Sony A5100 vs A6000 Comparison

It’s never easy to choose a camera that will fit your needs perfectly, especially when there are so many great cameras in the world. So, if you’re wondering should you buy Sony A5100 or Sony A6000, you’re in the right place.

Here in this article, you will find all that you need to know about both Sony A5100 and Sony A6000. Comparing both of their features, functions, and specs you will, hopefully, be able to make a decision by the end of this article.

Let’s get started.

Sony A5100

This camera makes out to be one of the smallest and lightest interchangeable lens cameras weighing 9.98 oz and having a body of 4.33 x 2.48 x 1.42 inches.

With the APS-C sensor, built-in flash and wi-fi connectivity, this camera really shows some great potential. It features a 24.3 megapixel APS HD CMOS sensor, 179 autofocus point, a sensitivity range of ISO 100/25600 and it’s a successor of Sony A5000.

It’s almost identical to its predecessor, but it does have some changes that are more on the inside than on the outside of the camera.

Check price of the Sony A5100 on Amazon.

Sony A6000

This camera goes into the range of mirrorless cameras between A5000 and NEX-7. What makes it different and much better than these other two is the fact that it has a number of features and functions that neither A5000 nor NEX-7 has.

On the outside, it reminds a lot of the NEX-6 model. On the front of the camera, there is a large hand-grip that allows the user to hold the camera properly. It also hides the shared battery and memory card section.

Check price of the Sony A6000 on Amazon.

Head to Head Comparison of the Sony A5100 and Sony A6000

Camera	Sony A5100	Sony A6000
Sensor	24 MP APS – C CMOS Sensor	24 MP – APS – C CMOS Sensor
ISO	25600	51200
AF Points	179	179
White Balance Presets	12	11
LCD Screen	3.0 inch	3.0 inch
Video Resolution	1920 x 1080	1920 x 1080
Shutter Speed	1/4000	1/4000
Built-In Flash	yes	yes
Available Lenses	64	64
Microphone Port	No	no
Battery Life	400 shots	360 shots
Continuous Shooting	6.0 fps	11.0 fps
Dimensions	4.33 x 2.48 x 1.42 inch	4.72 x 2.64 x 1.77 inch
Weight	9.98 oz	12.13 oz
Viewfinder	no/LCD	EVF/LCD

Detailed Specifications

Sensor

This is one of the greatest features of both of Sony Alpha A5100 and A6000. With both of these cameras, you can shoot at a maximum resolution of 6000 x 4000. That being said, we have to conclude that in this category both of our cameras are great so it’s a tie.

ISO

In this category, Sony A6000 starts with an advantage over Sony A5100. With 100% maximum ISO range of 51200, it beats Sony A5100’s 25600 ISO range. This is a clear win for Sony A6000.

AF Points

This is a very important spec in every camera, and in this case, both of our cameras have exactly the same 179 focus points. With high AF number Sony A5100 and A6000, both win this category.

White Balance Presets

White balance presets are very important for controlling the ‘light temperature’. With just one preset more than its opponent, Sony A5100 gets a slight advantage over Sony A6000.

LCD Screen

This is, once again, a case where both of our cameras turn out to be pretty great. Both having large 3.0-inch screens with a resolution of 922 dots they are absolutely equal in this category. A tie once again.

Video Resolution

Both Sony Alpha A5100 and A6000 allow you to record your videos at the highest resolution of 1920 x 1080 at 60p, 60i, 24p frames per second. They also both save in MPEG-4, AVCHD, and XAVC S formats. That’s why in this category it has to be a tie.

Shutter Speed

Both having exactly the same shutter speed range of 30 seconds for long exposures to a maximum of 1/4000 of a second to freeze any movement Sony A5100 and 6000 are once again on the same level and tied.

Built-in Flash

A built-in flash is something both of our cameras feature, and even though more serious photographers would avoid using flash because of the very harsh shadows that create, it’s always better to have more features on your camera. For that reason, this category is also a tie.

Available Lenses

Another category where both of our cameras have the exact same specs. With 64 available lenses for both Sony A5100 and Sony A6000, this category is not the one to make your decision on. It’s tied between these two once again.

Microphone port

Having a port for an external microphone is a big advantage since it reduces the AF motor sounds, but in this case, our cameras show a lack of that advantage. This is where they come to a tie once again.

Battery Life

Both of these cameras have a very short battery life where Sony A5100 can make 400 shots while Sony A6000 can make 360 shots. Even though A5100 can last longer without being charged as opposed to its opponent, this is definitely not its best quality. Still, the more the merrier, and a win for Sony Alpha A5100.

Continuous Shooting

A very important thing for shooting actions such as sport for example, or any other continuous movement. That’ why with its 11.0 frames per second Sony A6000 wins this category over Sony A5100’s 6.0 frames per second.

Dimensions

Even though neither of the cameras is too large, Sony A5100 has a slight advantage over Sony A6000 being just a little bit smaller. Although it’s not a big difference, it can be very noticeable when you carry it around for a long time. So, a narrow win for Sony A5100.

