Sony a5100 Mirrorless Digital Camera (Black, Body Only)

The Alpha A5100 is Sony's entry-level mirrorless camera, but by coupling the powerful autofocus system from the higher-end A6000 with 6fps burst shooting, it could well be your best bet for capturing action on a budget. Kids or pets running around? Sports fanatic?

• +

  Potentially great quality from 24 Mpixel sensor., Great continuous AF for photos and movies., 6fps continuous shooting with large bursts., Tilting touch-screen which can face subjects., Powerful but easy to use Wifi with NFC.

• -

  To exploit 24 Mpixels, you’ll need a better lens., No viewfinder nor any means to connect one., Need to boost screen brightness for outdoor use., Basic exposure control and no GPS tagging via Wifi., No miniature effect for movies.

One of the smallest, lightest and most affordable mirrorless cameras currently offered with an APS-C sensor, and sharing the same imaging pipeline as the Sony A6000, the Sony A5100 has few rivals in terms of offering good quality for the price.

• +

  Very small and comfortable form factor; Very good image quality for its class; New dual video record function; Quick autofocus and good dynamic range., Amazing amount of firepower for this size and price point, Largest sensor found in an inexpensive compact camera (APS-C), Image quality is virtually...

• -

  Lacks an EVF and external mode dial; No hot shoe; JPEG processing at higher ISOs not as good as some competing mid-level models., No EVF, Limited external controls compared to some mid-range models, No mode dial - have to go into the menus to change the mode, High ISO noise handling with JPEGs is...

If the a51000 were a larger camera, I might ding it for the lack of features such as an accessory shoe or extra physical controls. But if that's the trade-off to get the camera so small, it's worthwhile for many people, especially novices who may not want to be overwhelmed by a big honking camera.

• +

  Pocket-size design, excellent low-light image quality, fast, accurate autofocus, smooth video, built-in tutorials for novices

• -

  Important settings buried in menus, doesn't take external flash or microphone, Wi-Fi not iOS friendly

The predecessors to the a5100 had a lot going for them: they were very compact, feature-packed, and produced good quality photos and videos. The a5100 is a much more compelling camera, taking the 'guts' from the more expensive a6000 and putting them into a body that'll easily slip into a jacket...

The a5100 is a great beginners mirrorless camera with an ecosystem you can grow into.

The A5100 may be Sony's mirrorless middle child, but it's a great value.

Since Sony dropped its NEX branding and blanketed its compact system camera line with the Alpha brand name, the range has not morphed dramatically, simply divided itself into different schools of thought: those seeking a compact alternative, and those seeking a DSLR alternative.

• +

  Small yet sensible size, good picture quality overall, point-and-shoot simplicity, 180-degree tilt-angle screen for selfies

• -

  Excess menu digging, no mode dials or standard function buttons, low-light autofocus can’t be pinpointed, distortion and excessive JPEG processing qualms

Sony's CSC have an enviable track record in our reviews. The old NEX brand was retired, but the cameras, unchanged in concept, continue coming under the Alpha brand. The A5100 has all the usual traits: big APS-C sensor, interchangeable lenses and a slim body that's much closer in appearance and...

The Sony A5100 is proof that appearances can be deceptive. Although it looks almost identical to the previous A500 model, the new A5100 is a much more capable camera, especially when it comes to focusing and recording video.

The Sony Alpha A5100 is one of the more compact mirrorless cameras available with built in flash, particularly considering it has a 24megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, and fast hybrid AF focus.

• +

  Comfortable to hold, Compact with 16-50mm lens, Good image quality and colour, DRO and HDR modes, Quick focus and shutter response, Sony PlayMemories Apps available, 6fps with continuous AF, Wi-Fi and NFC, Low noise

• -

  Have to pay for additional features as "apps" that are free with other cameras: Time-lapse, Multiple-exposure, Multi Frame NR etc, Strong noise reduction, Kit lens not the best

This review pertains only to video:PROS- Full HD (1080p)- Large sensor - APS-C/Super 35mm sensor combined w/ right aperture lens creates shallow depth of field, nice bokeh- XAVC S - 50 mbps broadcast quality codec- Uncompressed 8-bit 4:2:2 output via HDMI to external recorder/monitor capability...

Great camera the buttons take some getting use to. If I'm not mistaken there is no user Manual in the kit but you can easily download one. Great pictures, SO much lighter to carry around than a DSLR. Love the camera

• +

  Great picturesLight weight

• -

  Not user friendlyModes hard to switchNeed screen protector

This is a awesome camera and BeachCamera is the only place I will get gear from [...] The shipping is fast, and the inventory and listings are accurate.

• +

  Compact, Touch Focus, features galore, acceptable IQ

This is an incredible camera and I believe it has the best image quality of any camera for the price. I used many cameras but this is best.The difference can clearly noticeable. you will like the sensor and imaging processor really do make a difference.

With the arrival of the 4K FF and APS-C cameras, which are hilariously expensive today, the prices of excellent Full HD cameras have fallen, and today they are the most affordable option.

This mirrorless camera has the ability to change lenses, giving you more creative control—and it’s more packable than a DSLR.

I love the size and weight, and in the right circumstances it is an ideal camera. As far as the LCD goes, it is very frustrating to use in the outdoor sunlight; indoors or in the right situation, it is very useful, but I think a viewfinder would be better all-around, even though that would increase...

This one is an outstanding entry level camera if you are not quite ready for your DSLR and need something a little more compact.