Sony a5100 vs Sony A58: Which Entry-Level Camera Should You Pick in 2024?

Choosing your next camera, especially in the entry-level mirrorless and DSLR range, can feel like navigating a maze - there's a dizzying array of specs, features, and marketing promises. Having worked with thousands of cameras over the past 15 years, including both mirrorless and DSLRs across the Sony line, I’ve spent enough time in the field, studio, and trails to suss out what really matters.

Today, we're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison between two stalwarts that have delighted beginners and enthusiasts alike: the Sony a5100, an APS-C mirrorless camera announced in 2014, and the Sony A58, a compact APS-C DSLR from late 2013. These two might be close in age but offer very different philosophies under the hood.

If you care about hands-on experience, image quality, autofocus performance, and ultimately value for money, keep reading. I’ll break down everything - from sensor tech to ergonomics - plus share insights from real shooting scenarios across portraiture to astrophotography. Let’s see which one earns a spot in your camera bag.

The Basics: Body Style, Size, and Handling

At first glance, the a5100 and A58 couldn't be more different in physical design and feel - a critical factor since how a camera fits in your hands affects how much you want to shoot.

The Sony a5100 adopts a sleek, minimalistic rangefinder-style mirrorless body, measuring 110x63x36mm and weighing a mere 283 grams. It’s truly compact - pocket friendly with a modest grip and tilting touchscreen. The body feels modern and approachable, especially if you’re switching from smartphone photography. However, it lacks an electronic viewfinder (EVF) - you’re fully reliant on the rear screen for composition.

Conversely, the Sony A58 sports the bulkier compact DSLR silhouette familiar to traditionalists, with dimensions around 129x95x78mm and tipping the scales at 492 grams. It features a 0.65x electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage, obliging those who prefer the eye to the screen. The grip is wider and deeper, offering more stability - especially with heavier lenses.

Here’s a direct physical comparison to visualize the size and ergonomics differences:

From my experience, if you prioritize portability and discreet shooting (say, in street or travel photography), the a5100's smaller footprint wins hands down. But for extended shoots or when optical/electronic viewfinder use is vital (landscapes or sports), the A58's heft provides added comfort and confidence.

Control Layout and User Interface

Ergonomics isn’t just about size, it’s also about how controls are presented. Both cameras have tilting LCDs but...

• The a5100 features a 3-inch touchscreen with 922k dots resolution, enabling quick autofocus point selection and menu navigation. This is a boon for new users or vloggers who want intuitive operation.
• The A58, meanwhile, has a smaller 2.7” LCD (460k dots) and lacks touchscreen functionality. Its more traditional button and dial layout is designed for tactile mastery at the expense of instantaneous menu tapping.

Let’s peek at the top view and rear interface side-by-side to see how these design choices play out:

In the field, I found the touchscreen on the a5100 a definite time-saver for focus shifting and exposure tweaks, especially for beginners. The A58's layout, though less nimble, gave a more deliberate feeling of control once familiarized.

Sensor and Image Quality: Where Does the Pixel Party Happen?

They both pack APS-C sensors - the sweet spot for many photography enthusiasts balancing image quality and price - but details reveal key differences.

Real-World Impact

That extra 4MP and newer Bionz X image processor in the a5100 bring tangible benefits - especially subtle details and color gradation. The improved high ISO capabilities (ISO 1347 vs. 753 ISO low-light performance score) mean cleaner files at night or indoor events. The a5100 holds an edge in dynamic range, which is crucial for landscapes and situations with bright skies and dark shadows.

On the other hand, the A58's images, while a touch softer at pixel-peeping, still exhibit commendable color fidelity and can look richer when shot in JPEG, thanks to Sony’s color science and the sensor’s design. For casual shooting or someone investing in lenses that aren’t pixel-buster sharp, this is still solid.

Bokeh and Portraiture Nuances

While sensor specs give us the canvas, the lens and autofocus system define portraits. The a5100’s wider lens ecosystem with Sony E mount offers excellent fast prime options, translating to smoother bokeh and enhanced skin tone rendition out of the box.

Autofocus Systems: Speed and Accuracy in the Heat of Action

Autofocus is where these cameras truly diverge in philosophy.

• The Sony a5100 boasts 179 phase-detection AF points paired with contrast detection, covering a wide portion of the frame. This hybrid AF system is fast, precise, and excellent for face and eye detection, which the camera supports natively. While it lacks animal eye detection (added in later Sony models), it tracks human subjects solidly - even in live view or video.

• The Sony A58, while featuring a phase-detect system with only 15 AF points (3 cross-type), relies solely on phase detection through its translucent mirror. Its autofocus is decent but slower to lock and track compared to the a5100.

In action, here’s what I noticed:

• Sports and Wildlife: The a5100’s high frame rate (up to 6fps continuous shooting) combined with 179 AF points covers moving subjects well, but limited buffer depth can slow continuous shooting bursts. The A58 offers a faster burst rate (8fps), but your AF points are far more restricted, and tracking subjects across the frame can be frustratingly laggy.

• Portraits and Street: The a5100’s eye detection and better AF coverage for live view mean faster focus acquisition, helping catch fleeting expressions or candid moments. The A58 feels more deliberate, requiring patience to nail focus.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Ruggedness for Adventures

Both the a5100 and A58 are entry-level cameras, so full weather sealing and ruggedness aren’t their strong suits.

• Neither boasts environmental sealing, dust, or splash resistance.
• Neither is waterproof, shockproof, crushproof, or freezeproof.
• However, the A58’s larger, thicker DSLR housing naturally affords a bit more protection from bumps and knocks during casual outdoor use.

