Table of Contents
amazon Sony A5100 reviews
Design
On the outside, the new Sony A5100 camera is almost identical to the previous generation Sony A5000 debuted at CES 2014. It weighs just 224g and measures 109.6 x 62.8 x 35.7 mm. Despite its light weight, the A5100 is still very solid in the hand. The included SEL 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS lens is compact, with both the camera body and lens equivalent to just a few compacts. With its lightweight design, users can easily carry the A5100 anywhere.
The 3-inch LCD panel on the back of the Sony A5100 can tilt and flip up to 180°, which makes it easy for users to take pictures from both low and high angles and especially when shooting themselves.
Operation, control
Similar to the A6000, it uses the 24.3 megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor and features Fast Hybrid AF for the fastest autofocus speed in the world. This system delivers amazingly fast AF focal lengths of less than 0.07 seconds. The Touch AF function also increases the efficiency of autofocus. The user just touches the screen to focus accurately on the focal plane including 25 contrast detection points and 179 phase detection points. In general, the focus on the A5100 is extremely fast so you will not have to miss any perfect moments with it.
On the A5100 without a viewfinder, users will have to look at the screen through the screen. This is a minus point of the A5100. However, amateurs still can be quite assured that the screen is relatively good, Sony has an option “Sunny Weather” mode dedicated to outdoor use.
The only regret on the A5100 is that the control system is limited by few buttons. Machine without adjustable wheel as fast as the A6000. In addition to the shooting mode priority, users will have to take at least two actions to change any of the settings. However, this is acceptable because Sony’s purpose is to minimize the minimization of the size and weight of the A5100.
where can you get a Sony A5100 online
Sony a5100 16-50mm Mirrorless Digital Camera with 3-Inch Flip Up LCD (Black): Buy it now
Sony a5100 16-50mm Mirrorless Digital Camera with 3-Inch Flip Up LCD (White): Buy it now
Sony a5100 Interchangeable Lens Mirrorless Camera with 16-50mm Lens (Black) 32GB Accessory Bundle (ILCE5100L/B): Buy it now
Sony a5100 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 3-Inch Flip Up LCD – Body Only (Black): Buy it now
Image quality, video
With the 24.3MP APS HD CMOS sensor and the new BIONZ X processor used on the A6000, the images taken from the A5100 have detail and sharpness. Image quality between these two machines is almost equivalent.
Besides shooting features, the Sony A5100 also offers video recording, which can record video in AVCHD format (60p / 50p / 25p / 24p), stereo sound. There are also other formatting options, codecs. The video recording feature is the strength of the A5100. Actually, the camera has better video capabilities than the A6000. One good feature of the A5100 is its ability to record two video file formats simultaneously, an MPEG-4 file to share and XAVC S or AVCHD to store at its highest resolution. Providing less compressed new video format makes the video significantly higher quality.
Other features
Being a mirrorless camera, the A5100 has a lot of interesting and useful features for the user. Thanks to the Wi-Fi connection, the user can control remote shooting with a smartphone or tablet. In addition, the machine is also equipped with an NFC connection, with this connection sharing of content such as pictures or videos takes place in a snap.
Not to stop there, the A5100 is also on the list of applications used in Sony’s PlayMemories Camera Apps. There are many interesting applications for you to choose from.
Sensor and Image Quality
The heart of the Sony a5100 is its 24.3 MP APS-C Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor, which is paired with the BIONZ X image processor. This combination delivers outstanding image quality with excellent detail, dynamic range, and color accuracy. The a5100’s sensor is one of the largest in its class, comparable to those found in more advanced DSLR cameras, which contributes to its superior performance.
Images produced by the a5100 are sharp and vibrant, with accurate colors and minimal noise. The camera’s native ISO range of 100-25600 allows for flexibility in various lighting conditions. In practical use, the a5100 performs admirably up to ISO 3200, with noise becoming more noticeable at higher ISO settings. This makes the camera suitable for low-light photography, providing clean and detailed images even in challenging conditions.
The a5100 also supports RAW image capture, which is a significant advantage for photographers who want to have more control over their post-processing workflow. The RAW files retain all the image data captured by the sensor, allowing for greater flexibility in adjusting exposure, white balance, and other parameters during editing.
Autofocus System
One of the key features of the Sony a5100 is its fast hybrid autofocus system, which combines 179 phase-detection points with 25 contrast-detection points. This system covers a wide area of the frame and provides quick and accurate focusing in various shooting scenarios. The autofocus performance is impressive, particularly for a camera in this price range, making it suitable for capturing fast-moving subjects and action shots.
The a5100 also includes features like Eye AF, which detects and focuses on a subject’s eyes, ensuring sharp portraits. Face detection and tracking AF are also available, helping to maintain focus on moving subjects. The camera’s autofocus system performs well in both still photography and video recording, providing smooth and reliable focusing.
Shooting Performance
The Sony a5100 offers a range of shooting modes and features to cater to different photographic needs. It can shoot continuously at up to 6 frames per second, which is adequate for capturing action sequences and fast-paced events. The camera’s buffer can handle a decent number of shots before slowing down, making it suitable for capturing burst sequences without interruption.
