Decision tools · Compare
PEN-F vs A5100
Quick take: The A5100 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the A5100 is the most affordable.
Where the PEN-F wins
- Burst Rate: 10fps
- Architecture: 5.7 vs 5.2
Where the A5100 wins
- Cheaper new: £102 vs £445
- Resolution: 24.3MP
- Battery Life: ~400 shots (CIPA)
- Weight: 224g (body only)
- Travel: 6.4 vs 5.8
16 specs side by side·15 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.
Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more
Size comparedbody only, no lens · drawn to one scale
- PEN-F 125 × 72 × 37 mm · 427 g
- A5100 110 × 63 × 36 mm · 283 g
The A5100 is 15 mm narrower, 9 mm shorter and 144 g lighter than the PEN-F.
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 | PEN-FOlympus · 2016 | A5100Sony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £445 used | £102 usedBest |
| Sensor | 20.3MP Four Thirds Live MOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 20.3MP | 24.3MPBest |
| Video | Full HD 1080p/60 | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF (FAST AF), 81 areas, face / eye detection | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | Sensor-shift in-body stabilisation | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 10fpsBest | 6fps |
| Battery Life | ~330 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 427g (with battery) | 224g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | 124.8 × 72.1 × 37.3mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | OLED EVF, 2.36M dots, 100%, 1.08-1.23x | 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 | Single SD slot | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | USB, micro HDMI, hot shoe + PC sync, 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
PEN-F
A5100
Portrait
5.1/10
5.4/10
Street
6.8/10
7.0/10
Travel
5.8/10
6.4/10
Wedding & Events
3.6/10
3.5/10
Vlogging & Video
3.9/10
4.8/10
Documentary
3.3/10
4.1/10
Sports & Action
5.0/10
4.7/10
Landscape
5.0/10
5.0/10
Wildlife
5.7/10
5.5/10
Casual
4.4/10
5.2/10
Food
6.0/10
5.9/10
Macro
5.5/10
5.2/10
Architecture
5.7/10
5.2/10
Astrophotography
4.1/10
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 →
Next
More comparisons with PEN-F
Camera family history