Decision tools · Compare
OM-D E-M1X vs A5100
Quick take: The A5100 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the A5100 is the most affordable.
Where the OM-D E-M1X wins
- Burst Rate: 60fps (18fps with continuous AF)
- Battery Life: ~870 shots (CIPA)
- Portrait: 6.9 vs 5.4
- Wedding & Events: 7.0 vs 3.5
- Documentary: 5.8 vs 4.1
Where the A5100 wins
- Cheaper new: £102 vs £479
- Resolution: 24.3MP
- Weight: 224g (body only)
- Street: 7.0 vs 5.4
- Travel: 6.4 vs 4.8
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
- OM-D E-M1X 144 × 147 × 75 mm · 997 g
- A5100 110 × 63 × 36 mm · 283 g
The A5100 is 34 mm narrower, 84 mm shorter, 39 mm slimmer and 714 g lighter than the OM-D E-M1X.
Drawn to scale from the makers' dimensions (W × H × D). Front shown, depth on the slanted edge.
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-M1XOlympus · 2019 | A5100Sony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £479 used | £102 usedBest |
| Sensor | 20.4MP Four Thirds Live MOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 20.4MP | 24.3MPBest |
| Video | 4K/30p, C4K/24p, Full HD 120p | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | 121-point cross-type on-sensor phase detect + contrast, Intelligent Subject Detection | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | Sensor-shift in-body stabilisation | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 60fps (18fps with continuous AF)Best | 6fps |
| Battery Life | ~870 shots (CIPA)Best | ~400 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 997g (with battery) | 224g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | 144.4 × 146.8 × 75.4mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 100% coverage, 1.48-1.65x (50 mm lens) | No viewfinder |
| Screen | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD slots | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, micro HDMI, 3.5mm mic + headphone, PC sync, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS | 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-M1X
A5100
Portrait
6.9/10
5.4/10
Street
5.4/10
7.0/10
Travel
4.8/10
6.4/10
Wedding & Events
7.0/10
3.5/10
Vlogging & Video
4.6/10
4.8/10
Filmmaking
5.7/10
—
Documentary
5.8/10
4.1/10
Sports & Action
7.7/10
4.7/10
Landscape
5.2/10
5.0/10
Wildlife
7.7/10
5.5/10
Casual
4.3/10
5.2/10
Food
6.6/10
5.9/10
Macro
6.0/10
5.2/10
Architecture
6.0/10
5.2/10
Astrophotography
4.8/10
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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