Sony

Sony ILCE5100/B Alpha a5100 Mirrorless Camera Body Black

4.5 (1270 reviews)

Compact 24.3MP mirrorless camera with the world's fastest autofocus and a flip-up touchscreen for easy selfies and vlogging.

$439.89*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jun 04, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Sony Alpha a5100 is a mirrorless camera designed for photographers who want serious image quality without the bulk of a larger body. At its core is a 24.3-megapixel APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor paired with a BIONZ X image processor, delivering sharp, richly detailed photos and smooth Full HD video at up to 60 frames per second. The hybrid autofocus system, featuring 179 phase-detection points, locks onto subjects in as little as 0.07 seconds — making it one of the fastest AF systems in its class and well-suited for capturing fast-moving subjects or fleeting moments.

Despite its compact dimensions, the a5100 includes a 3-inch flip-up touchscreen LCD that tilts 180 degrees for easy selfie framing, along with built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for instant sharing to a smartphone. The pop-up flash provides fill light when needed, and continuous shooting at 6 frames per second with autofocus tracking keeps up with action scenes. The camera's ISO range of 100–25600 ensures usable results in challenging lighting conditions. Sold here as a body only, it accepts any Sony E-mount lens, giving photographers the flexibility to build a system around their specific needs — from wide-angle primes to telephoto zooms.

Key Features

Video Clip Length Up to 29 Min

Specifications

Sensor
24.3MP Exmor APS HD CMOS
Autofocus
179 phase-detection AF points, 0.07s AF speed
Continuous Shooting
6fps with AF tracking
ISO Range
100–25600
Video Recording
Full HD 1080p at 24/60fps, up to 50Mb/s
Max Video Clip Length
29 minutes
LCD Screen
3-inch flip-up touchscreen
Flash
Built-in pop-up
Connectivity
Wi-Fi, NFC
Lens Mount
Sony E-mount
Color
Black
Model
ILCE5100/B

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Ultra-fast hybrid autofocus with 179 phase-detection points and 0.07-second lock-on speed
  • Extremely compact and lightweight body that fits easily in a jacket pocket or small bag
  • Flip-up touchscreen LCD makes composing selfies and vlog-style shots simple
  • Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC allow quick wireless image transfer and remote shooting from a smartphone
  • 24.3MP APS-C sensor delivers sharp, detailed images with strong low-light performance up to ISO 25600

👎 Cons

  • No built-in electronic viewfinder, making it difficult to compose shots in bright sunlight
  • Video recording is limited to Full HD 1080p with no 4K option
  • No in-body image stabilization, so you must rely on optically stabilized lenses for shake reduction
  • Limited physical controls and no dedicated mode dial, requiring more menu navigation
  • Video clip length is capped at 29 minutes per recording

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the a5100 does not have a built-in electronic viewfinder. It relies on its 3-inch flip-up LCD touchscreen for framing and reviewing shots.
The a5100 uses the Sony E-mount system, giving you access to a wide range of native and adapted lenses.
No, the a5100 records Full HD 1080p video at up to 60fps with a bitrate of up to 50Mb/s. It does not support 4K recording.
Video clips can be recorded for up to 29 minutes per clip.
No, the a5100 body does not have in-body image stabilization. Stabilization depends on the lens you attach.