In addition to the standard shooting modes like Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual, the a5100 includes several scene modes and creative styles. These modes allow users to tailor the camera’s settings to specific shooting scenarios, such as portraits, landscapes, and sports. The a5100 also offers a range of creative effects and filters, enabling users to add artistic touches to their images directly in-camera.
Video Capabilities
For video enthusiasts, the Sony a5100 offers impressive capabilities. It can record Full HD 1080p video at 60 frames per second, providing smooth and high-quality footage. The camera also supports the XAVC S format, which offers higher bit rates and improved video quality compared to the more common AVCHD format.
The a5100’s fast hybrid autofocus system is a significant advantage for video recording, ensuring continuous and accurate focus during filming. The touchscreen allows for easy focus point selection, and the flip-up screen is particularly useful for vlogging and recording self-shots. The camera also features a built-in stereo microphone, although it lacks an external microphone input, which might be a limitation for users looking for higher-quality audio recording.
Connectivity and Sharing
The Sony a5100 is equipped with built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, enabling easy sharing and transfer of images and videos. The PlayMemories Mobile app, available for both iOS and Android devices, allows users to connect their camera to a smartphone or tablet for remote control, image transfer, and sharing on social media platforms.
The camera also supports Sony’s PlayMemories Camera Apps, which can be downloaded and installed to add additional functionality. These apps include features like time-lapse, multiple exposure, and smart remote control, enhancing the camera’s versatility and creative potential.
Battery Life
The Sony a5100 is powered by the NP-FW50 rechargeable battery, which provides a decent battery life for a compact mirrorless camera. According to CIPA standards, the camera can capture approximately 400 shots on a full charge. This should be sufficient for a day of casual shooting or a short outing. However, for extended trips or heavy use, it is advisable to carry a spare battery to ensure you don’t miss any important moments.
User Interface and Ease of Use
The user interface of the Sony a5100 is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly. The menu system is well-organized, with clearly labeled sections and settings. The 3-inch touchscreen provides a clear and bright display, making it easy to navigate through the menus and review your images. The touchscreen functionality enhances the user experience, allowing for quick adjustments and focus point selection.
The lack of a traditional mode dial may require some users to adjust to accessing shooting modes through the menu system. However, the customizable function button and the ability to assign frequently used settings to the quick menu can help streamline the workflow.
Price and Value for Money
The Sony a5100 offers excellent value for money, providing a range of advanced features and high-quality performance at an accessible price point. It delivers many of the capabilities found in higher-end models, such as a large APS-C sensor, fast hybrid autofocus, and Full HD video recording, in a compact and portable package. This makes the a5100 an attractive option for beginners, enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a capable and stylish camera without breaking the bank.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Compact and Lightweight: The a5100’s compact size and lightweight design make it easy to carry around, perfect for travel and everyday use.
- Image Quality: The 24.3 MP APS-C sensor delivers excellent image quality with great detail, dynamic range, and color accuracy.
- Fast Hybrid Autofocus: The combination of phase-detection and contrast-detection autofocus points ensures quick and accurate focusing in various shooting scenarios.
- Flip-Up Touchscreen: The 3-inch tilting touchscreen is ideal for selfies, vlogging, and shooting at different angles, enhancing the overall user experience.
- Full HD Video: The a5100 records high-quality Full HD video at 60 fps, with smooth and reliable autofocus performance during filming.
- Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC: These features enable easy sharing and remote control, adding to the camera’s versatility.
Cons:
- No EVF: The lack of a built-in electronic viewfinder may be a drawback for users who prefer composing their shots through a viewfinder rather than the LCD screen, especially in bright sunlight where the screen can be harder to see.
- No Hot Shoe or External Microphone Input: The absence of a hot shoe limits the ability to attach external accessories such as flashes or microphones. Similarly, the lack of an external microphone input can be a limitation for serious videographers who need higher-quality audio recording.
- Battery Life: While the battery life is decent, it may not be sufficient for extended shooting sessions or long trips without carrying a spare battery.
- Menu Navigation: The lack of a traditional mode dial means that users have to access shooting modes through the menu system, which can be less convenient for quick adjustments.
Conclusion
The Sony Alpha a5100 is a remarkable compact mirrorless camera that offers an impressive array of features and excellent image quality at an accessible price point. Its 24.3 MP APS-C sensor, fast hybrid autofocus system, and Full HD video capabilities make it a versatile tool for a wide range of photographic needs, from travel and street photography to vlogging and everyday use.
The camera’s compact and lightweight design, combined with its intuitive controls and user-friendly interface, make it an excellent choice for both beginners and more experienced photographers looking for a portable secondary camera. The flip-up touchscreen and built-in Wi-Fi add to its versatility, making it easy to capture and share high-quality images and videos.
While the a5100 does have some limitations, such as the lack of an electronic viewfinder, external microphone input, and hot shoe, these drawbacks are minor considering the camera’s overall performance and value for money. The a5100’s strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, making it a highly recommended option for anyone looking for a capable and stylish mirrorless camera.
In summary, the Sony a5100 stands out as a compact powerhouse that delivers exceptional performance, making it a worthy addition to any photographer’s toolkit. Whether you’re capturing everyday moments, exploring new destinations, or creating content for social media, the a5100 is a reliable and enjoyable companion that will help you achieve your creative vision.