Decision tools · Compare
Zf vs A5100
Quick take: The Zf has the highest resolution at 24MP; the A5100 is the most affordable; only the Zf is weather sealed.
Where the Zf wins
- Resolution: 24.5MP
- Burst Rate: 14fps mechanical, 30fps electronic
- Weather Sealed: Yes
- Portrait: 8.4 vs 5.4
- Wedding & Events: 8.1 vs 3.5
Where the A5100 wins
- Cheaper new: £102 vs £2,099
- Battery Life: ~400 shots (CIPA)
- Weight: 224g (body only)
- Street: 7.0 vs 6.5
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.
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Size comparedbody only, no lens · drawn to one scale
- Zf 144 × 103 × 49 mm · 710 g
- A5100 110 × 63 × 36 mm · 283 g
The A5100 is 34 mm narrower, 40 mm shorter, 13 mm slimmer and 427 g lighter than the Zf.
Drawn to scale from the makers' dimensions (W × H × D). Front shown, depth on the slanted edge.
Verdictwhich should you buy?
Zf — Street & Travel Photography: Full-frame performance in a stunning retro body — the Zf's 8-stop IBIS and gorgeous design make it uniquely compelling.
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
Zf (2023)
is the right camera for you if…
- Photographers who want full-frame Z quality in a retro-styled body
- Street and travel photographers attracted to the classic dial aesthetic
- Zfc owners who want to step up to full-frame without losing the retro design
- Anyone who wants the best-looking full-frame mirrorless available
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 | ZfNikon · 2023 | A5100Sony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,099 | £102 usedBest |
| Sensor | 24.5MP Full-frame BSI CMOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.5MPBest | 24.3MP |
| Video | 4K/30p oversampled, FHD/120p, N-Log, 10-bit | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect 273 points, subject detection (human/animal/vehicle) | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 8.0 stops | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 14fps mechanical, 30fps electronicBest | 6fps |
| Battery Life | ~380 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 630g (body only) | 224g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | 144.0 × 103.0 × 49.0mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | YesBest | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.80× magnification | No viewfinder |
| Screen | 3.2" vari-angle touchscreen | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount (full-frame) | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | SD UHS-II + microSD UHS-I | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C 3.2, 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
Zf
A5100
Portrait
8.4/10
5.4/10
Street
6.5/10
7.0/10
Travel
6.2/10
6.4/10
Wedding & Events
8.1/10
3.5/10
Vlogging & Video
6.3/10
4.8/10
Filmmaking
7.3/10
—
Documentary
7.7/10
4.1/10
Sports & Action
8.2/10
4.7/10
Landscape
7.0/10
5.0/10
Wildlife
8.3/10
5.5/10
Casual
5.4/10
5.2/10
Food
7.7/10
5.9/10
Macro
7.3/10
5.2/10
Architecture
7.3/10
5.2/10
Astrophotography
7.4/10
4.7/10
Fun & simple
4.5/10
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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