Decision tools · Compare
A5100 vs A7R
Quick take: The A7R has the highest resolution at 36MP; the A5100 is the most affordable; only the A7R 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.
A7R — Studio, Tripod Landscape & Camera History: The world's first 36MP full-frame mirrorless — a landmark camera that launched the A7R series, despite contrast-detect AF and significant shutter shock limitations.
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
A7R (2013)
is the right camera for you if…
- Collectors and photographers interested in the camera that started the A7R lineage
- Studio photographers who work on a tripod and can manage contrast-detect AF
- Landscape photographers who prioritise resolution over autofocus performance
- Sony FE system users who want a historical body at a very low used price
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | A5100Sony · 2014 | A7RSony · 2013 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £102 usedBest | £1,999 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS | 36.4MP Full-Frame CMOS (no OLPF) |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 36.4MPBest |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection | Contrast-detect AF only (no phase-detect on sensor) |
| Stabilisation | No stabilisation | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 6fpsBest | 4fps |
| Battery Life | ~400 shots (CIPA)Best | ~340 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 224g (body only)Best | 465g (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
A7R
Portrait
5.4/10
5.8/10
Street
7.0/10
5.7/10
Travel
6.4/10
5.7/10
Wedding & Events
3.5/10
4.4/10
Vlogging & Video
4.7/10
—
Documentary
4.1/10
4.9/10
Sports & Action
4.7/10
4.5/10
Landscape
5.0/10
6.3/10
Wildlife
5.5/10
5.4/10
Casual
5.2/10
3.7/10
Food
5.9/10
5.6/10
Macro
5.2/10
5.0/10
Architecture
5.2/10
6.1/10
Astrophotography
4.7/10
5.4/10
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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