Okay, so it’s 2019 but we know there are still a number of photographers considering the Sony a5100 and the Canon 70D. And perhaps, a number of them are torn between the two cameras. If that sounds like you, then you are the sole reason for our Sony a5100 vs Canon 70D comparison today.
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| Get the Sony a5100 here! | Get the Canon 70D here! |
At first blush, you can tell that the Sony a5100 and Canon 70D are two different cameras, and that’s besides the fact that they are from different brands. The Sony a5100 is a mirrorless camera with a smaller and more compact body size than the Canon 70D which is a DSLR camera.
Besides that, each of these cameras are geared towards different sectors of the market. While the Sony a5100 is an entry-level camera, the Canon 70D appears to be a semi-pro camera. And you can also tell from the price as well.
As you know, more and more people are beginning to favor the mirrorless style cameras over DSLRs. But just before you jump on one camera over the other due to current fad, you might want to check out our comparison review of these cameras first.
Since this is going to be a lengthy review, we totally understand it if you might not be able to spare the time. Our comparison overview section (and subsections) should give you all the info you need to make a decision in a snap. Also, if you’d like a Sony vs Sony comparison of more affordable cameras, check this out.
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D – Comparison Overview
Like we said earlier, this comparison review is going to be a lengthy one. If you can’t spare the time, the following subsections right up to “which situation is each camera better for?” will help you make a quick decision.
We’d rather you read the entire review though as it contains all the precise details you need to make an excellent decision. It’s your surest bet to avoiding buyer’s remorse.
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| Get the Sony a5100 here! | Get the Canon 70D here! |
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D – Where Both Cameras Get It Right
First off, these cameras have wonderful sensors so they give beautiful image quality for both stills and videos as well.
They also have fantastic RAW support and with the Canon 70D, you can even process the RAW photos in-camera.
Wireless transfer, face detection focus, AE bracketing, and smartphone remote control are also other aspects where these cameras both do a great job. We might lean more towards the Canon 70D for smartphone remote control though. Seems to be a much smoother process.
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D – Where The Sony a5100 Does It Better
First, it has a lighter and smaller body which makes it ideal for traveling. And then it’s an interchangeable lens camera so if you already have your old Sony E mount glass, all you need is an adapter and you can use anyone you like.
The camera performs better than the Canon 70D in low light and also has a better dynamic range as well. We love the autofocus system too. It’s faster and more accurate than you have it on the Canon 70D.
Also, the Sony a5100 has the sharper sensor too. Plus, in video mode, it has a higher frame rate, up to 60 frames per second (the Canon 70D only does a max of 30 frames per second) which is great for achieving slow motion videos in post.
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| Get the Sony a5100 here! | Get the Canon 70D here! |
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D – Where The Canon 70D Does It Better
The Canon 70D is a fantastic DSLR camera with an optical viewfinder which the Sony a5100 lacks. It also has a better battery life of about 900 shots and does not overheat as the Sony a5100 is known to do.
It has an audio in, which is nice. The Sony a5100 lacks that. It also has a weather-sealed body which ensures durability.
The Canon 70D’s LCD screen is much better than that of the Sony a5100 in all ramifications. The screen articulates fully, is fully touch sensitive (unlike the Sony a5100’s which only touches for focus) and has a much sharper resolution as well.
This camera also has the faster max shutter speed and a larger flash coverage area than the Sony a5100. And then it has way more available lenses than the Sony a5100 – about 300 lenses, while the Sony a5100 only has about 120 available lenses.
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D – Where Both Cameras Get It Wrong
These cameras do not come with an image stabilization system. So, you’d either have to go for IS lenses (the Canon 70D has more of those available) or work with a tripod almost every time.
Also, they both lack headphone ports which means that you can’t monitor audio except with an external monitor.
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| Get the Sony a5100 here! | Get the Canon 70D here! |
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D – Our Opinion On The Price/Value Ratio
On pricing, we’d say both Sony and Canon did a good job pricing these babies. Even the Canon 70D which is semi-pro is not unbearably expensive. It’s obvious the two companies made an effort to balance the price vis-à-vis the features offered.
