MP | 24.3MPBest |
| Video | 4K/60p uncropped, 1080p/120p, N-Log | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 249 points, subject detection (human/animal/vehicle) | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | No stabilisation | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 11fps mechanical, 30fps electronicBest | 6fps |
| Battery Life | ~330 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 385g (body only) | 224g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | 127.0 × 96.8 × 66.5mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | YesBest | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots | No viewfinder |
| 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 | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
Z50 II
A5100
Portrait
7.2/10
5.4/10
Street
6.4/10
7.0/10
Travel
6.1/10
6.4/10
Wedding & Events
6.3/10
3.5/10
Vlogging & Video
6.8/10
4.8/10
Filmmaking
6.0/10
—
Documentary
7.0/10
4.1/10
Sports & Action
7.9/10
4.7/10
Landscape
5.5/10
5.0/10
Wildlife
8.1/10
5.5/10
Casual
6.4/10
5.2/10
Food
6.7/10
5.9/10
Macro
6.0/10
5.2/10
Architecture
5.5/10
5.2/10
Astrophotography
5.5/10
4.7/10
Fun & simple
—
4.9/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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