Photography

Sony focuses on size and speed with the A5100

Sony focuses on size and speed with the A5100
The Sony Alpha A5100 features a 24.3-megapixel APS-C sensor and a super-fast autofocus system
The Sony Alpha A5100 features a 24.3-megapixel APS-C sensor and a super-fast autofocus system
View 11 Images
The Sony Alpha A5100 has a tilting three-inch touchscreen TFT LCD monitor with 921,600 dots
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The Sony Alpha A5100 has a tilting three-inch touchscreen TFT LCD monitor with 921,600 dots
The Sony Alpha A5100 measures just 109.6 x 62.8 x 35.7 mm (4.3 x 2.5 x 1.4 in)
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The Sony Alpha A5100 measures just 109.6 x 62.8 x 35.7 mm (4.3 x 2.5 x 1.4 in)
The Sony Alpha A5100 has an ISO range of 100–25,600, and can shoot at a respectable 6 fps
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The Sony Alpha A5100 has an ISO range of 100–25,600, and can shoot at a respectable 6 fps
The Sony Alpha A5100 will cost US$550 body-only, or $700 with a 16-50-mm Power Zoom lens
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The Sony Alpha A5100 will cost US$550 body-only, or $700 with a 16-50-mm Power Zoom lens
The rear monitor on the Sony Alpha A5100 tilts 180 degrees, making shooting selfies easier
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The rear monitor on the Sony Alpha A5100 tilts 180 degrees, making shooting selfies easier
The Sony Alpha A5100 will be available in black, white or brown
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The Sony Alpha A5100 will be available in black, white or brown
The Sony Alpha A5100 uses E-mount lenses
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The Sony Alpha A5100 uses E-mount lenses
The Sony Alpha A5100 has the option of clean HDMI output for external recording.
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The Sony Alpha A5100 has the option of clean HDMI output for external recording.
A zoom lever on the Sony Alpha A5100 allows for power-zoom lens control
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A zoom lever on the Sony Alpha A5100 allows for power-zoom lens control
The Sony Alpha A5100 features a 24.3-megapixel APS-C sensor and a super-fast autofocus system
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The Sony Alpha A5100 features a 24.3-megapixel APS-C sensor and a super-fast autofocus system
The Sony Alpha A5100 offers Wi-Fi and NFC for easy wireless sharing and remote control
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The Sony Alpha A5100 offers Wi-Fi and NFC for easy wireless sharing and remote control
View gallery - 11 images

Sony has added to its line-up of mirrorless cameras with the A5100, a small but seemingly very capable shooter which fits in between the entry-level A5000 and the more enthusiast-focused A6000. The new camera features a 24.3-megapixel APS-C sensor, a super-fast autofocus system, a tilting touchscreen monitor, and built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity.

The Alpha A5100 (or ILCE-5100, or α5100, depending on how you like to refer to your Sony cameras) boasts some solid photographic credentials. At the heart of the camera is a 24.3-megapixel APS-C size (23.5 x 15.6 mm) Exmor CMOS sensor and the same BIONZ X image processor seen in the A7 cameras. As such, the A5100 has an ISO range of 100–25,600, and can shoot at a respectable 6 fps in continuous mode with AF tracking.

A Fast Hybrid AF system, which can be used for movies or stills, features 179 phase detection and 25 contrast detection AF points. This means the camera can achieve autofocus with DSLR-rivaling speeds of as little as 0.07 seconds. The A5100 can also record Full HD 1080p video at 60/50/24 fps, and in addition to AVCHD and MP4, it supports the more pro-focused XAVC S format at 50 Mbps. The option of clean HDMI output is also there for external recording.

Sony has managed to squeeze all of this into a body which measures just 109.6 x 62.8 x 35.7 mm (4.3 x 2.5 x 1.4 in) and weighs 283 g (10 oz). While those dimensions apparently didn't allow for the inclusion of a built-in EVF like that on the A6000, the rear three-inch touchscreen TFT LCD monitor has a respectable 921,600 dots. The screen also tilts 180 degrees, which should make composing selfies easier. A zoom lever allows for power-zoom lens control.

The rear monitor on the Sony Alpha A5100 tilts 180 degrees, making shooting selfies easier
The rear monitor on the Sony Alpha A5100 tilts 180 degrees, making shooting selfies easier

The camera is compatible with the downloadable Sony PlayMemories Camera Apps, and its built-in Wi-Fi and NFC should make for easy wireless transfer and remote control with compatible Android and iOS devices. The A5100 also has a built in pop-up flash (though it lacks a hot shoe) and it uses the growing range of E-mount lenses.

The Sony Alpha A5100 will be available from September in black, white or brown for US$550 body-only. It will also be bundled with a 16-50-mm F3.5-F5.6 Power Zoom lens for $700.

You can see a bit more about the A5100 in the video from Sony Europe below.

Product page: Sony A5100

Detailed look at the Sony a5100 interchangeable lens camera

View gallery - 11 images
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