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Sony A9 vs Sony a5100

Portability
65
Imaging
74
Features
93
Overall
81
Sony Alpha A9 front
 
Sony Alpha a5100 front
Portability
89
Imaging
66
Features
74
Overall
69

Sony A9 vs Sony a5100 Key Specs

Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Released April 2017
  • Replacement is Sony A9 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
  • Launched August 2014
  • Replaced the Sony a5000
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Sony A9 vs Sony a5100 Overview

Following is a extensive analysis of the Sony A9 and Sony a5100, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are built by Sony. The image resolution of the A9 (24MP) and the a5100 (24MP) is relatively well matched but the A9 (Full frame) and a5100 (APS-C) have different sensor measurements.

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The A9 was introduced 2 years after the a5100 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony a5100 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief summation of how the A9 matches up versus the a5100 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Sony a5100

 A9 a5100 
LaunchedApril 2017August 2014More modern by 33 months
Screen resolution1440k922kSharper screen (+518k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony a5100 over the Sony A9

 a5100 A9 

Common features in the Sony A9 and Sony a5100

 A9 a5100 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Sony A9 vs Sony a5100 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera, you will want to consider its weight and measurements. The Sony A9 has physical measurements of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") along with a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs) while the Sony a5100 has proportions of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") with a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

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Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the A9 vs the a5100.

Sony A9 vs Sony a5100 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the A9 and a5100 is 65 and 89 respectively.

Sony A9 vs Sony a5100 top view buttons comparison

Sony A9 vs Sony a5100 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes just by looking at specifications. The image here may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the A9 and a5100.

Plainly, both of the cameras come with the identical MP albeit different sensor sizes. The A9 offers the bigger sensor which will make getting shallower depth of field simpler. The fresher A9 should have an edge in sensor technology.

Sony A9 vs Sony a5100 sensor size comparison

Sony A9 vs Sony a5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A9 vs Sony a5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A9 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony a5100 as a Portrait photography camera
84
you can focus manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
comes with face detection focus
supports RAW formats
72
manual focus
MP count decent (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
saves RAW formats
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Sony A9 Street photography info
Sony a5100 Street photography info
79
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
environment sealing
good high ISO (51,200)
82
screen tilts up and down
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
features touch to focus
above average ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A9 as a Sports photography camera
Sony a5100 as a Sports photography camera
87
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
high frames per second (20.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
better than average battery pack (650 shots)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
68
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
better than average battery (400 per charge)
supports phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A9
Travel photography with Sony a5100
74
better than average battery pack (650 per charge)
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
good resolution (24MP)
display is not selfie friendly
80
better than average battery (400 shots)
features touch to focus
MP count decent (24MP)
flash built-in
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A9 Landscape photography information
Sony a5100 Landscape photography information
86
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
better than average battery pack (650 per charge)
has dual storage slots
79
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3")
MP count decent (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (400 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A9 Vlogging information
Sony a5100 Vlogging information
37
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external microphone jack
display is not selfie friendly
34
built-in touchscreen
supports face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
lack of external mic socket
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Sony A9 vs Sony a5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A9 and Sony a5100
 Sony Alpha A9Sony Alpha a5100
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A9 Sony Alpha a5100
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2017-04-19 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 dimensions 35.6 x 23.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 847.3mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 6000 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 51200 25600
Highest boosted ISO 204800 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Min boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
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 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,440 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,686 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate 20.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync Flash off, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
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, 25p), 1280 x 720 (120p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 673g (1.48 pounds) 283g (0.62 pounds)
Physical dimensions 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 92 80
DXO Color Depth rating 24.9 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.3 12.7
DXO Low light rating 3517 1347
Other
Battery life 650 pictures 400 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FZ100 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous) Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous (3-5 shot))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 2 One
Cost at launch $4,498 $448