In fact, for the price of these babies, we feel like customers are getting amazing deals on whichever of these cameras you decide to go for.
For the Sony a5100, you can get it for under five hundred bucks. And even in some quarters, you might even be able to get free shipping if you are shopping savvy.
As for the Canon 70D, it sells for less than a thousand bucks, but that’s just for the base. And if you get it with the 18-55 millimeter lens, you could get it for a little more than that but still under a thousand bucks. Either way, as you can see, for a DSLR, it is quite an affordable price.
So, yes for us, the price/value ratio of these cameras are ideal. Get any of these if you’re so inclined.
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| Get the Sony a5100 here! | Get the Canon 70D here! |
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D – Comparative Brand Strengths
We all know Sony and Canon, right? These aren’t newbies in the photography community and they definitely have their fans, followers, and what not. A similarity between both brands is that they are Japanese brands as are many other camera-making brands.
But here’s a summary of their individual strengths in the market.
Sony is a newer brand in comparison to Canon but the brand has not hesitated to put its foot into constantly researching and evolving for its customers. Unlike Canon, Sony focuses mostly on mirrorless cameras – the ones with the full frames. And trust us when we say that it’s truly got its customers hooked on its cameras.
From the alpha R to the alpha S cameras, Sony has blessed the world of photography and videography with some of the most detailed, low light champions in the industry both for video and for stills.
On the other hand, there’s Canon which is an older brand in comparison to the Sony a5100. It’s no surprise, therefore, that Canon mostly focuses on DSLR cameras. It also has a number of cameras in the compact and mirrorless categories. However, its main offerings would be DSLRs.
Now, in brand strength, Canon ranks higher than Sony especially in the European and North American markets. In fact, Canon is like the most respected camera maker in the world, period. Most professionals depend on their cameras and as you might guess, their cameras typically run pricey. But then, they also have their less pricey cameras as well targeted towards beginners and hobbyists.
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D – Comparison Table Of Major Specs And Features
Sony a5100 |
Canon 70D | |
| Announcement Date | 17th August, 2014 | 31st October, 2013 |
| Sensor Resolution | 24 Megapixels | 20 Megapixels |
| Mount | Sony E (NEX) Mount | Canon EF/EF-S Mount |
| Screen | 3 Inch Flip Up Screen | 3 Inch Fully Articulated Screen |
| Screen Resolution | 922k dots | 1.040k dots |
| Viewfinder | None | Optical Viewfinder (Pentaprism) |
| Continuous Mode | 6 Frames Per Second | 7 Frames Per Second |
| ISO | 100 – 25600 | 100 – 12800 |
| Focus Points | 179 | 19 |
| Color Depth | 23.5 | 22.5 |
| Dynamic Range | 12.7 | 11.6 |
| Low Light ISO | 1347 | 926 |
| Microphone Port | No | Yes |
| External Flash Shoe | No | Yes |
| Flash Coverage | 4.0 meters | 12.0 meters |
| Max Shutter Speed | 1/4000s | 1/8000s |
| Sensor Pixel Area | 15.28µm2 | 16.91µm2 |
| NFC Connection | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 400 shots | 920 shots |
| Weather-Sealing | No | Yes |
| Dimensions | 110 x 63 x 36 millimeters | 139 x 104 x 79 millimeters |
| Weight | 283 grams | 755 grams |
| Get the Sony a5100 here! | Get the Canon 70D here! |
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| Get the Sony a5100 here! | Get the Canon 70D here! |
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D – Which Situation Is Each Camera Better For?
