Sony Alpha a5100 review

A small, well-featured compact system camera that's ideal for beginners

Sony Alpha A5100
It's small but the A5100 feels solid and nicely put together

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Exposure

Generally, the camera's metering system copes well to produce balanced exposures. Click here to see the full resolution image.

Focal length

At its widest point, the camera's kit lens gives a 35mm equivalent focal length of 24mm, making it ideal for capturing a wide view. Click here to see the full resolution image.

telephoto

At the telephoto end of the optic, you get a 75mm equivalent. Click here to see the full resolution image.

Detail

The amount of detail reproduced by the A5100's sensor is impressive. Click here to see the full resolution image.

Dynamic range

Use the Dynamic Range Optimiser if the scene has high contrast to produce a balanced exposure - but it can look a little unrealistic if you use it at its strongest. Click here to see the full resolution image.

Lighting

The A5100 has coped well here with the different lighting conditions in the scene to produce accurate colours. Click here to see the full resolution image.

low light

In low light situations, using the camera at ISO 3200 is still reliable, producing a great overall impression of detail. If you examine at 100%, you can see some examples of image smoothing. Click here to see the full resolution image.

Colours

Colours are beautifully vibrant, direct from the camera. Click here to see the full resolution image.

street

With its tilting screen and small size, the A5100 is discreet enough to be used for street photography. Click here to see the full resolution image.

macro

A good range of decent lenses are available for the Sony E mount now - this was shot with the excellent 30mm f/3.5 macro lens. Click here to see the full resolution image.

panorama

Use the A5100 to take ultra wide angle photos with the excellent Sweep Panorama function. Click here to see the full resolution image.

Picture Effects

A range of different effects are available, as follows.

No Effect

No Effect

Toy Camera (Normal)

Toy Camera (Normal)

Toy Camera (Cool)

Toy Camera (Cool)

Toy Camera (Warm)

Toy Camera (Warm)

Toy Camera (Green)

Toy Camera (Green)

Toy Camera (Magenta)

Toy Camera (Magenta)

Pop Color

Pop Color

Posterization: Color

Posterization: Color

Posterization (B/W)

Posterization (B/W)

Retro Photo

Retro Photo

Soft High Key

Soft High Key

High Contrast Mono

High Contrast Mono

Soft Focus

Soft Focus

HDR Painting

HDR Painting

Rich-tone Mono

Rich-tone Mono

Miniature

Miniature

Watercolor

Watercolor

Illustration

Illustration
Amy Davies

Amy has been writing about cameras, photography and associated tech since 2009. Amy was once part of the photography testing team for Future Publishing working across TechRadar, Digital Camera, PhotoPlus, N Photo and Photography Week. For her photography, she has won awards and has been exhibited. She often partakes in unusual projects - including one intense year where she used a different camera every single day. Amy is currently the Features Editor at Amateur Photographer magazine, and in her increasingly little spare time works across a number of high-profile publications including Wired, Stuff, Digital Camera World, Expert Reviews, and just a little off-tangent, PetsRadar.