Sony A5100 vs Canon 90D

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Sony A5100 vs Canon 90D

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APS-C 366.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A5100 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A5100 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A5100.
Compare Sony A5100 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A5100 conclusion.

APS-C 337.5mm²
32.5 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon 90D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 90D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 90D.
Compare Canon 90D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 90D conclusion.

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Differences

Sony A5100 advantages over Canon 90D

Less expensive
$448 vs $1349
Save money for lenses or accessories
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Bigger pixels
~ 3.92 vs 3.23 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Thinner
35 mm vs 76 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
399g vs 1216g
Lighter weight
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 29 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens

Canon 90D advantages over Sony A5100

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1300 vs 400 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
216 mm vs 75 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
5 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Higher-res screen
347k vs 230k 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
0.13 vs 0.23 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
32.5 vs 24.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
On-sensor phase detect
Both provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A5100 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 90D User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A5100

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Kit with 16-50mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 16-50mm Lens (White)

All A5100 Deals

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Buy the Canon 90D

Body Only

Body Only
KIt with 18-135mm Lens
KIt with 18-55mm Lens

All 90D Deals

Review Excerpt

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.
Read our Sony A5100 Review

Highest resolution Canon APS-C camera yet; Great image quality; Faster 10fps burst shooting; Very fast autofocus; Dual Pixel CMOS AF in Live View; 4K video; 1080p120 slow-mo video.
Low-pass filter reduces fine detail from high-res sensor; High ISO performance isn't as good as some rival cameras; Video recording limited to 29:59.
Read our Canon 90D Review

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX1000

Sony A5100

Samsung NX1000

$348
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$416
APS-C

Higher-res screen
Hot shoe

Compare Sony A5100 vs Samsung NX1000

Canon 90D

Samsung NX1000

$1099
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$416
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Thinner

Compare Canon 90D vs Samsung NX1000

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sony A5100

Samsung NX1100

$348
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$450
APS-C

Higher-res screen
Hot shoe

Compare Sony A5100 vs Samsung NX1100

Canon 90D

Samsung NX1100

$1099
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$450
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Thinner

Compare Canon 90D vs Samsung NX1100

Compared to Sony A5000

Sony A5100

Sony A5000

$348
APS-C

Touchscreen
Higher effective ISO

$298
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Sony A5100 vs Sony A5000

Canon 90D

Sony A5000

$1099
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$298
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Canon 90D vs Sony A5000

Compared to Canon 80D

Sony A5100

Canon 80D

$348
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$935
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A5100 vs Canon 80D

Canon 90D

Canon 80D

$1099
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Built-in Bluetooth

$935
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 90D vs Canon 80D

Compared to Nikon D7500

Sony A5100

Nikon D7500

$348
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$897
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony A5100 vs Nikon D7500

Canon 90D

Nikon D7500

$1099
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
On-sensor phase detect

$897
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 90D vs Nikon D7500

Compare Other Cameras?