Sony a5100 |
Canon 70D |
| The first observable feature of the Sony a5100 and part of what gives it its competitive edge is its size. The Sony a5100 is a pretty small camera that sits somewhere between a compact point and shoot and a full frame mirrorless camera. Because of its neat size, it easily works for people who need a travel camera. You know, something lightweight and compact that won’t slow you down on your adventures. If you’re up for that kind of camera, then you should check out the Sony a5100. This camera is also great for general vlogging or Youtubing. It comes with a screen that flips up. This means that one-man vloggers can use this camera for their work and see themselves as they shoot. It’s also a great idea for photographers with clients that like to see themselves while shooting them in a video. So, rather than bring along a monitor, the screen could work. It’s not the sharpest, but the screen serves. And it also makes the camera great for taking selfies and all of that. The Sony a5100 is also great in low light but it’s not mind blowing, you know, compared to other higher end Sony cameras. It’s okay all the same and can serve your average low light needs. If you love to do a lot of slow motion work, then this camera could also serve. It shoots at 60 frames per second with which you can achieve your 24 frames per second slow motion. So, in all, this is a great camera for stills and video as well. It’s definitely not over the top but, at this price point, you’ve got to hand it to the Sony a5100. It’s good some quality to write home about. | On the other hand, we have the semi-pro DSLR, the Canon 70D. it’s a bit out of reach for the beginner and looks more like a camera to upgrade to when you’re tired of shooting on low end, compact, mirrorless cameras. Now, unlike the Sony a5100, the Canon 70D has some chunkiness to it. It’s a DSLR after all. So, yeah, compared to the Sony a5100, the Canon 70D is not quite easy to carry around. So, we might not recommend this to the photographer looking for a small camera for travel or as backup. Just like the Sony a5100, this camera is great for selfies, vlogging, or youtubing. And it’s even more so because it comes with a fully articulated screen. So, the screen doesn’t just flip up, it turns nearly every angle possible. When it comes to video, the Canon 70D and the Sony a5100 perform at nearly the same level. But with the presence of a touch sensitive LCD screen on the back of the Canon 70D, shooting video is easier and more interactive than on the Sony a5100. Also, Canon includes an audio in on the Canon 70D while Sony doesn’t. So, the Canon 70D would be the better choice for A-roll video. The Sony a5100, on the other hand, with its lack of an audio jack might be better for B-roll where you can record audio separate from video and string them up together in post. Now, here’s the thing. Sony always takes the cake when it comes to low light and it’s the same here. While the difference might not be huge, we think that you’d be better off with the Sony a5100 for low light. So, if wedding receptions, concerts, or other evening events are more your scene, we don’t think you want to consider the Canon 70D. |
| Get the Sony a5100 here! | Get the Canon 70D here! |
And this brings us to the end of the Comparison Overview section. The following sections will be going all in in the comparison of the Sony a5100 vs Canon 70D. Keep reading for the full gist on everything we’ve talked about thus far.
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D – Which Features Do They Have In Common?
In comparing the Sony a5100 vs Canon 70D, we hope to first establish a common ground after which we will go in-depth into each camera to find out what’s unique about it.
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D Common Feature 1: APS-C Sensor
The first common feature between these two cameras which we will be highlighting is their sensor size. These two cameras come with an APS-C sensor and these sensors are great in their respective camera bodies.
Of course, vs a full frame sensor, there are a number of things you might lose when using an APS-C sensor. A tighter field of view, reduced dynamic range, and a depth of field that’s not quite as shallow as a full frame sensor would have given.
But then again, APS-C sensors do have their benefits in their smaller, more compact sizes. Plus, they are also less expensive to purchase and work with in the long run than full frames. For beginners, the trade-offs might be worth it for the price but many professionals would prefer to use full frame cameras.
On these two cameras, the APS-C sensors are quite good although we think the Sony a5100 might have a slight edge over the Canon 70D considering that it’s a bit larger and also has a higher resolution than that of the Canon 70D.
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| Get the Sony a5100 here! | Get the Canon 70D here! |
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D Common Feature 2: Sharp Sensors
When it comes to sensor resolution, we could say that the Sony a5100 and the Canon 70D are pretty much on the same level. True, the Sony a5100 has the higher sensor resolution by 4 megapixels. It has a sensor resolution of 24 megapixels while the Canon 70D has a sensor resolution of 20 megapixels. However, this difference is really small and doesn’t translate to much in practice.
Rest assured you can use these cameras for pretty much the same things. They will produce images that are great for aggressive cropping and downscaling. Images from this camera would also be wonderful for printing in large sizes.
Talking about print sizes, with a 20 – 24 megapixel sensor, you should be able to print in in sizes of 11 by 14 inches perfectly. As you go larger, up to 40 by 60 inches, 20 to 24 megapixels should still be able to do a pretty good job as well. So, you don’t miss much in terms of image quality when you choose to go for any one camera over the other.
