A5100vs Sony FX30
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.
Video Creators & Filmmakers — Sony FX30 (2022): The Cinema Line entry point — S-Cinetone colour science, 4K/120p, and XLR audio in a compact, affordable body that punches far above its price.
Who should buy what
A5100 (2014)
- Beginners stepping up from a smartphone
- Compact travel photographers
- Casual vloggers who want APS-C quality
Sony FX30 (2022)
- Filmmakers and video creators who want a dedicated cinema-style APS-C body
- Content creators who need S-Cinetone and S-Log3 in a compact form factor
- A6700 owners who want cinema-style ergonomics and a full-size HDMI port
- Video professionals who want Sony's colour science without full-frame pricing
Quick take: The sony fx30 has the highest resolution at 26mp; the a5100 is the most affordable; only the sony fx30 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | A5100 (2014) | Sony FX30 (2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £200 | £1,799 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS | 26.1MP APS-C BSI Exmor R CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 26.1MP |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 4K/120p, 4K/60p S-Log3, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection | Real-time tracking AF, 759-point phase-detect |
| Stabilisation | None | 5-axis Active IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 6fps | 20fps electronic |
| Battery Life | ~400 shots (CIPA) | 740 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 224g (body only) | 579g body only |
| Dimensions | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm | 129.7 × 77.8 × 84.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | None | None (EVF optional via XLR handle) |
| Screen | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Sony E-mount | Sony FE (E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, NFC | USB-C 3.2, HDMI A, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A5100 | Sony FX30 |
|---|---|---|
| Casual | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Street | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Landscape | — | |
| Sports & Action | ||
| Documentary | — | |
| Wedding & Events | — |
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