Upgrade Guide
Sony Sony A9 III→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 Sony A9 III. Spend the money on glass instead.
Unchanged or similar
-
ResolutionSimilar (24MP)
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Weather sealingNot present in new body
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StabilisationIBIS not present in new body
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Sony A9 III | A5100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sports & Action | -2.5 | ||
| Wildlife | — | ||
| Wedding & Events | — | ||
| Portrait | -1.5 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | — | ||
| Travel | +4.5 | ||
| Casual | — | ||
| Street | — | ||
| Landscape | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | Sony A9 III | A5100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £5,999 | £200 | |
| Released | 2023 | 2014 | ↓ |
| Sensor | 24.6MP full-frame Exmor RS CMOS (global shutter) | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS | |
| Resolution | 25MP | 24MP | ↓ |
| Video | 4K/120p, 4K/60p, 1080p/240p | 1080p/60p | |
| Autofocus | AI subject recognition AF, 759-point phase-detect | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection | |
| Stabilisation | 8-stop IBIS | None | |
| Burst Rate | 120fps blackout-free electronic | 6fps | ↓ |
| Battery Life | 530 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 703g body only | 224g (body only) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No | ↓ |
| Viewfinder | 0.64" Quad-XGA OLED EVF, 9.44M dots | None | |
| Screen | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots | |
| Mount | Sony FE (E-mount) | Sony E-mount | |
| Memory Cards | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
Compare side-by-side
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