Canon 5D MII vs Sony a5100

Here, we will be matching up the Canon 5D MII vs Sony a5100, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the 5D MII (21MP) and the a5100 (24MP) is pretty similar but the 5D MII (Full frame) and a5100 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor size.

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The 5D MII was brought out 6 years prior to the a5100 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Canon 5D MII being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony a5100 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summary of how the 5D MII grades against the a5100 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon EOS 5D Mark II & Sony Alpha a5100. The entire galleries are provided at Canon 5D MII Gallery & Sony a5100 Gallery.

If you're going to carry your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Canon 5D MII offers physical dimensions of 152mm x 114mm x 75mm (6.0" x 4.5" x 3.0") with a weight of 850 grams (1.87 lbs) whilst the Sony a5100 has specifications of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") along with a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

Check out the Canon 5D MII vs Sony a5100 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the 5D MII against the a5100.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 5D MII and a5100 is 56 and 89 respectively.

Normally, it is very tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizing purely by going over technical specs. The graphic below might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the 5D MII and a5100.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The 5D MII due to its bigger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Sony a5100 will deliver extra detail having its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots way more aggressively. The older 5D MII is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.