Decision tools · Compare
A5100 vs A6000
Quick take: The A5100 is the most affordable.
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.
A6000 — Entry-Level Mirrorless & Budget E-Mount: The Sony that started a generation of E-mount loyalty — 11fps, 24MP, and 179 phase-detect points in a compact body that remained excellent value for nearly a decade.
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
A6000 (2014)
is the right camera for you if…
- First-time mirrorless buyers who want a capable, proven body at the lowest price
- Sony E-mount users who want a compact backup or second body
- Parents and travellers who want good image quality without a large camera
- Anyone curious about APS-C mirrorless who wants to try the system affordably
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | A5100Sony · 2014 | A6000Sony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £102 usedBest | £125 used |
| Sensor | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor APS HD CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 24.3MP |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection | 179 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect AF points |
| Stabilisation | No stabilisation | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 6fps | 11fpsBest |
| Battery Life | ~400 shots (CIPA)Best | ~360 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 224g (body only)Best | 344g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm | 119.9 × 66.9 × 45.1mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | No viewfinder | EVF, OLED 1.44M dots, 0.70× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots | 3.0" tilting LCD, 921k dots (no touch) |
| Mount | Sony E-mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, NFC | 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
A5100
A6000
Portrait
5.4/10
6.3/10
Street
7.0/10
7.6/10
Travel
6.4/10
6.5/10
Wedding & Events
3.5/10
4.6/10
Vlogging & Video
4.7/10
—
Documentary
4.1/10
4.0/10
Sports & Action
4.7/10
6.2/10
Landscape
5.0/10
4.8/10
Wildlife
5.5/10
6.7/10
Casual
5.2/10
4.4/10
Food
5.9/10
5.5/10
Macro
5.2/10
5.0/10
Architecture
5.2/10
5.2/10
Astrophotography
4.7/10
4.6/10
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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