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Sony A5100 replaces NEX-5T, puts A6000’s hybrid autofocus in an even more affordable body
posted Sunday, August 17, 2014 at 11:01 PM EST
Earlier this year, Sony knocked the ball out of the park, launching one of the most popular compact system cameras we've seen to date -- the Sony A6000. Now, it follows up with the Sony A5100, a more affordable sibling to that model, and it will clearly be hoping to repeat its success. (And we've already been hands-on with the camera, so you can see our Sony A5100 first shots immediately!)
Although its name might suggest it to be a followup to the A5000, the Sony A5100 actually replaces the NEX-5T, the final Sony camera to sport the now-retired NEX badge. As such, the A5100 will sit in between the existing A5000 and A6000, replacing neither, but providing an alternative to both.
Compared to the A5000, the Sony A5100 provides a significant step forward in terms of sensitivity, performance, and autofocus. It also offers a little more resolution, a higher-res monitor, and an uprated movie mode. The main differences from the A6000 are a lower pricetag, reduced burst rate, and the lack of a viewfinder or hot shoe. Interestingly, though, the Sony A5100 boasts a couple of movie features that its more expensive sibling lacks, as you'll see in our preview.
Available from September 2014, the Sony A5100 is priced at US$550 body-only. A kit with Sony E PZ 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS lens is priced at US$700. Find out more in our just-published Sony A5100 preview, complete with first shots fresh from the Imaging Resource lab!
Curious to see how the A5100 compares to its siblings? Check out our comparison pages for the Sony A5100 vs the A5000 and the Sony A5100 vs the A6000, or check out how the Sony A5100 compares to its predecessor the NEX-5T. These are our database-driven advantage comparisons, stay tuned for editorial comparisons as we work through the A5100 review.
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