Sony a5100 vs Sony a33

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a5100 and Sony a33. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony a5100 were released 2014 and Sony a33 was released 2010. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a5100 2014
Sony a33 2010

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Sony APS-C") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a5100 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Sony a33 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 a5100 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a33 has 14 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a5100 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Sony a33 14 MP
14033152 pixels
4592 x 3056

Sony a5100 has a 71 % larger resolution than Sony a33. 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 a5100 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a33. Sony a5100 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Sony a33 has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a5100 100-25600
Sony a33 100-12800

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 a5100
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a33

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a5100 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Sony a33 can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a5100 6
Sony a33 7

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Sony a5100 and Sony a33 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 a33 weighs 500 gr (equal to 1.1 lb) which is 77% heavier than Sony a5100 and its 283 gr (or 0.62 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a5100 283 gr
0.62 lb
Sony a33 500 gr
1.1 lb

Sony a5100 vs Sony a33 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a5100 and Sony a33, 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 a5100
Sony a33
Name Sony a5100 Sony a33
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a5100
Sony a33
Release Year 2014 2010
Release Date 2014-08-18 2010-08-24
MSRP 549 USD 949 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a5100
Sony a33
Camera Type Mirrorless SLT
Sensor
Sony a5100
Sony a33
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 4592 x 3056 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 14 MP
Image Processor Bionz X Bionz
Image
Sony a5100
Sony a33
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 10 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a5100
Sony a33
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 179 15
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
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 a5100
Sony a33
Articulated LCD Tilting Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 921600 921000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type No Viewfinder Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.1× (0.73× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Sony a5100
Sony a33
Frames per second 6 fps 7 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 4 meters 10 meters
External Flash No Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a5100
Sony a33
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
XF-AVC
AVCHD
MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Sony a5100
Sony a33
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a5100
Sony a33
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n with NFC)
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (wired or PC) Yes (Optional)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a5100
Sony a33
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and USB charger
Rechargeable NP-FW50 battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 400 shots 270 shots
Width 110 mm 124 mm
Height 63 mm 92 mm
Depth 36 mm 85 mm
Weight 283 gram 500 gram