• APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Fujifilm X-E1 advantages over Sony A5100

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.82 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
    Yes vs No
    A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré

Sony A5100 advantages over Fujifilm X-E1

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Lighter weight
    399g vs 687g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.23 vs 0.44 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 16.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.0 fps vs 5.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    67 vs 16 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    25 vs 12 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Fujifilm X-E1

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A5100

Review Excerpt

  • Produces superior image quality that's better than many DSLRs; Handsome and functional camera design recalls classic rangefinder models; Surprisingly good kit lens.

  • Mixed-bag operational performance, with sluggish startup and mediocre autofocus speed and shot-to-shot times; Video quality is only so-so.

  • Very small and comfortable form factor; Very good image quality for its class; New dual video record function; Quick autofocus and good dynamic range.

  • Lacks an EVF and external mode dial; No hot shoe; JPEG processing at higher ISOs not as good as some competing mid-level models.

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX300

Fujifilm X-E1
Samsung NX300
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Sony A5100
Samsung NX300
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Higher-res screen

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Fujifilm X-E1
Samsung NX1100
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Sony A5100
Samsung NX1100
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Fujifilm X-E2

Fujifilm X-E1
Fujifilm X-E2
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • On-sensor phase detect
Sony A5100
Fujifilm X-E2
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A5000

Fujifilm X-E1
Sony A5000
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • External Mic Jack
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Sony A5100
Sony A5000
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compared to Fujifilm X-T10

Fujifilm X-E1
Fujifilm X-T10
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup
Sony A5100
Fujifilm X-T10
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
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