Get the Sony a5100 here! Get the Canon 70D here!
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D Common Feature 3: High ISO
Your camera’s ISO performance is one of the most important features you check out when choosing any camera. This is so important as it affects your camera’s performance in low light. Understanding this also helps you better understand your camera’s innate strengths and weaknesses. You’d know which camera to take with you for low light events and which not to bring along.
That said, how do these cameras perform in the ISO?
Well, the Sony a5100 has a higher max ISO value that’s one step above that of the Canon 70D. So, where the Canon 70D has a max ISO of 12800, the Sony a5100 has a max ISO of 25600. But then again, the difference in max ISO might not necessarily give the Sony a5100 any competitive advantage in practice. As we know, the higher ISO gets, the higher the chances of noise on the image.
Now, for the Sony a5100, we’d say it does just okay in low light. we’ve definitely seen Sony cameras that are far better than the a5100 in low light. However, it bears emphasizing that these cameras are higher end cameras costing more than a thousand bucks. So, considering everything, the Sony a5100 does great.
The camera is able to hold its own in low light at ISO values of 100 up to 3200. At 3200 stops, the noise begins to creep in just a little, and anything higher, the noise just continues to increase. So you want to be careful about that.
As for the Canon 70D, it comes with an auto ISO mode where it is able to select the ISO value itself when in a poorly lit room. If you’re going to be using the auto mode, then you might want to cap the ISO at 3200 in order not to end up with noisy photos.
But if you really want to push the limits a little more, say in a really dark setting, then go manual. In manual mode, the Cano 70D can accommodate ISO values of up to 6400 stops before getting noisy. However, you have to ensure that you turn on noise reduction on your camera in order for your photo to end up noise-free.
Get the Sony a5100 here! Get the Canon 70D here!
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D Common Feature 4: 3 Inch LCD Screen
On the one hand, we have the Sony a5100 which comes with a flip up screen. It does not fully articulate but, at least, it flips up. This, of course, makes the camera more selfie-friendly. It also makes the camera an attractive choice for those who vlog or do their youtubing alone.
Also, if your client likes to see themselves while shooting them in a video, then the screen helps. You won’t have to get an external monitor which would just constitute more gear.
Now, there are other really interesting that the screen of the Sony a5100 does that might appeal to some sectors of the market like the hobbyists, for instance.
First, there’s the countdown timer that you can set to countdown for 3 seconds after which the camera automatically takes a selfie photo. There’s also the smile activated shutter release function as well. So, when the screen detects a smile, it automatically takes a photo.
Of course, that might not necessarily be a major benefit for professional photographers. But then again, this camera wasn’t made with them in mind. So, that’s okay. Let’s now move on to the Canon 70D.
The Canon 70D, on the other hand, has a screen that full articulates. So you can take it out and turn it along more angles than the Sony a5100. So, it has the advantages of the Sony a5100 and much more.
Another feature that affects a screen’s effectiveness is touch sensitivity. In this case, only the screen of the Canon 70D comes with a touch sensitive screen. Well, that’s not entirely true since the screen of the Sony a500 is also somewhat touch sensitive.
By that, we mean that the screen of the Sony a5100 responds to touch when you try to choose points of focus on the screen. But that’s all. You can’t exactly interact with the camera, like scroll through the menu options by touching the screen. This is something you get on the screen of the Canon 70D, and it’s definitely an advantage it has over the Sony a5100.
And finally, resolution. Well, the resolution of the Sony a5100’s screen is not very sharp. It’s definitely not a screen you’d enjoy working with but it would serve and you’d survive. Lol. But we don’t really know how you’d survive if you choose to use this as your viewfinder especially outdoors though.
On the Canon 70D, on the other hand, the case is somewhat different. The screen is really sharp and you enjoy interacting with your camera on the screen.
Get the Sony a5100 here! Get the Canon 70D here!
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| Get the Sony a5100 here! | Get the Canon 70D here! |
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D Common Feature 5: Dynamic Range
Your camera’s performance in low light is super important but its performance in bright sunlight is also as important. You wouldn’t want a case where you lose details to the highlights and shadows when shooting stills or videos in a really bright outdoor scene.
