A5100vs ZV-1 II
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.
Pocket Vlogging — ZV-1 II (2023): The best pocket vlogging camera — 1-inch sensor, ultrawide zoom, flip screen, and real-time Eye AF in a shirt pocket.
Who should buy what
A5100 (2014)
- Beginners stepping up from a smartphone
- Compact travel photographers
- Casual vloggers who want APS-C quality
ZV-1 II (2023)
- Vloggers and content creators who want a pocketable fixed-lens camera
- Travellers who want 4K video and a flip screen in a jacket-pocket size
- ZV-1 owners who want a wider lens and improved subject tracking
- Beginners who want a simple, capable vlogging camera without changing lenses
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) | ZV-1 II (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £200 | £649 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS | 20.1MP 1-inch Exmor RS CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 20.1MP |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection | Phase-detect + contrast, 315 points, Real-time Eye AF |
| Stabilisation | None | Optical SteadyShot (OIS) |
| Burst Rate | 6fps | 15fps |
| Battery Life | ~400 shots (CIPA) | ~260 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 224g (body only) | 292g |
| Dimensions | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm | 105.5 × 60.0 × 43.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Screen | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots | 3.0" fully tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Sony E-mount | Fixed zoom — 18–50mm f/1.8–4.0 equiv |
| Memory Cards | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, NFC | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic input |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A5100 | ZV-1 II |
|---|---|---|
| Casual | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Street | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Family & Everyday | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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