• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Sony A5100 advantages over Canon T7i

  • Less expensive
    $448 vs $899
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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.
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 76 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    399g vs 747g
    Lighter weight
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 29 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens

Canon T7i 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
  • 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 600 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
  • 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
    148 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
  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

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

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon T7i
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-135mm lens
  • Kit with 18-55mm lens
All T7i 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

  • Very good image quality; Improved dynamic range & high ISO quality over T6i; 45-point AF system; Fast Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Improved buffer depth.

  • Default JPEGs slightly soft straight out of camera; Dynamic range & high ISO still lags behind competitors; No 4K video.

  • Read our Canon T7i Express Review

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 T7i
Samsung NX1000
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $413
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon T7i 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 T7i
Samsung NX1100
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon T7i 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 T7i
Sony A5000
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Canon T7i vs Sony A5000

Compared to Canon T6i

Sony A5100
Canon T6i
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A5100 vs Canon T6i

Canon T7i
Canon T6i
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Canon T7i vs Canon T6i

Compared to Pentax KP

Sony A5100
Pentax KP
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony A5100 vs Pentax KP

Canon T7i
Pentax KP
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon T7i vs Pentax KP

Compare Other Cameras?