Upgrade Guide
Sony A9→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 A9. Spend the money on glass instead.
Unchanged or similar
-
ResolutionSimilar (24MP)
-
Weather sealingNot present in new body
-
StabilisationIBIS not present in new body
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A9 | A5100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sports & Action | -2.5 | ||
| Wildlife | — | ||
| Wedding & Events | — | ||
| Portrait | -1.5 | ||
| Travel | +1.5 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | +3.0 | ||
| Casual | — | ||
| Street | — | ||
| Landscape | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | A9 | A5100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,999 | £200 | |
| Released | 2017 | 2014 | ↓ |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS | |
| Resolution | 24MP | 24MP | ↑ |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p | 1080p/60p | |
| Autofocus | 693 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect, real-time eye/body tracking | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection | |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5 stops | None | |
| Burst Rate | 20fps (blackout-free, silent electronic shutter with full AF/AE) | 6fps | ↓ |
| Battery Life | ~650 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 673g (with battery and card) | 224g (body only) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No | ↓ |
| Viewfinder | EVF, OLED 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification, 60fps refresh (blackout-free) | None | |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots | |
| Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) | Sony E-mount | |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
Compare side-by-side
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