• APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony A5000 advantages over Canon SL2

  • Less expensive
    $298 vs $549
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 69 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    388g vs 668g
    Lighter weight
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 29 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    9 vs 5 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Canon SL2 advantages over Sony A5000

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.60 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 650 vs 420 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    88 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    7 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    346k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.08 vs 0.30 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 20.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 3.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    5.1 fps vs 2.5 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 16000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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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Buy the Sony A5000
Kit with 16-50mm Lens (Black)
  • Kit with 16-50mm Lens (Black)
  • Kit with 16-50mm Lens (Silver)
  • Kit with 16-50mm Lens (White)
All A5000 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SL2
Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Kit with 18-55mm IS STM lens (Black)
  • Kit with 18-55mm IS STM lens (White)
All SL2 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Higher resolution and better image quality than SL1; Much improved dynamic range; Excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Compact body with improved ergonomics; Articulating touchscreen; Full HD movies up to 60p; Better battery life.

  • Shallow buffer depth with RAW files; Dynamic range and high ISO performance still not as good as leading competitors; No 4K video option; OVF only offers 9 AF points.

  • Read our Canon SL2 Review

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sony A5000
Samsung NX1100
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe

Compare Sony A5000 vs Samsung NX1100

Canon SL2
Samsung NX1100
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SL2 vs Samsung NX1100

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Sony A5000
Sony NEX-5T
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Sony A5000 vs Sony NEX-5T

Canon SL2
Sony NEX-5T
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL2 vs Sony NEX-5T

Compared to Sony A5100

Sony A5000
Sony A5100
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony A5000 vs Sony A5100

Canon SL2
Sony A5100
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL2 vs Sony A5100

Compared to Nikon D3500

Sony A5000
Nikon D3500
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony A5000 vs Nikon D3500

Canon SL2
Nikon D3500
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon SL2 vs Nikon D3500

Compared to Canon SL3

Sony A5000
Canon SL3
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $624
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A5000 vs Canon SL3

Canon SL2
Canon SL3
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $624
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SL2 vs Canon SL3

Compare Other Cameras?