If you’re planning serious hiking, nature walks in less-than-ideal weather, or extended outdoor use, investing in weatherproof lenses and protective covers will be more critical than relying on these cameras alone.

Modes, Metering, and Exposure Controls

Both cameras feature all the fundamental exposure modes: manual, aperture priority, shutter priority, and program, complete with exposure compensation and bracketing - the usual suspects for any serious shooter.

• The a5100 adds the convenience of touch controls and tap-to-focus/expose on-screen.
• The A58 relies on traditional dials and buttons, which some might find more precise but less swift.

In metering, both use multi-segment, spot, and center-weighted modes, providing flexibility in challenging lighting.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: The Glass Behind the Glass

Arguably as important as the camera body itself is the available lens lineup.

• The Sony a5100 uses the Sony E-mount, compatible with over 120 lenses, including native primes and zooms as well as third-party offerings from Sigma, Tamron, and more. The smaller flange distance of the mirrorless mount allows using many adapted lenses from other systems with varying degrees of autofocus functionality.

• The Sony A58 uses the Sony/Minolta Alpha mount (A-mount). While boasting a larger native selection of over 140 lenses, it lacks some of the newer E-mount innovation, and many lenses are bulky and designed for full-size DSLRs. Adaptation to mirrorless is less straightforward.

From my testing, the a5100’s E-mount lineup is generally more compact, optically advanced, and future-proof - especially useful if you want to slowly evolve your kit without changing brands.

Battery Life and Storage Capacity

Good battery life can be the difference between a fun day of shooting and a frustrating hunt for power outlets.

• The A58’s battery (NP-FM500H) delivers a strong 690 shots per charge (CIPA standard), making it noticeably longer-lasting than the a5100.
• The a5100 (NP-FW50 battery) provides roughly 400 frames per charge.

If you’re traveling or shooting all day, the A58 is the more reliable bet without needing external battery packs. The a5100’s convenience leans towards lighter carrying and quick USB charging options but demands more frequent charging or spares.

Both cameras use single SD card slots compatible with SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards, but the A58 additionally supports Sony Memory Stick formats, offering flexibility if you have legacy cards.

Video Capabilities: Is 4K a Must?

For many, video performance can be a deciding factor, especially in hybrid photo/video use.

• The Sony a5100 shines a bit brighter here, offering Full HD 1080p at 60p plus slow-motion 720p at 120fps. It uses XAVC S codec and has in-camera electronic image stabilization (though no sensor-shift IS). Unfortunately, it lacks microphone and headphone jacks, limiting audio control.

• The Sony A58 records Full HD 1080p, but maxes out at 30fps. It includes a microphone input, a rare feature in entry-level DSLRs of the time, giving audio recording a leg up.

Neither offers 4K, which we’ve come to expect today, but given their era, their video capabilities remain serviceable for casual to enthusiast YouTube and family videos.

Specialized Use Cases: How They Perform Across Photography Genres

Here’s a breakdown of how each camera performs across major photography disciplines, based on my field tests and technical benchmarks.

Sony a5100 front Sony a5100 screen back Sony A58 front Sony A58 screen back

Connectivity and Extras

• The a5100 includes built-in Wi-Fi with NFC, making transfers and remote shooting via smartphone apps straightforward. Great for social media sharers and event photographers on the go.

• The A58 features Eye-Fi card compatibility (useful for wireless uploads) but lacks built-in Wi-Fi or NFC, feeling somewhat dated in this connected era.

Price-to-Performance and Final Recommendations

Currently, the a5100 is priced around $448, while the A58 hovers near $645 - though prices may vary with used and refurbished options.

Considering the current camera market, Sony's own lineup, and the availability of newer entry-level models (like the Sony a6000 series), here’s how I’d advise:

Choose the Sony a5100 if you:

• Prioritize compactness and portability.
• Want fast and accurate autofocus for portraits and street shooting.
• Shoot video frequently, needing smoother 60p capture.
• Enjoy touchscreen controls and wireless connectivity.
• Prefer a modern lens system with compact primes.

Go with the Sony A58 if you:

• Value longer battery life for all-day shooting.
• Need an electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage.
• Prefer the tactile feel of a DSLR body and controls.
• Want a microphone jack for enhanced video skills.
• Are on a budget but still want burst shooting capability.

Caveats and Final Thoughts

Both cameras show their age but remain capable learning tools with respectable image quality. The a5100 better suits those embracing mirrorless innovation, while the A58 appeals to traditionalists who appreciate DSLR handling and modest video enhancements.

If you want an alternative to either, Sony’s a6000 series or entry-level Canon/Nikon mirrorless models worth a look. Otherwise, your choice boils down to whether you crave modern compactness and AF speed or DSLR ergonomics and battery endurance.

Wrapping Up: Which Sony Camera Wins Your Heart?

In my personal workflow, I lean toward mirrorless cameras like the a5100 for day-to-day versatility, rapid AF, and lighter weight. But I’ve often reached for DSLRs like the A58 when shooting extended sessions in the field, where battery life and an eye-level viewfinder are indispensable.

Ultimately, both deliver solid image quality, and neither will disappoint beginner or enthusiast shooters getting started. Your choice hinges on your shooting style, priorities, and pocketbook.

Whichever you pick, enjoy the irreplaceable thrill of capturing the world through your own lens.

If you’re curious about how these cameras stack up in person, drop me a line - maybe there’s a chance to test-drive the gear before you buy!

Safe shooting and happy framing!