Upgrade Guide

Sony A5100→Sony A7R IV

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

You own

Sony

A5100

£200

2014

→

Upgrade to

Sony

A7R IV

£2199 (+£1,999)

2019

✅

Worthwhile

Clear improvements over the A5100. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.

What's new in the A7R IV

Suitability by genre

Full spec comparison

Spec	A5100	A7R IV
Price	£200	£2,199
Released	2014	2019	↑
Sensor	24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS	Full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS 35mm
Resolution	24MP	61MP	↑
Video	1080p/60p	4K 30fps
Autofocus	Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection	567-point phase-detect, real-time tracking
Stabilisation	None	5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops
Burst Rate	6fps	10fps	↑
Battery Life	~400 shots (CIPA)	670 shots (CIPA)	↑
Weight	224g (body only)	665g (body only)	↓
Weather Sealed	No	Yes	↑
Viewfinder	None	EVF 0.78× 5.76M-dot
Screen	3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots	3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.44M-dot
Mount	Sony E-mount	Sony E-Mount
Memory Cards	Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot	2× SD UHS-II / CFexpress Type A

Compare side-by-side

See A5100 and A7R IV next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.

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Other upgrades from the A5100

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Camera family history