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Nikon ZR vs A5100
Quick take: The Nikon ZR has the highest resolution at 25MP; the A5100 is the most affordable; only the Nikon ZR is weather sealed.
16 specs side by side·16 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
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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Verdictwhich should you buy?
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
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 | Nikon ZRNikon · 2025 | A5100Sony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,999 | £200Best |
| Sensor | 24.5MP full-frame CMOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 25.0MPBest | 24.3MP |
| Video | 6K/60p, 4K/120p, internal R3D NE/N-RAW, ProRes, 10-bit N-Log, 32-bit float audio | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Hybrid phase-detect AF with subject detection | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | 7.5-stop IBIS (Synchro VR) | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 20fpsBest | 6fps |
| Battery Life | 390 shots (CIPA); ~90-125 min continuous recording | ~400 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 630g (with battery and card) | 224g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | — | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | YesBest | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | None (screen only) | No viewfinder |
| Screen | 4.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | CFexpress Type B + microSD | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, HDMI (micro), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | 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
Nikon ZR
A5100
Portrait
6.6/10
5.4/10
Street
4.8/10
7.0/10
Travel
6.1/10
6.7/10
Wedding & Events
6.6/10
3.5/10
Vlogging & Video
6.5/10
5.0/10
Filmmaking
7.9/10
—
Documentary
8.1/10
4.1/10
Sports & Action
6.4/10
4.7/10
Landscape
6.1/10
5.0/10
Wildlife
6.5/10
5.5/10
Casual
5.7/10
5.1/10
Food
7.8/10
5.9/10
Macro
6.2/10
5.2/10
Architecture
7.2/10
5.2/10
Astrophotography
5.6/10
4.7/10
Fun & simple
—
4.5/10
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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