Decision tools · Compare
OM-D E-M1 vs A5100
Quick take: The A5100 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the OM-D E-M1 is the most affordable; only the OM-D E-M1 is weather sealed.
16 specs side by side·15 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 | OM-D E-M1Olympus · 2013 | A5100Sony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £179Best | £200 |
| Sensor | 16.3MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 16.3MP | 24.3MPBest |
| Video | Full HD 1080p/30 | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Dual Fast AF: 37-point on-sensor phase detect + 81-area contrast AF, face and eye detection | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis in-body stabilisation, 4 stops (CIPA) | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 10fps (6.5fps with continuous AF)Best | 6fps |
| Battery Life | ~350 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 497g (with battery) | 224g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | 130.4 × 93.5 × 63.1mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | YesBest | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | OLED EVF, 2.36M dots, 1.48x | No viewfinder |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD slot | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0 multi-connector, micro HDMI, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic jack, RM-UC1 remote | 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
OM-D E-M1
A5100
Portrait
5.8/10
5.4/10
Street
6.0/10
7.0/10
Travel
5.8/10
6.4/10
Wedding & Events
4.8/10
3.5/10
Documentary
5.1/10
4.1/10
Sports & Action
6.0/10
4.7/10
Landscape
4.6/10
5.0/10
Wildlife
6.7/10
5.5/10
Casual
4.3/10
5.2/10
Food
5.6/10
5.9/10
Macro
6.9/10
5.2/10
Architecture
4.3/10
5.2/10
Astrophotography
5.4/10
4.7/10
Vlogging & Video
—
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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