Sony’s has definitely beefed up its Alpha line these past
couple of months with various additions to the range including its top-spec’d A7
line. And now the company is extending the experience to more
budget-challenged customer with the Alpha 5100.
The camera is meant to be the replacement of Sony’s NEX-5T
from the company’s previous ILC line and is almost identical to the Alpha
6000 ILC that was announced last February at CP+.
The A5100 comes with the same 24.3MP APS-C sized Exmor CMOS
sensor with Sony’s latest Bionz X image processor. It also comes with the same
Hybrid AF system in the A6000 including its 179-phase detection points.
However, unlike the A6000, this camera doesn’t have an
electronic viewfinder, but what you do get is a 921k-dot display with touch
functionality that can flip 180 degrees in case you fancy doing a selfie with
this ILC.
The camera also comes with built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, and is
capable of recording XAVC S video at up to ISO 25600. Sony will be offering the
A5100 starting next month for around $700 with a 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 power-zoom
kit lens.