Sony Alpha 5100 review

September 17, 2014

Overall Rating:

4.5

Sony Alpha 5100

Features:
Build/Handling:
Metering:
Autofocus:
AWB Colour:
Dynamic Range:
LCD viewfinder:

Pros:

- Superb resolution and autofocus speed
- Lightweight, but tough with a compact body
- Advanced video filming capabilities

Cons:

- Only six frames per second continuous shooting
- Touchscreen limited to taking pictures only
- No input for external microphone

Manufacturer:

Manufacturer: Sony

With 24.3-million-pixels, 179-point hybrid autofocus and advanced video, is the Sony Alpha 5100 the most high- tech, entry-level APS-C camera yet? In our Sony Alpha 5100 review Jon Devo finds out

Video

Capable of recording full HD, 1920 x 1080-pixel movies in either cinematic 24 frames per second, or 50p/50i, the video recording capabilities of the Alpha 5100 surpass those of many DSLRs twice its size, and even its pricier relation, the Alpha 6000.

This is because Sony has made it possible to record broadcast-quality XAVC S 25p footage at a high bit-rate of 50Mb/s, or Blu-ray quality AVCHD, while simultaneously recording in the less hefty MP4 codec for uploading straight to web or creating rush edits.

Professional video makers can also use the Alpha 5100 to film uncompressed 8-bit 4:2:2 video using an external recording device connected via the clean HDMI port provided.

The only drawback is the lack of an input for an external microphone, but it is common for professionals to record audio separately so this may not be an issue for some.