Decision tools · Compare
OM-D E-M5 Mark II vs A5100
Quick take: The A5100 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the A5100 is the most affordable; only the OM-D E-M5 Mark II 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?
OM-D E-M5 Mark II — Travel & Landscape: The E-M5 II was the benchmark weather-sealed travel camera of its generation. The 16MP sensor is modest by today's standards but excellent in practice, and the 5-axis IBIS is genuinely useful. Weather sealing, a flip screen, and a high-res composite mode make it a practical companion. A highly capable used-market buy for travel and outdoor photographers who don't need the latest resolution numbers.
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
OM-D E-M5 Mark II (2015)
is the right camera for you if…
- Travel photographers wanting compact + weather sealing
- Outdoor and landscape shooters
- Micro Four Thirds system users
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-M5 Mark IIOlympus · 2015 | A5100Sony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £124 used | £102 usedBest |
| Sensor | 16MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 16.0MP | 24.3MPBest |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF, face detection | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5.0 stops | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 10fpsBest | 6fps |
| Battery Life | ~310 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 417g (with battery and card) | 224g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | 123.7 × 85.0 × 44.5mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | YesBest | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.74× magnification | No viewfinder |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, 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
OM-D E-M5 Mark II
A5100
Portrait
5.0/10
5.4/10
Street
5.9/10
7.0/10
Travel
5.8/10
6.4/10
Wedding & Events
4.0/10
3.5/10
Vlogging & Video
4.2/10
4.7/10
Documentary
4.6/10
4.1/10
Sports & Action
5.4/10
4.7/10
Landscape
5.4/10
5.0/10
Wildlife
6.1/10
5.5/10
Casual
4.3/10
5.2/10
Food
5.9/10
5.9/10
Macro
7.1/10
5.2/10
Architecture
5.4/10
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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