A good dynamic range is usually placed somewhere between 12 and 14 stops. And the best ranges fall just below 15 stops.
That said, the Sony a5100 comes with 12.7 while the Canon 70D comes with 11.6 stops. Generally, these are good numbers even though the Canon 70D falls short just a little and that’s probably because its sensor is smaller than that of the Sony a5100.
So, it’s easy to see that the Sony a5100 would be the better performer in situations where the sun is up and shiny and the background is really backlit.
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D Common Feature 6: RAW Support
Of course, everyone wants to shoot RAW and for good reason too. The quality that RAW photos give in comparison to say JPEG, for instance, is amazing and you can’t blame anyone for wanting a piece of that. Good thing these two cameras support both RAW and JPEG.
RAW photos, unlike JPEG photos which have undergone several optimization processes, are unprocessed and uncompressed. This is great as it means that you get to edit your photo the way you want in post. Sure, it’s a lot of work but it’s always worth it in the end when you check out your finished work.
Once edited, the RAW photos you take using either of these cameras would look terrific, no doubt.
If you’re a beginner, you should keep in mind that you’d need a software application to be able to edit your photos. Two good applications that come to mind are Photoshop and Lightroom. With either of these applications, you should be able to get a good job done.
Then again, if you have to make corrections to the photo in the exposure or white balance, all that is possible in RAW mode which is just amazing.
Get the Sony a5100 here! Get the Canon 70D here!
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| Get the Sony a5100 here! | Get the Canon 70D here! |
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D Common Feature 7: Fast Max Shutter Speed
These cameras come with pretty fast shutter speeds although the Canon 70D has a faster shutter speed than the Sony a5100. Its fastest shutter speed caps at 1/8000s which is same as most higher end Sony cameras. For the Sony a5100 though, the max shutter speed caps at 1/4000s but that’s also quite high, beginner camera or not.
Now, even though these cameras have different max shutter speeds, they have the same lowest end shutter speed which is 30 seconds. So, on these two cameras, you’re getting a good enough shutter speed to help you enjoy your shoot.
For moving subjects, you could use a faster shutter speed to shoot beautiful stills of the subject frozen in motion. At such speeds, chances of a blur are much reduced and you always end up with a neat shot.
And then with slower shutter speeds, you can achieve brighter photos in certain dark settings. Also, to create an illusion of speed in certain cases, like an ad for a sports car or motorbike, the slower shutter speed can be used to create such illusions around the moving tires as it is known to do.
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D Common Feature 8: Focus Points
Focusing – another really important part of your photography. For your images to come out nice what you’re shooting, the subject(s) or object(s) have to be in focus and also have to be well exposed as well.
Oftentimes, the number of focus points a camera has impacts on how the autofocus system of a camera works. So, if the focus points are numerous enough, autofocusing is faster and if not, it takes more time which many photographers find most frustrating.
Plus, more focus points means that if the subject you’re shooting is on the move, the camera is better able to ensure that they remain in focus no matter what. Cameras with fewer focus points, on the other hand, might have challenges keeping moving subjects in focus. As a result, they are usually restricted to shooting stationary objects like landscapes or architecture.
Let’s see how focusing works on these two amazing cameras.
On the Sony a5100, autofocusing is quite fast, we’d give it that. It’s not the fastest on the block, but it’s pretty fast all the same. Plus, you also get focus peaking which is also a good thing. Interestingly also, this camera does not suffer focus hunting, another testimony to its fast and reliable autofocusing. So, it immediately locates the object to focus on and locks in there.
Moving over to the Canon 70D, this camera is also quite good autofocus wise. An interesting feature it has is the Dual Pixel AF which helps to make autofocusing snappier. In low light though, the camera tends to struggle quite a bit as with most cameras. So, it isn’t such a huge deal.
But it’s a good thing that, in video mode, it’s possible to quickly zero in on your preferred spot to focus on by touching the screen. Thankfully, the screens on these cameras are quite responsive to touch and focus pretty fast.