Weight

Weight is also very important in cameras since it can be a crucial specification when it comes to making a decision. You don’t want to carry around all day a camera that it’s too heavy. Being lighter at its 9.98 oz than 12.13 oz Sony A6000 weights, Sony A5100 wins a prize in this category.

Viewfinder

Lacking a viewfinder with no option for an external viewfinder, Sony A5100 is a great disadvantage since this can be a big problem when shooting under a strong light and the visibility of the LCD screen is limited.

On the other hand, Sony A6000 features an electronic built-in viewfinder with 1.440k dots and a coverage of 100%. This is a clear win for A6000.

Comparison for Different Types of Photography

Portrait Photography

As you can see looking through the table, Sony Alpha A6000 has an advantage over A5100 and that’s mostly based on the fact that it has an electronic built-in viewfinder.

This feature is very important during portrait photo shooting since it allows the photographer to stabilize the camera and reduce its shake being closer to the body. A clear win for Sony A6000.

Sony Alpha A5100	Sony Alpha A6000
Large APS-C (23.5 x 15.6) sensor	Large APS-C (23.5 x 15.6) sensor
24.0 MP Sensor	24.0 MP Sensor
Average Ergonomics and Handling	Average Ergonomics and Handling
No Image Stabilization	No Image Stabilization
No Built – In Viewfinder	Electronic Built – In Viewfinder

Street Photography

Both of our cameras look pretty good for use in this type of photography, but again, Sony Alpha A6000 gets an advantage over Sony Alpha A5100.

Even though both have some great features and spec, the electric built-in viewfinder is something that is missing in A5100 and is pretty important for street photography for the same reason as it is for portrait photography. Plus, it comes pretty handily when you can’t read an LCD screen under the bright sunlight. Another win for Sony Alpha A6000.

Sony Alpha A5100	Sony Alpha A6000
Live View	Live View
Face Detection Focusing	Face Detection Focusing
Tilting LCD Screen	Tilting LCD Screen
Large APS-C (23.5 x 15.6) sensor	Large APS-C (23.5 x 15.6) sensor
Medium Sized Body	Medium Sized Body
No Built – In Viewfinder	Electronic Built-In Viewfinder
No Image Stabilization	No Image Stabilization

Sports Photography

Having a fast continuous shooting of 11.0 frames per second as opposed to 6.0 frames per second Sony Alpha A5100 makes, Sony Alpha A6000 wins the prize in this category as well.

Sony Alpha A5100	Sony Alpha A6000
Fast Max Shutter Speed 1/4000	Fast Max Shutter Speed 1/4000
179 Focus Points	179 Focus Points
Good Low – Light ISO	Good Low – Light ISO
Wireless Connection	Wireless Connection
Average Continuous Shooting 6.0 fps	Fast Continuous Shooting 11.0 fps
Average Ergonomics and Handling	Average Ergonomics and Handling
Environmental Sealings	Environmental Sealings
No Built-in Viewfinder	Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
No Image Stabilization	No Image Stabilization

Daily Photography

Both of our cameras have medium-sized bodies and large APS-C sensors, but in this case, a slight advantage goes to Sony Alpha A5100 because it’s a little bit lighter than its opponent.

Sony Alpha A5100	Sony Alpha A6000
Large APS-C (23.5 x 15.6) sensor	Large APS-C (23.5 x 15.6) sensor
Medium size Body	Medium size Body
9.98 oz	12.13 oz

Landscape Photography

Looking over the table we can see that both of our cameras make a good candidate for this type of photography. Large APS-C sensors, live view and 24 MP sensor resolution in both cameras tell you that you can’t go wrong choosing either one of them.

Sony Alpha A5100	Sony Alpha A6000
Live View	Live View
Large APS-C Sensor	Large APS-C Sensor
24 MP Sensor	24 MP Sensor
Lacks Environmental sealing	Lacks Environmental Sealing

What Customers Say

Sony A5100

• Mirror flip-up screen great for selfies
• WiFi capability makes it easy to transfer photos

Read reviews of the A5100 on Amazon.

Sony A6000

• High-quality photos, even for beginners
• The basic lens is adequate and works well for landscape and people photography
• Consider an additional lens or two for more capability

Read reviews of the A6000 on Amazon.

Alternatives to Consider

Pentax

Pentax K-S2

Nikon

Nikon D5500 Nikon D5600

Read more about the Nikon D5600

Nikon D7100 24.1 MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR (Body Only)

Conclusion

Now, if the price is your main concern then Sony A5100 is going to fit you perfectly being a great camera, but if you think about what better features and functions you can get for a little more, maybe you should consider buying Sony A6000.

Still, we have to admit that the differences aren’t that big, even though A6000 comes out as a winner, it’s always up to you and what you need from a camera.

Hopefully, this article was helpful. Enjoy whichever camera you choose, and happy clicking!

Learn more about the Sony A5100 on Amazon.

Learn more about the Sony A6000 on Amazon.