Sony A5100 vs Canon G7X

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Sony A5100 vs Canon G7X

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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.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
24.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon G7X Review.
How does it shoot? Canon G7X in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G7X.
Compare Canon G7X image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon G7X conclusion.

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Differences

Sony A5100 advantages over Canon G7X

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.92 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
A5100 test data on DxO Mark G7X test data on DxO Mark

1,347 vs 556 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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

400 vs 210 shots
Capture more photos
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More pixels
24.3 vs 20.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Bigger JPEG buffer
67 vs 14 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
6.0 fps vs 1.2 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
25 vs 4 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon G7X advantages over Sony A5100

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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
Higher-res screen
346k vs 230k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Longer exposure
250 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots

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
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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
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

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Hot shoe
Neither provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read A5100 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read G7X User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A5100

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Buy the Canon G7X

Canon G7X

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

Very compact body fits in a pants pocket; Zoom lens is both brighter and further-reaching than anything offered by its enthusiast compact rivals; Selfie-friendly tilting LCD monitor; Intuitive touch-screen interface; Very good image quality for its class; Wi-Fi connectivity gets photos on your phone
No electronic viewfinder; Soft corners at wide-angle; Flare issues and fringing shooting wide-open; Weak performance when shooting raw files; Tendency to underexpose in low light; Limited battery life
Read our Canon G7X Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Sony A5100

Sony RX100 III

$348
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony A5100 vs Sony RX100 III

Canon G7X

Sony RX100 III

$1239
1 inch

Touchscreen
More telephoto lens reach

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon G7X vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Panasonic LX100

Sony A5100

Panasonic LX100

$348
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

$598
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony A5100 vs Panasonic LX100

Canon G7X

Panasonic LX100

$1239
1 inch

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

$598
4/3

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon G7X vs Panasonic LX100

Compared to Samsung NX1000

Sony A5100

Samsung NX1000

$348
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$413
APS-C

Higher-res screen
Hot shoe

Compare Sony A5100 vs Samsung NX1000

Canon G7X

Samsung NX1000

$1239
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$413
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G7X 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 G7X

Samsung NX1100

$1239
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$450
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon G7X 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 G7X

Sony A5000

$1239
1 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Touchscreen

$298
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G7X vs Sony A5000

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