The video below compares the Sony a5100 vs Canon 70D’s autofocus capabilities. It does contain tests for other cameras though but it should help you see how autofocus works on each of these cameras.
Get the Sony a5100 here! Get the Canon 70D here!
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| Get the Sony a5100 here! | Get the Canon 70D here! |
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D Common Feature 9: Video Mode
Still on the Sony a5100 vs Canon 70D comparison review, we’re now looking at the video mode of these cameras. Of course they both shoot video, and, in fact, they have the same video resolution which is 1920 by 1080 pixels. As usual, of course, their video modes differ just as their parent brands also differ.
So, quick disclaimer… If you’re a professional photographer and are probably wondering if these cameras shoot 4K, then the answer is no. Neither of these cameras has 4K ability but they still do quite good even without 4K.
Here’s the summary of the comparison of the video modes of the Sony a5100 vs Canon 70D.
Sony a5100 |
Canon 70D |
| The Sony a5100 makes a great camera both for shooting stills as well as for shooting video. It does not compete with other higher end cameras from Sony in this department, but it certainly does quite well. First off, it records at a high quality XACS. This is great as it allows the camera record at a higher bitrate than mp4 and avchd. It would impress you to find that the Sony a5100 records at an impressive 50 megabits per second. To put things in perspective, Sony’s much more expensive Sony a7RII has a bitrate of 100 megabits per second. It’s also impressive that the Sony a5100 shoots at 60 frames per second, 30 frames per second, or 24 frames per second, depending on what you’d like to work with per time. 60 frames per second also means that you get to do your slow motion videos, if you’re so inclined. We already said that the Sony a5100 does just okay in low light and that much still holds. But away from that, the Sony a5100 has a flip up screen which we’ve seen to be great for vlogging and the likes. It’s not the clearest screen you ever saw though. Another thing we really loved about this camera’s video mode is that you can record but low and high quality video at the same time. This way, if you need to upload your video immediately, you can just opt to go for the lower quality, mp4 video. So, the bad… There’s no audio in which means that you can’t easily attach an external microphone. Of course, this affects audio quality especially if you’re doing A-roll. Another problem this camera suffers is overheating which is most likely due to the tiny body of the camera. So, used indoors, some users noted that the camera started to overheat after 18 minutes in 1080 pixels. That’s a pretty short record time. Also, remember that the battery life is not great and this might, in turn, affect how long you can shoot your video per time. | Now, unlike the Sony a5100, the Canon 70D comes with an audio in. So, you can attach an external microphone to your camera for the best quality audio. So, while we might recommend that you limit the Sony a5100 to B-roll or other kinds of shoots where audio isn’t top priority, the Canon 70D works for any kind of video shoot, A-roll or B-roll. It lacks a headphone out though, just like the Sony a5100. This means that you won’t be able to monitor audio except with an external monitor. Is that a deal breaker for you? You decide. With the full articulation that the screen of the Canon 70D brings to the table, the Canon 70D gets another point ahead of the Sony a5100. Touch sensitivity also gives the Canon 70D bonus points as well. Now, to frame rate, the Sony a5100 wins in this section. The highest recording frame rate of the Canon 70D is just 30 frames per second which is a little underwhelming considering that this is a semi-pro camera and the Sony a5100 which is less expensive by much does 60 frames per second. This might make it a little more difficult to achieve slow motion videos with the Canon 70D. Finally, in low light, we’d say the Canon 70D does not do as good. We wouldn’t recommend it if you’ll be shooting in venues where lighting is poor or unpredictable. |
| Get the Sony a5100 here! | Get the Canon 70D here! |
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D Common Feature 10: Continuous Shooting / Burst Mode
These cameras fall within the same category in continuous shooting or burst mode. They are both mediocre with a burst mode of 6 frames per second and 7 frames per second respectively. These are not mind blowing numbers as much as they are not poor numbers.
But then again, considering the main reason for which burst mode is usually used in a camera – sports, action, wildlife photography – these cameras might not really make the cut. 6/7 frames per second will hardly do much.
And then again, it’s been said by most customers that the burst mode of the two cameras is slow anyway. A particular customer tried using one of the cameras to take photos of flying birds and it wasn’t the most enjoyable experience. So, no. none of these cameras for action, sport, or wildlife photography.
