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Upgrade Guide

Sony A5100Sony A7

Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.

A5100
You own
Sony
A5100
£200
2014
View on GearFrame →
A7
Upgrade to
Sony
A7
£299 (+£99)
2013
View on GearFrame →
Skip it
The A7 offers little measurable spec improvement over the A5100. Spend the money on glass instead.
Unchanged or similar
Suitability by genre
Genre A5100 A7
Casual
9.0
Travel
8.5
7.0
-1.5
Portrait
7.5
9.0
+1.5
Street
7.5
7.0
-0.5
Vlogging & Video
7.0
4.0
-3.0
Landscape
6.5
9.0
+2.5
Sports & Action
6.5
4.0
-2.5
Full spec comparison
Spec A5100 A7
Price £200 £299
Released 2014 2013
Sensor 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS 24.3MP Full-Frame CMOS
Resolution 24MP 24MP
Video 1080p/60p 1080p/60p
Autofocus Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection 117 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect AF points
Stabilisation None None
Burst Rate 6fps 5fps
Battery Life ~400 shots (CIPA) ~340 shots (CIPA)
Weight 224g (body only) 474g (with battery and card)
Weather Sealed No No
Viewfinder None EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification
Screen 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots (no tilt, 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
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