Decision tools · Compare
A5100 vs A7 II
Quick take: The A5100 is the most affordable; only the A7 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?
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.
A7 II — Travel, Portrait: The camera that proved full-frame IBIS was possible in a compact body.
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
A7 II (2014)
is the right camera for you if…
- Photographers upgrading from APS-C who want full-frame on a budget
- Film shooters adapting vintage lenses (IBIS helps enormously)
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | A5100Sony · 2014 | A7 IISony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £102 usedBest | £288 used |
| Sensor | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS | Full-frame BSI CMOS 35mm |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 24.3MP |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 1080p 60fps |
| Autofocus | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection | 117-point phase-detect hybrid AF |
| Stabilisation | No stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 4.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 6fpsBest | 5fps |
| Battery Life | ~400 shots (CIPA)Best | 350 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 224g (body only)Best | 599g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm | 126.9 × 95.7 × 59.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | YesBest |
| Viewfinder | No viewfinder | EVF 0.71× 2.36M-dot |
| Screen | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots (no touch) |
| Mount | Sony E-mount | Sony E-Mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot | SD / Memory Stick Pro Duo |
| Connectivity | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, NFC | Wi-Fi, NFC, Micro USB, Micro HDMI |
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
A7 II
Portrait
5.4/10
6.8/10
Street
7.0/10
5.9/10
Travel
6.4/10
5.7/10
Wedding & Events
3.5/10
5.5/10
Vlogging & Video
4.7/10
—
Documentary
4.1/10
5.7/10
Sports & Action
4.7/10
5.8/10
Landscape
5.0/10
5.8/10
Wildlife
5.5/10
6.7/10
Casual
5.2/10
3.8/10
Food
5.9/10
6.0/10
Macro
5.2/10
5.5/10
Architecture
5.2/10
5.7/10
Astrophotography
4.7/10
6.4/10
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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