But then again, you can always use it for your portrait work or for taking photos of large groups of people. With burst mode, there is a higher chance of you taking perfect photos where everyone’s eyes are open at the same time. You could also get random photos of the moment that could turn out to be photography gold when burst mode is on.
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| Get the Sony a5100 here! | Get the Canon 70D here! |
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D Common Feature 11: No Image Stabilization
Sadly, none of these cameras comes with image stabilization and that’s a little frustrating. Lack of image stabilization could make it difficult to get clean pictures when shooting handheld especially since you can’t exactly rule out involuntary camera shake while shooting handheld.
Usually, Sony uses a sensor-shift image stabilization system for its cameras. However, that’s usually found in its higher end cameras. Being a low end, entry-level camera therefore, it’s not surprising that the camera has no image stabilization system. Canon, on the other hand, favors the optical image stabilization system. But again, mostly on its higher end, pro cameras.
So, what are your options now that neither camera has image stabilization? Well, your best (and cheapest) bet is to work with a tripod for your shoots. This will ensure that your image stays stabilized no matter what.
And then if you choose to, you can decide to get IS lenses. This would mean increased cost for you, of course, as lenses are way more expensive than tripods and you won’t be getting just one. And let’s not forget that it would also increase your gear as well.
PS: There are about 91 IS lenses currently available for the Canon EF/EF-S mount and only 23 IS lenses for the Sony E (NEX) mount.
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D Common Feature 12: Wireless Connection
For fast, clutterless connection, wireless connection is now found on nearly every camera you find, and why not? You simply set up the WiFi on your camera and then you can easily transfer your files from the camera to your computer or other smart devices.
Get the Sony a5100 here! Get the Canon 70D here!
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| Get the Sony a5100 here! | Get the Canon 70D here! |
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D – Unique Features
In this section of the Sony a5100 vs Canon 70D, we itemize the unique features of each of these cameras. We’re pretty sure it will clear up any other doubt you might be having on what camera to ultimately settle for.
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D – Features Unique To The Sony a5100
Sony E (NEX) Mount
The Sony a5100 comes with a Sony E (NEX) mount. The good thing is that this camera is an interchangeable lens camera. What this means is that you are not stuck to only lens. As long as you have an adapter, you can use any of your Sony E lenses on this camera. This is great news as it means that if you can’t exactly afford to get new lenses right now (and Sony lenses can get pretty expensive), then you can just use your old glass.
One other thing we will be looking at in this aspect of the review is how many lenses are available for these cameras. As usual, Canon has an advantage over Sony in this aspect. So, while for the Canon 70D’s Canon EF/EF-S mount you have 319 lenses available, the Sony E (NEX) mount on the Sony a5100 only has 102 lenses.
Near Field Communication Feature
In transferring files and all such things, the Sony a5100 has an advantage that the Canon 70D does not have. That advantage is the Near Field Communication (NFC) feature. With this feature, your camera is able to achieve contactless transfer of files to enabled devices. This makes transfer and upload of photos and videos as recorded on your camera convenient and instant.
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| Get the Sony a5100 here! | Get the Canon 70D here! |
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D – Features Unique To The Canon 70D
Optical Viewfinder
Like all DSLRs, the Canon 70D comes with an optical viewfinder. If you’re a stickler for optical viewfinders, the Canon 70D might be what you’d be leaning more towards. One of the reasons many love working with optical viewfinders is that you see clearly through them. And with Canon using the pentaprism technology here rather than pentamirror, you’re even more assured of the quality of the viewfinder here.
Because the Canon 70D works with an optical viewfinder, battery life is much better as you can see. This is because optical viewfinders do not work with the battery of the camera unlike electronic viewfinders.
Another good thing is that you’re good even in bright sunlight. Electronic viewfinders, on the other hand, might be difficult to look through in bright light due to the sun’s reflection.
The only challenge is that because the optical viewfinder is not as interactive as the electronic viewfinder and because it does not show you how your photo will come out after the photo has been taken, DSLRs typically require a steep learning curve in comparison to mirrorless cameras.
