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Sony a5100 vs Sony A6500

Portability
89
Imaging
65
Features
74
Overall
68
Sony Alpha a5100 front
 
Sony Alpha a6500 front
Portability
81
Imaging
67
Features
85
Overall
74

Sony a5100 vs Sony A6500 Key Specs

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
Sony A6500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 453g - 120 x 67 x 53mm
  • Released October 2016
  • Older Model is Sony A6300
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Sony a5100 vs Sony A6500 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Sony a5100 vs Sony A6500, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless and both of them are designed by Sony. The image resolution of the a5100 (24MP) and the A6500 (24MP) is relatively similar and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The a5100 was launched 3 years prior to the A6500 and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple overview of how the a5100 grades against the A6500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony a5100 over the Sony A6500

 a5100 A6500 

Reasons to pick Sony A6500 over the Sony a5100

 A6500 a5100 
ReleasedOctober 2016August 2014Fresher by 26 months

Common features in the Sony a5100 and Sony A6500

 a5100 A6500 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Screen resolution922k922kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Sony a5100 vs Sony A6500 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Sony a5100 features external dimensions of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") along with a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs) whilst the Sony A6500 has measurements of 120mm x 67mm x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1") having a weight of 453 grams (1.00 lbs).

See the Sony a5100 vs Sony A6500 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use during that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the a5100 compared to the A6500.

Sony a5100 vs Sony A6500 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the a5100 and A6500 is 89 and 81 respectively.

Sony a5100 vs Sony A6500 top view buttons comparison

Sony a5100 vs Sony A6500 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to see the difference between sensor sizing only by going over a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the a5100 and A6500.

Clearly, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same resolution so you can expect similar quality of photographs though you really should consider the age of the products into consideration. The older a5100 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Sony a5100 vs Sony A6500 sensor size comparison

Sony a5100 vs Sony A6500 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony a5100 vs Sony A6500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony a5100 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A6500 as a Portrait photography camera
72
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
external flash not possible
80
manual focus
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Sony a5100 Street photography details
Sony A6500 Street photography details
82
screen tilts up and down
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
has touch to focus
very good high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
85
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
supports touch to focus
weather proofing
great ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sony a5100 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A6500 as a Sports photography camera
68
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
good battery pack (400 CIPA)
has phase detect autofocus
slow fps (6.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
77
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
not so great battery power (350 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony a5100
Travel photography with Sony A6500
80
good battery pack (400 CIPA)
has touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
74
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
supports touch to focus
decent MP (24MP)
has built in flash
not so great battery power (350 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony a5100 Landscape photography advice
Sony A6500 Landscape photography advice
79
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3")
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (400 shots)
does not have image stabilization
79
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
not so great battery power (350 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony a5100 Vlogging details
Sony A6500 Vlogging details
34
touchscreen enabled
provides face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone port
39
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection autofocus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external microphone support
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Sony a5100 vs Sony A6500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony a5100 and Sony A6500
 Sony Alpha a5100Sony Alpha a6500
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha a5100 Sony Alpha a6500
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Launched 2014-08-17 2016-10-06
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz X Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 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
Max boosted ISO - 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch 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
Number of focus points 179 425
Lens
Lens mount Sony E Sony E
Amount of lenses 121 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 922k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 11.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m (at ISO 100) 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Flash off, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction (On/Off selectable), Hi-speed sync, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (120p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 283 grams (0.62 lb) 453 grams (1.00 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") 120 x 67 x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 80 85
DXO Color Depth score 23.8 24.5
DXO Dynamic range score 12.7 13.7
DXO Low light score 1347 1405
Other
Battery life 400 images 350 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FW50 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous (3-5 shot)) Yes
Time lapse feature With downloadable app With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $448 $1,298