Upgrade Guide
Sony A7 IV→Sony A5100
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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The A5100 offers little measurable spec improvement over the A7 IV. Spend the money on glass instead.
Unchanged or similar
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Resolution24MP (down from 33MP — optimised for low light)
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Weather sealingNot present in new body
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StabilisationIBIS not present in new body
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A7 IV | A5100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Portraits | — | ||
| Outdoor Portraits | — | ||
| Wedding & Events | — | ||
| Vlogging & Video | -2.0 | ||
| Landscape | -2.5 | ||
| Sports & Action | -0.5 | ||
| Casual | — | ||
| Travel | — | ||
| Portrait | — | ||
| Street | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | A7 IV | A5100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,299 | £200 | |
| Released | 2021 | 2014 | ↓ |
| Sensor | 33MP Full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS | |
| Resolution | 33MP | 24MP | ↓ |
| Video | 4K/60p oversampled, 10-bit internal, S-Log3, S-Cinetone | 1080p/60p | |
| Autofocus | 759-point phase-detect, AI subject recognition | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection | |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops | None | |
| Burst Rate | 10fps mechanical, 30fps electronic | 6fps | ↓ |
| Battery Life | ~580 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 659g body only | 224g (body only) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No | ↓ |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification | None | |
| Screen | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots | |
| Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) | Sony E-mount | |
| Memory Cards | Dual slots: CFexpress Type A + SD UHS-II | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
Compare side-by-side
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