Sigma
fp L 2021
Best for High-resolution creative & documentary shooters
£1999
new today at Wex Photo Video
Decision tools · Compare
fp L vs A5100
Quick take: The fp L has the highest resolution at 61MP; the A5100 is the most affordable; only the fp L 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.
Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more
Verdictwhich should you buy?
fp L — High-Resolution Creative & Documentary Shooters: 61MP and phase-detect AF in the world's smallest full-frame body — the fp L is the most capable iteration of Sigma's extraordinary compact.
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
fp L (2021)
is the right camera for you if…
- Commercial photographers who want 61MP in the world's smallest full-frame body
- Filmmakers using the fp L as a high-resolution cinema camera
- fp owners who need more resolution for large-format printing
- L-mount photographers who want extreme resolution in an ultra-compact form
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 | fp LSigma · 2021 | A5100Sony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,999 | £102 usedBest |
| Sensor | 61MP full-frame BSI CMOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 61.0MPBest | 24.3MP |
| Video | 12-bit CinemaDNG RAW, 4K/30p | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect AF with face/eye detection | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | None (lens-based only) | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 18fps electronicBest | 6fps |
| Battery Life | 200 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 427g (body only) | 224g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | 112.6 × 69.9 × 45.3mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | YesBest | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | None (optional clip-on EVF available) | No viewfinder |
| Screen | 3.15" fixed touchscreen | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Leica L-mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C 3.1, 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
fp L
A5100
Portrait
6.7/10
5.4/10
Street
6.9/10
7.0/10
Travel
6.5/10
6.4/10
Wedding & Events
4.9/10
3.5/10
Filmmaking
5.3/10
—
Documentary
6.2/10
4.1/10
Sports & Action
6.7/10
4.7/10
Landscape
6.9/10
5.0/10
Wildlife
7.0/10
5.5/10
Casual
5.1/10
5.2/10
Food
6.2/10
5.9/10
Macro
5.3/10
5.2/10
Architecture
6.6/10
5.2/10
Astrophotography
5.5/10
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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