Sony Alpha 5100 Detailed Review

See all images of the Sony Alpha 5100

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In additional Alpha 5100 was introduced by Sony in August 2014. It belongs to the Mirrorless Cameras category.

Sony is well-known and shouldn’t require further introduction, please see our manufacturer’s page for more digital cameras by Sony.

Brand Sony
Category Mirrorless
Date 08/2014
Sensor Properties

Also Alpha 5100 has a APS-C CMOS sensor with size of 24 x 16 mm² (0.93″ x 0.61″).

Picture of Alpha 5100’s sensor compared to popular format.

Infographic: Alpha 5100 comparing sensor sizes

The 1-Euro coin has a diameter of 23.25mm.

Note: APS-C sensors made by Sony are slightly larger than those from other manufacturers.

The Alpha 5100’s sensor has resolution of 24 megapixel.

The Sony supports taking images in RAW. RAW images are stored as they come from the sensor, without any in-camera processing or sharpening. Converting to JPEG or other formats takes place on the computer, using software like Adobe Lightroom or Sony’s RAW converter. This involves one extra processing step but almost always results in superior image quality. Some filters, like converting to monochrome (black and white) will only yield decent results when used with RAW images.

The Alpha 5100 features a mechanism for automatic sensor cleaning.

Format APS-C
Sensor area 23.50 x 15.60mm²
(0.93″ x 0.61″)
Type CMOS
Resolution (physical) 24.70 megapixel
Resolution (effective) 24.30 megapixel
Pixel size 15.30 µm²
Sensor cleaning
RAW support
Continuous 6 frames/second
Lens
Interchangeable lens
Mount Sony E Mount
Viewfinder Properties

The Alpha 5100 does not come with a built-in viewfinder. The camera’s display is used to compose the photo. That can be cumbersome in broad daylight.

Shutter

The Alpha 5100’s shutter speed varies from 1/4000s to 30s.

Max. shutter speed 1/4000s
Min. shutter speed 30s
Sensitivity Properties

The Alpha 5100’s sensitivity goes from 100 ISO und 25600 ISO, a very useful and practical range.

Automatic
Min. sensitivity 100 ISO
Max. sensitivity 25600 ISO
Exposure Modes

The Alpha 5100 supports all general exposure modes.

The Sony allows spot exposure for the difficult occasion.

Multi
Center weight
Partial
Spot
Auto Focus Properties

The Alpha 5100’s auto focus processor uses 179 AF points (or sensors). A basic rule of thumb says that the more AF points you have, the better. More AF points mean a better chance to have a point at the location of interest in a scene, a big plus in challenging situations (e.g. when panning the camera).

Manual focus is also possible with the Sony, a plus in tricky situations or for some creative freedom.

Type Hybrid
AF points 179
Manual focusing
Flash Specs

The Alpha 5100 features a built-in flash with a range of up to 6m (20 ft.). That range will work for most situations.

A hotshoe is missing from the Sony.

Built-in
Range 6.00m
(20 ft.)
Hot shoe
Display Specs

The Alpha 5100 features a monitor with a diagonal of 75.00mm (3.0 in.) and a resolution of c. 0.92 megapixel. That’s about average.

The camera’s display is articulated, a plus for selfies and other challenging situations.

The Alpha 5100 does not feature a touch screen.

Display characteristics at a glance:

Type LCD
Size 75.00mm (diagonal)
(3.0 in.)
Resolution 0.92 megapixel
Articulated
Touch screen
Video Specs

Alpha 5100 video supported the resolution with 1920 x 1080 pixel.

ACamera is not equipped with an external microphone.

Sony Alpha 5100 Video parameters:

Max. resolution 1920 x 1080 pixel
…with frame rates 24 frames/second
25 frames/second
30 frames/second
50 frames/second
60 frames/second
External microphone
Connectivity & Wireless Specs

The Alpha 5100 has Wifi connectivity already built-in. Use Wifi to transfer images to a smartphone or computer and to remote control the camera. With NFC, camera and smartphone can be paired without the need for passwords.

Typical for Sony, the camera supports device specific apps that can enhance the functionality of the camera and that can be downloaded from the internet..

Connect the Sony to a monitor or TV set over HDMI.

The Sony supports USB 2.0.

Connection parameters:

WiFi
Bluetooth
NFC
Remote (wired)
Remote (infrared)
Apps
HDMI (standard)
HDMI (mini)
HDMI (micro)
USB 2.0
USB 3.0
USB Micro
USB Mini
USB-C
Custom
Memory

The camera will accept all common SD HC and SD XC cards. Sony MemorySticks can be used, too.

Memory cards characteristics:

Slots 1
Memory cards SD
SDHC
SDXC
Micro SD
Memory Stick Pro Duo
Memory Stick Micro
Battery

The Sony Alpha 5100 has a NP-FW50 LiIon battery. The battery provides a shooting life of 400 shots. It`s enough for one day or more.

The battery can be charged over USB while in camera. Very useful, especially on vacation when most people bring a USB charger for their smartphone anyway.

The Alpha 5100’s battery battery parameters:

Type NP-FW50 LiIon
Removable
In-camera charging
Battery life 400 photos
Size

The Sony Alpha 5100’s dimensions are 109.6 x 62.8 x 35.7mm³. (4.3″ x 2.5″ x 1.4″). That’s the body only, without lens. The camera’s weight is only 270 grams (8.7 oz.). Add to this the weight of the lens.

Here is front and top view of the Alpha 5100:

Dimensions Comparison

To put the size of the camera in context, here it is next to a typical ID card (c. 86mm x 55mm, about the size of a credit card).

The Alpha 5100 is not much bigger:

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