Sony
Alpha 5000
Ultra-compact entry E-mount body that brought mirrorless to the mass market.
$399
Launch priceReleased Apr 2014
Sony
Alpha 6100
Compact APS-C body with real-time Eye AF, 11fps burst, and 4K video for beginners stepping up.
$749
Launch priceReleased Aug 2019
Alpha 6100 is 5.4 years newer.
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Wins
Alpha 5000
Wins
Alpha 6100
6 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AAlpha 5000 has higher 4K max frame rate (60 fps vs 29.97 fps)
- BAlpha 6100 has higher Burst (mechanical) (11 fps vs 6 fps)
- AAlpha 5000 has higher RAW buffer depth (60 frames vs 33 frames)
- AAlpha 5000 has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 425)
- AAlpha 5000 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (640 shots vs 380 shots)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareAlpha 5000
110 × 63 × 33 mm
269 g (0.59 lb / 9.49 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Alpha 6100
120 × 67 × 59 mm
396 g (0.87 lb / 13.97 oz)
Alpha 5000 is 10mm narrower, 4mm shorter, and 27mm thinner than Alpha 6100.
Alpha 5000 is 127 g lighter than Alpha 6100.
Depth (front-to-back): 33mm Alpha 5000 · 59mm Alpha 6100
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Alpha 5000
110 × 63 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 6100
120 × 67 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Alpha 5000
110 × 33 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 6100
120 × 59 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 5000
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
Alpha 6100
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Alpha 5000
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Alpha 6100
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
Alpha 5000
AF low-light limit
-4 EV vs -2 EV — lower is better
Codecs
Adds H.265, H.264
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 109.6, 62.8, 32.7
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II
4K max frame rate
60 fps vs 29.97 fps — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
60 frames vs 33 frames — higher is better
AF points / zones
759 vs 425 — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 380 shots — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 6100
Codecs
Adds XAVC S, AVCHD
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 120, 66.9, 59.4
Card types
Adds SD, SDHC, SDXC…
Touchscreen
Only Alpha 6100 supports it
Burst (mechanical)
11 fps vs 6 fps — higher is better
ISO max (native)
32,000 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Resolution
24.2 MP vs 20.1 MP — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 94 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Burst (electronic) — Both 11 fps
- ✓Card slots — Both 1
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Alpha 5000
Pros
- ✓Very affordable
- ✓Compact
- ✓20MP APS-C
- ✓Flip screen
Cons
- –No EVF
- –Very dated
- –Limited controls
Alpha 6100
Pros
- ✓Real-time Eye AF
- ✓11fps burst
- ✓Compact body
- ✓Affordable E-mount
Cons
- –No IBIS
- –Small grip
- –Superseded by newer APS-C
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Alpha 5000 and Alpha 6100 at major authorized retailers.
Sony Alpha 5000
Sony Alpha 6100
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for vlogging, Alpha 5000 or Alpha 6100?
Alpha 5000 scores 6.0/10 versus 4.0/10 for Alpha 6100 — 269g — easy to handhold for selfie video.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 5000 and Alpha 6100?
Alpha 5000 is 20.1 MP and Alpha 6100 is 24.2 MP, so the Alpha 6100 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
How does stabilization compare between the Alpha 5000 and Alpha 6100?
Alpha 5000 does not have IBIS, while Alpha 6100 does not have IBIS.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 5000 or the Alpha 6100?
Alpha 5000 reaches 11 fps electronic. Alpha 6100 reaches 11 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 5000 and Alpha 6100?
Alpha 5000 weighs 269 g and Alpha 6100 weighs 396 g, so the Alpha 5000 is 127 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 5000 and Alpha 6100 record 4K video?
Alpha 5000: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 6100: 4K up to 29.97p.
Are the Alpha 5000 and Alpha 6100 weather sealed?
Alpha 5000: No. Alpha 6100: No.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 5000 and 380 shots for the Alpha 6100, giving the Alpha 5000 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 5000 launched at $399 and Alpha 6100 at $749. The Alpha 5000 is $350 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 5000 vs Alpha 6100 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.