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Sony A7 vs Sony a5100

Portability
78
Imaging
70
Features
80
Overall
74
Sony Alpha A7 front
 
Sony Alpha a5100 front
Portability
89
Imaging
65
Features
74
Overall
68

Sony A7 vs Sony a5100 Key Specs

Sony A7
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 50 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 474g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Revealed January 2014
  • Replacement is Sony A7 II
Sony a5100
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 283g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
  • Introduced August 2014
  • Older Model is Sony a5000
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Sony A7 vs Sony a5100 Overview

Here is a in depth assessment of the Sony A7 vs Sony a5100, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are built by Sony. The image resolution of the A7 (24MP) and the a5100 (24MP) is pretty similar but the A7 (Full frame) and a5100 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor measurements.

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The A7 was announced 6 months prior to the a5100 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A7 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony a5100 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise summation of how the A7 scores versus the a5100 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7 over the Sony a5100

 A7 a5100 
Screen resolution1230k922kClearer screen (+308k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony a5100 over the Sony A7

 a5100 A7 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony A7 and Sony a5100

 A7 a5100 
IntroducedJanuary 2014August 2014Similar age
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Sony A7 vs Sony a5100 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera, you're going to have to take into account its weight and size. The Sony A7 offers exterior dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 474 grams (1.04 lbs) and the Sony a5100 has specifications of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") and a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

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

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the A7 and the a5100.

Sony A7 vs Sony a5100 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A7 and a5100 is 78 and 89 respectively.

Sony A7 vs Sony a5100 top view buttons comparison

Sony A7 vs Sony a5100 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing just by reading specifications. The photograph underneath should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the A7 and a5100.

Plainly, the two cameras offer the same exact megapixel count albeit not the same sensor sizing. The A7 offers the bigger sensor which should make getting shallow depth of field easier.

Sony A7 vs Sony a5100 sensor size comparison

Sony A7 vs Sony a5100 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony a5100 as a Portrait photography camera
82
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW files
72
focusing manually
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
exports RAW files
no external flash support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony A7
Street photography with Sony a5100
79
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
lighter than competition (474 grams)
great ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
82
has a tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
offers touch focus
good high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A7 Sports photography advice
Sony a5100 Sports photography advice
66
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
weather proof
supports phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low battery life (340 CIPA)
68
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
good battery power (400 shots)
sensor has phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Sony A7 Travel photography details
Sony a5100 Travel photography details
69
lighter than competition (474 grams)
weather proof
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
low battery life (340 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
80
good battery power (400 CIPA)
offers touch focus
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A7 Landscape photography details
Sony a5100 Landscape photography details
75
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3")
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
great ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
lack of image stabilization
low battery life (340 shots)
79
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
good battery power (400 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7 Vlogging information
Sony a5100 Vlogging information
35
supports face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with microphone support
lighter than competition (474g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
34
built-in touchscreen
features face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
no external mic jack
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Sony A7 vs Sony a5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7 and Sony a5100
 Sony Alpha A7Sony Alpha a5100
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha A7 Sony Alpha a5100
Class Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2014-01-22 2014-08-17
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz X Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.8 x 23.9mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 855.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 6000 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 25600 25600
Minimum native ISO 50 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 117 179
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount Sony E Sony E
Amount of lenses 121 121
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Tilting Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,230k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology Xtra Fine LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes no built-in flash Flash off, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 474 gr (1.04 pounds) 283 gr (0.62 pounds)
Dimensions 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 90 80
DXO Color Depth score 24.8 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score 14.2 12.7
DXO Low light score 2248 1347
Other
Battery life 340 photographs 400 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FW50 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 With downloadable app
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $798 $448