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Sony A7 III vs Sony a5100

Portability
63
Imaging
73
Features
92
Overall
80
Sony Alpha A7 III front
 
Sony Alpha a5100 front
Portability
89
Imaging
65
Features
74
Overall
68

Sony A7 III vs Sony a5100 Key Specs

Sony A7 III
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 650g - 127 x 96 x 74mm
  • Announced February 2018
  • Superseded the Sony A7 II
  • Later Model is Sony A7 IV
Sony a5100
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 283g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
  • Released August 2014
  • Older Model is Sony a5000
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Sony A7 III vs Sony a5100 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Sony A7 III vs Sony a5100, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are offered by Sony. The resolution of the A7 III (24MP) and the a5100 (24MP) is very close but the A7 III (Full frame) and a5100 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The A7 III was released 3 years later than the a5100 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Sony A7 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony a5100 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the A7 III scores against the a5100 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7 III over the Sony a5100

 A7 III a5100 
ReleasedFebruary 2018August 2014Fresher by 43 months

Reasons to pick Sony a5100 over the Sony A7 III

 a5100 A7 III 

Common features in the Sony A7 III and Sony a5100

 A7 III a5100 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Display resolution922k922kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Sony A7 III vs Sony a5100 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Sony A7 III features external dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) while the Sony a5100 has dimensions of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

Check the Sony A7 III vs Sony a5100 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the A7 III versus the a5100.

Sony A7 III vs Sony a5100 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A7 III and a5100 is 63 and 89 respectively.

Sony A7 III vs Sony a5100 top view buttons comparison

Sony A7 III vs Sony a5100 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing merely by viewing specs. The graphic below may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the A7 III and a5100.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras have the same megapixels but not the same sensor sizing. The A7 III contains the larger sensor which will make obtaining shallow depth of field less difficult. The newer A7 III will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Sony A7 III vs Sony a5100 sensor size comparison

Sony A7 III vs Sony a5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7 III vs Sony a5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7 III as a Portrait photography camera
Sony a5100 as a Portrait photography camera
83
you can focus manually
MP count decent (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
72
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
can't use external flash
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony A7 III
Street photography with Sony a5100
78
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
includes touch focus
environment proof
good high ISO (51,200)
82
tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
features focus by touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A7 III
Sports photography with Sony a5100
86
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proof
better than average battery (610 CIPA)
has phase detect AF
68
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
good battery life (400 shots)
supports phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A7 III
Travel photography with Sony a5100
73
better than average battery (610 shots)
environment proof
supports bluetooth
includes touch focus
MP count decent (24MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
80
good battery life (400 CIPA)
features focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
built-in flash
does not have a selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Sony A7 III as a Landscape photography camera
Sony a5100 as a Landscape photography camera
85
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
better than average battery (610 CIPA)
has dual storage slots
79
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (400 shots)
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7 III Vlogging info
Sony a5100 Vlogging info
36
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has external microphone jack
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
34
touch screen
supports face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
does not have external microphone socket
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Sony A7 III vs Sony a5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7 III and Sony a5100
 Sony Alpha A7 IIISony Alpha a5100
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A7 III Sony Alpha a5100
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2018-02-27 2014-08-17
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz X Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.8 x 23.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 852.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 51200 25600
Maximum enhanced ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 693 179
Lens
Lens support Sony E Sony E
Number of lenses 121 121
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 922k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings no built-in flash Flash off, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (120p, 60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (120p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 650 gr (1.43 pounds) 283 gr (0.62 pounds)
Physical dimensions 127 x 96 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 96 80
DXO Color Depth rating 25.0 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.7 12.7
DXO Low light rating 3730 1347
Other
Battery life 610 images 400 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FZ100 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous (3-5 shot))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Two 1
Cost at release $1,998 $448