Upgrade Guide

Sony A5100→Sony A7S II

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

You own

Sony

A5100

£200

2014

→

Upgrade to

Sony

A7S II

£799 (+£599)

2015

✅

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 A7S II

Unchanged or similar

Suitability by genre

Full spec comparison

Spec	A5100	A7S II
Price	£200	£799
Released	2014	2015	↑
Sensor	24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS	12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor CMOS
Resolution	24MP	12MP	↓
Video	1080p/60p	4K/30p internal (full sensor readout), 1080p/120p, S-Log2/S-Log3
Autofocus	Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection	169 phase-detect + 25 contrast AF — limited by modern standards
Stabilisation	None	5-axis IBIS — 4.5 stops (first Sony mirrorless with IBIS)
Burst Rate	6fps	5fps continuous	↓
Battery Life	~400 shots (CIPA)	~370 shots (CIPA)	↓
Weight	224g (body only)	584g body only	↓
Weather Sealed	No	Yes	↑
Viewfinder	None	EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification
Screen	3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots	3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots
Mount	Sony E-mount	Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount)
Memory Cards	Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot	Dual SD UHS-I slots

Compare side-by-side

See A5100 and A7S II next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.

Get a personalised upgrade score

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Other upgrades from the A5100

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Camera family history