A5100vs A6400
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Casual & Travel — A5100 (2014): 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.
Content Creation & Vlogging — A6400 (2019): The best value APS-C Sony you can buy — especially used. Real-time Eye AF at this price point was transformative when it launched and still makes it one of the most reliable autofocus systems in the lineup.
Who should buy what
A5100 (2014)
- Beginners stepping up from a smartphone
- Compact travel photographers
- Casual vloggers who want APS-C quality
A6400 (2019)
- Vloggers and content creators who need a flip screen and reliable AF
- Photographers upgrading from a compact or smartphone
- Beginners who want room to grow into a full E-mount lens ecosystem
- Anyone prioritising autofocus performance at an accessible price
Quick take: The a5100 has the highest resolution at 24mp; the a5100 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | A5100 (2014) | A6400 (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £200 | £899 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS | 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS BSI |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 24.2MP |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 4K/30p (6K oversampled, no crop), 1080p/120p slow-motion |
| Autofocus | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection | Phase-detect, 425 points, real-time Eye AF & animal AF |
| Stabilisation | None | None (no IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 6fps | 11fps mechanical, 8fps with AF tracking |
| Battery Life | ~400 shots (CIPA) | ~410 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 224g (body only) | 403g (body, battery, card) |
| Dimensions | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm | 120.0 × 66.9 × 59.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | None | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.70× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 180° flip for selfie/vlog, 921k dots |
| Mount | Sony E-mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot | Single SD UHS-I |
| Connectivity | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, NFC | Micro-USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A5100 | A6400 |
|---|---|---|
| Casual | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Street | ||
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Video | — | |
| Wildlife | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history