Decision tools · Compare
A5100 vs A7
Quick take: The A5100 is the most affordable; only the A7 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 — Camera History & Full-Frame Introduction: The camera that changed photography — the world's first compact full-frame mirrorless, the A7 launched a product family that redefined what was possible.
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 (2013)
is the right camera for you if…
- Photographers interested in the camera that launched the full-frame mirrorless era
- Budget-conscious buyers who want to experience full-frame image quality at minimal cost
- Sony FE system users who want the original A7 for sentimental or historical value
- Those adapting vintage lenses who want full-frame with phase-detect AF at low cost
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | A5100Sony · 2014 | A7Sony · 2013 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £102 usedBest | £151 used |
| Sensor | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS | 24.3MP Full-Frame CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 24.3MP |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection | 117 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect AF points |
| Stabilisation | No stabilisation | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 6fpsBest | 5fps |
| Battery Life | ~400 shots (CIPA)Best | ~340 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 224g (body only)Best | 474g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | YesBest |
| Viewfinder | No viewfinder | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots (no touch) |
| Mount | Sony E-mount | Sony FE (full-frame 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
A7
Portrait
5.4/10
6.6/10
Street
7.0/10
6.2/10
Travel
6.4/10
6.0/10
Wedding & Events
3.5/10
5.3/10
Vlogging & Video
4.7/10
—
Documentary
4.1/10
5.6/10
Sports & Action
4.7/10
5.8/10
Landscape
5.0/10
5.8/10
Wildlife
5.5/10
6.5/10
Casual
5.2/10
3.9/10
Food
5.9/10
5.7/10
Macro
5.2/10
5.0/10
Architecture
5.2/10
5.6/10
Astrophotography
4.7/10
5.6/10
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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