Sony A5100 vs Canon SL3

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Sony A5100 vs Canon SL3

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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 332.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon SL3 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon SL3 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the SL3.

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Differences

Sony A5100 advantages over Canon SL3

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
APS-C vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Less expensive
$448 vs $699
Save money for lenses or accessories
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 69 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
399g vs 664g
Lighter weight
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 29 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Faster JPEG shooting
6.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
6.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
25 vs 15 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Canon SL3 advantages over Sony A5100

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
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Fast startup
~0.50 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

1070 vs 400 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
6 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Higher-res screen
346k 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
0.09 vs 0.23 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 67 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
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
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read A5100 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read SL3 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 SL3

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm lens (White)

All SL3 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

We haven’t finished our review of the Canon SL3, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Canon SL3 Shooter's Report

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

Compare Sony A5100 vs Samsung NX1000

Canon SL3

Samsung NX1000

$632
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$413
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SL3 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 SL3

Samsung NX1100

$632
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$450
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SL3 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 SL3

Sony A5000

$632
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$298
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Canon SL3 vs Sony A5000

Compared to Canon SL2

Sony A5100

Canon SL2

$348
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A5100 vs Canon SL2

Canon SL3

Canon SL2

$632
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Longer stills battery life

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
NFC

Compare Canon SL3 vs Canon SL2

Compared to Nikon D3500

Sony A5100

Nikon D3500

$348
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$709
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony A5100 vs Nikon D3500

Canon SL3

Nikon D3500

$632
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$709
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL3 vs Nikon D3500

Compare Other Cameras?