• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 360.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony A5100 advantages over Panasonic ZS200

  • Less expensive
    $448 vs $648*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Fast startup
    ~2.00 vs 2.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • 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
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 20.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Panasonic ZS200 advantages over Sony A5100

  • 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
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Higher-res screen
    413k vs 230k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.23 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.1 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    139 vs 67 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.4 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A5100

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS200

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
Panasonic ZS200
Samsung NX1000
  • $648
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $413
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sony A5100
Samsung NX1100
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe
Panasonic ZS200
Samsung NX1100
  • $648
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $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
Panasonic ZS200
Sony A5000
  • $648
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compared to Panasonic ZS100

Sony A5100
Panasonic ZS100
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic ZS200
Panasonic ZS100
  • $648
  • 1 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Sony RX100 VI

Sony A5100
Sony RX100 VI
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $949
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic ZS200
Sony RX100 VI
  • $648
  • 1 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $949
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger lens aperture
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