• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.9 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

Buy From

Differences

Sony A5100 advantages over Nikon D7500

  • Less expensive
    $448 vs $997
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 72 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    399g vs 1197g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 20.9 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Nikon D7500 advantages over Sony A5100

  • 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
    ~0.20 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,483 vs 1,347 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 950 vs 400 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    120 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
  • Higher-res screen
    307k 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
    0.07 vs 0.23 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.2 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.2 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    47 vs 25 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    1638400 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A5100

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D7500

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.

  • New carbon fiber body is light, compact and very comfortable; Same excellent image quality as the flagship D500; Quick 8.2 frames per second burst shooting with generous buffer; Very fast, accurate autofocus; Tilting touch-screen display; Very good battery life; Records ultra high-def 4K and 60fps Full HD too.

  • Only a single flash card slot; Doesn't support portrait / battery grip accessories; No rear infrared receiver any more; non-CPU AI lenses will be manual only; 4K video comes with a heavy crop; Movie AF is prone to hunting, Extended ISO sensitivities are a gimmick.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7200

Sony A5100
Nikon D7200
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon D7500
Nikon D7200
  • $864
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • NFC
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Samsung NX1000

Sony A5100
Samsung NX1000
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $416
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe
Nikon D7500
Samsung NX1000
  • $864
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $416
  • APS-C
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sony A5100
Samsung NX1100
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe
Nikon D7500
Samsung NX1100
  • $864
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Sony A5000

Sony A5100
Sony A5000
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
Nikon D7500
Sony A5000
  • $864
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Canon 80D

Sony A5100
Canon 80D
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon D7500
Canon 80D
  • $864
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Fast startup
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • NFC
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