Sony a5100 vs Sony a7

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a5100 and Sony a7. 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 a7 was released 2013. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a5100 2014
Sony a7 2013

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a5100 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Sony a7 has a "Sony Full Frame"-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 a5100 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Sony a7 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** 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

Both these cameras have the exact same resolution. Sony a5100 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a7 has 24 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 a7 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

ISO range

Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a5100 100-25600
Sony a7 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 a5100
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a7

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 a7 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a5100 6
Sony a7 5

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 a7 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 a7 weighs 474 gr (equal to 1.04 lb) which is 67% heavier than Sony a5100 and its 283 gr (or 0.62 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a5100 283 gr
0.62 lb
Sony a7 474 gr
1.04 lb

Sony a5100 vs Sony a7 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a5100 and Sony a7, 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 a7
Name Sony a5100 Sony a7
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a5100
Sony a7
Release Year 2014 2013
Release Date 2014-08-18 2013-10-16
MSRP 549 USD 1699 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a5100
Sony a7
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a5100
Sony a7
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 24 MP
Image Processor Bionz X Bionz X
Image
Sony a5100
Sony a7
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 10 10
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a5100
Sony a7
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
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 179 117
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Sony E

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
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
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a5100
Sony a7
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 921600 1230000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD Xtra Fine LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type No Viewfinder Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71×
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Sony a5100
Sony a7
Frames per second 6 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 4 meters N/A
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) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a5100
Sony a7
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
XF-AVC
AVCHD
MPEG4
AVCHD
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a5100
Sony a7
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a5100
Sony a7
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n with NFC)
Yes
Built-In ( with NFC and wireless control via PlayMemories Mobile app)
Remote Control Yes (wired or PC) Yes (wired)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a5100
Sony a7
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and USB charger
NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 400 shots 340 shots
Width 110 mm 127 mm
Height 63 mm 94 mm
Depth 36 mm 48 mm
Weight 283 gram 474 gram