Clicky

Sony QX1 vs Sony a5100

Portability
90
Imaging
62
Features
48
Overall
56
Sony Alpha QX1 front
 
Sony Alpha a5100 front
Portability
89
Imaging
65
Features
74
Overall
68

Sony QX1 vs Sony a5100 Key Specs

Sony QX1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • " Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 216g - 74 x 70 x 53mm
  • Revealed September 2014
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
  • Older Model is Sony a5000
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sony QX1 vs Sony a5100 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Sony QX1 and Sony a5100, one being a Lens-style and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both created by Sony. The sensor resolution of the QX1 (20MP) and the a5100 (24MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The QX1 was launched around the same time to the a5100 so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras have different body design with the Sony QX1 being a Lens-style camera and the Sony a5100 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the QX1 matches up vs the a5100 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

        

Reasons to pick Sony QX1 over the Sony a5100

 QX1 a5100 

Reasons to pick Sony a5100 over the Sony QX1

 a5100 QX1 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3""Bigger screen (+3")
Screen resolution922k0kSharper screen (+922k dot)

Common features in the Sony QX1 and Sony a5100

 QX1 a5100 
LaunchedSeptember 2014August 2014Same generation
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Sony QX1 vs Sony a5100 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Sony QX1 offers outer dimensions of 74mm x 70mm x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1") with a weight of 216 grams (0.48 lbs) while the Sony a5100 has dimensions of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") with a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

Analyze the Sony QX1 and Sony a5100 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have during that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the QX1 compared to the a5100.

Sony QX1 vs Sony a5100 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the QX1 and a5100 is 90 and 89 respectively.

Sony QX1 vs Sony a5100 top view buttons comparison

Sony QX1 vs Sony a5100 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing only by going through technical specs. The visual underneath might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the QX1 and a5100.

As you can tell, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Sony a5100 to produce greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots more aggressively.

Sony QX1 vs Sony a5100 sensor size comparison

Sony QX1 vs Sony a5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony QX1 vs Sony a5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony QX1 Portrait photography details
Sony a5100 Portrait photography details
65
manual focus
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
72
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
can't use external flash
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Sony QX1 as a Street photography camera
Sony a5100 as a Street photography camera
69
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
supports focus via touch
no moving screen
no image stabilization
heavier than competitors in class (216g)
82
screen tilts up and down
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
has touch to focus
great ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony QX1
Sports photography with Sony a5100
56
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
better than average battery power (440 per charge)
slow frames per second (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
68
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
good battery pack (400 CIPA)
has phase detect autofocus
low fps (6.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Sony QX1 Travel photography highlights
Sony a5100 Travel photography highlights
71
better than average battery power (440 per charge)
supports focus via touch
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors in class (216g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
80
good battery pack (400 shots)
has touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Sony QX1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony a5100 as a Landscape photography camera
63
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (440 CIPA)
small screen (")
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse mode
79
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
great ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (400 shots)
does not have image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Sony QX1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony a5100 as a Vlogging camera
32
touchscreen enabled
provides face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
does not have external mic port
heavier than competitors in class (216g)
34
screen is touchscreen
has face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have microphone support
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sony QX1 vs Sony a5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony QX1 and Sony a5100
 Sony Alpha QX1Sony Alpha a5100
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha QX1 Sony Alpha a5100
Category Lens-style Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2014-09-03 2014-08-17
Physical type Lens-style Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz X Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.2 x 15.4mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 357.3mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5456 x 3632 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 16000 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
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 25 179
Lens
Lens support Sony E Sony E
Available lenses - 121
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing - 3 inch
Resolution of screen 0k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Off, auto, fill, slow sync, rear sync Flash off, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (120p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 216g (0.48 pounds) 283g (0.62 pounds)
Physical dimensions 74 x 70 x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1") 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 80
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 1347
Other
Battery life 440 photos 400 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FW50 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2, 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous (3-5 shot))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Storage type microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $500 $448