• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 72.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony A5100 advantages over Canon G1X Mark III

  • Less expensive
    $448 vs $999*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 51 mm
    Thinner
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    67 vs 23 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    25 vs 16 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon G1X Mark III advantages over Sony A5100

  • 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    7 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.23 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.3 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.4 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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

  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A5100

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.

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX1000

Sony A5100
Samsung NX1000
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $413
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe
Canon G1X Mark III
Samsung NX1000
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $413
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sony A5100
Samsung NX1100
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe
Canon G1X Mark III
Samsung NX1100
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A5000

Sony A5100
Sony A5000
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
Canon G1X Mark III
Sony A5000
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Sony A5100
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher max flash sync
Canon G1X Mark III
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Fujifilm X70

Sony A5100
Fujifilm X70
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
Canon G1X Mark III
Fujifilm X70
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
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