Sony a1 vs Sony a5100
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a1 and Sony a5100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.
Sony a1 were released 2021 and Sony a5100 was released 2014. That is a 7 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a1 | 2021 |
Sony a5100 | 2014 |
Type of camera
Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Sony a1 has a "Sony Full Frame"-sensor while Sony a5100 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.
Camera | Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 ** |
Sony a1 | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
Sony a5100 | 75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"
Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Resolution
Sony a1 has a 50 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a5100 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Sony a1 |
50 MP
49766400 pixels 8640 x 5760 |
Sony a5100 |
24 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
Sony a1 has a 107 % larger resolution than Sony a5100. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.
ISO range
Sony a1 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a5100. Sony a1 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 32000 while Sony a5100 has 100 to 25600.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a1 | 100-32000 |
Sony a5100 | 100-25600 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.
Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a1
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a5100
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a1 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds and Sony a5100 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a1 | 30 |
Sony a5100 | 6 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Sony a1 and Sony a5100 can shoot movies.
Weight
The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.
Sony a1 weighs 737 gr (equal to 1.62 lb) which is 160% heavier than Sony a5100 and its 283 gr (or 0.62 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a1 | 737 gr 1.62 lb |
Sony a5100 | 283 gr 0.62 lb |
Sony a1 vs Sony a5100 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a1 and Sony a5100, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.
Product |
Sony a1 |
Sony a5100 |
Name | Sony a1 | Sony a5100 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Sony |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a1 |
Sony a5100 |
Release Year | 2021 | 2014 |
Release Date | 2021-01-26 | 2014-08-18 |
MSRP | 6499 USD | 549 USD |
Buy it today |
![]() |
![]() |
Camera Type |
Sony a1 |
Sony a5100 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
Sensor |
Sony a1 |
Sony a5100 |
Sensor Size | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) | APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) |
Sensor Type | Stacked CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 8640 x 5760 pixels | 6000 x 4000 pixels |
Megapixels | 50 MP | 24 MP |
Image Processor | Dual Bionz XR | Bionz X |
Image |
Sony a1 |
Sony a5100 |
ISO Range | 100 - 32000 | 100 - 25600 |
White Balance Presets | 7 | 10 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-shift) |
No |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a1 |
Sony a5100 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 759 | 179 |
Lens Mount |
Sony E See Compatible Lenses |
Sony E See Compatible Lenses |
Focal Length Multiplier |
Full frame No multiplier Example: 24 mm remains 24 mm 50 mm remains 50 mm 100 mm remains 100 mm 200 mm remains 200 mm |
APS-C Sensor (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Sony a1 |
Sony a5100 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 1440000 | 921600 |
Touch screen | Yes | Yes |
Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | No Viewfinder |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.9× | |
Viewfinder Resolution | 9437184 | 0 |
Photography features |
Sony a1 |
Sony a5100 |
Frames per second | 30 fps | 6 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | No | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | N/A | 4 meters |
External Flash | Yes | No |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | Yes |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Highlight Weighted Spot Average |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a1 |
Sony a5100 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
H.264 H.265 XF-AVC XAVC-S XAVC-HS |
MPEG4 XF-AVC AVCHD |
Video resolution |
1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 7680 x 4320 |
1440 x 1080 1920 x 1080 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Sony a1 |
Sony a5100 |
Memory Card |
Compact Flash Express SD/SDHC |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a1 |
Sony a5100 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | Yes | No |
Headphone Port | Yes | No |
Wireless |
Yes Built-In 802.11ac (Dual Band) |
Yes Built-in (802.11b/g/n with NFC) |
Remote Control | Yes (via Bluetooth or tethered PC) | Yes (wired or PC) |
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a1 |
Sony a5100 |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery & charger
![]() |
NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and USB charger
![]() |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 530 shots | 400 shots |
Width | 129 mm | 110 mm |
Height | 97 mm | 63 mm |
Depth | 81 mm | 36 mm |
Weight | 737 gram | 283 gram |