Upgrade Guide
Sony SLT-A65→Sony A5100
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Situational
One clear hardware improvement over the SLT-A65. Worth it if that specific upgrade aligns with what you shoot.
What's new in the A5100
-
Generation3 years newer (2014 vs 2011)
Unchanged or similar
-
ResolutionSimilar (24MP)
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | SLT-A65 | A5100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -0.4 | ||
| Street | +1.3 | ||
| Travel | +1.4 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -1.1 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | +0.8 | ||
| Documentary | -0.2 | ||
| Sports & Action | -0.4 | ||
| Landscape | +0.2 | ||
| Wildlife | — | ||
| Casual | +1.6 | ||
| Food | +0.4 | ||
| Macro | +1.2 | ||
| Architecture | +0.1 | ||
| Astrophotography | +0.3 | ||
| Fun & simple | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | SLT-A65 | A5100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | — | £102 used | |
| Released | 2011 | 2014 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 24.3MP APS-C CMOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS | |
| Resolution | 24MP | 24MP | |
| Video | Full HD 1080p/60 | 1080p/60p | |
| Autofocus | 15-point phase-detect AF (3 cross-type) via the translucent mirror, full-time in live view and video | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection | |
| Stabilisation | In-body stabilisation | No stabilisation | |
| Burst Rate | 10fps (8fps with continuous AF) | 6fps | ↓ |
| Battery Life | ~510 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 622g (with battery) | 224g (body only) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed | |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 0.5", 100% coverage, 1.09x | No viewfinder | |
| Screen | 3.0" tilt-swivel LCD, 921k dots | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots | |
| Mount | Minolta/Sony A | Sony E-mount | |
| Memory Cards | Single SD slot | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See SLT-A65 and A5100 next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
Get a personalised upgrade score
Run the upgrade checker →
Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the A5100 against your specific genres — not just specs.
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