The Sony a5100, on the other hand, does not have a viewfinder so you’d probably have to get one if you can’t work without it. For some others, they’d be able to survive with the LCD screen on the back of the camera but it sure won’t be easy.
For one, the screen isn’t so sharp. Two, it’s awkward using your LCD screen a viewfinder especially when shooting handheld. And lastly, when shooting outdoors in the sun, it can become rather difficult to view with.
Weather-Sealing
The Canon 70D has a weather-sealed body unlike the Sony a5100. Automatically, this makes the Canon 70D more rugged than the Sony a5100, and the Canon 70D will definitely perform much better in the outdoor than its counterpart.
By layering vulnerable parts with rubber, Canon has ensured that dust and moisture do not get into your camera to cause damage, which, of course, increases durability.
Get the Sony a5100 here! Get the Canon 70D here!
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| Get the Sony a5100 here! | Get the Canon 70D here! |
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D – Unique Pros
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D – Pros Unique To The Sony a5100
- Has a higher frame rate of 60 frames per second which allows you achieve the slow motion effect.
- The better performer in low light.
- This is an interchangeable lens camera which means you can use your old Sony E glass as long as you have an adaptor.
- More compact size and lighter weight that’s great for travel.
- Record video in two formats – a high quality one and a low quality mp4 format which you can pick from when you’re done.
- Autofocusing is much better on the Sony a5100. Plus, it has way more focus points than the Canon 70D.
- Has a higher ISO range than the Sony a5100.
- Color depth and dynamic range is also better.
- Comes with NFC connection.
- Sharper sensor and slightly larger sensor as well.
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D – Pros Unique To The Canon 70D
- Screen is fully articulating with full touch sensitivity.
- Comes with a viewfinder while the Sony a5100 lacks one.
- Battery life is much better than that of the Sony a5100.
- Comes with an audio in for fixing an external microphone which makes for cleaner sound.
- There’s an external flash shoe for connecting an external flash when the built-in flash is not enough.
- Body is weather-sealed to keep the camera durable even with exposure to the elements.
- The LCD screen is much clearer on the Canon 70D.
- Faster max shutter speed.
- Flash covers a larger area than the flash of the Sony a5100.
- Does not experience the overheating that the Sony a5100 experiences when shooting for long periods.
- Has more available lenses for the Canon EF/EF-S mount than the Sony E (NEX) mount.
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| Get the Sony a5100 here! | Get the Canon 70D here! |
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D – Unique Cons
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D – Con Unique To The Sony a5100
- The screen only has a limited touch sensitivity, and that’s strictly for selecting focus only.
- It lacks a viewfinder.
- The Sony menu is a little difficult to figure out.
- Experiences problems with overheating after about 20 minutes of shooting indoors. This is probably due to the small body of the camera.
- Lacks an audio in which could affect sound quality.
- No external flash shoe.
- Not weather-sealed.
- Resolution of the LCD screen isn’t that good.
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D – Cons Unique To The Canon 70D
- It’s a pretty bulky camera which could affect portability.
- Highest frame rate is 30 frames per second.
- Not an interchangeable lens camera.
- Only very few focus points.
- Lacks NFC connection.
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D – Common Pros
Sony a5100 |
Canon 70D |
| This camera come with a sharp sensor at 24 megapixels. | At 20 megapixels, the sensor is not quite as sharp of that of the Sony a5100 but it’s sharp all the same. |
| The screen of the Sony a5100 flips up. | That of the Canon 70D fully articulates. |
| Comes with a built-in flash. | Also comes with a built-in flash. |
| Wireless connection helps with convenient and speedy transfer of files. | Also comes with wireless connection. |
| Features RAW support. | Also features RAW support. |
| Face detection focus for detecting human faces to give them the appropriate exposure for a perfect shot. | Also comes with a face detection focus. |
| AE bracketing present. | AE bracketing also present. |
| Smartphone remote control available. . | Same here. |
| Get the Sony a5100 here! | Get the Canon 70D here! |
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| Get the Sony a5100 here! | Get the Canon 70D here! |
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D – Common Cons
Sony a5100 |
Canon 70D |
| Lacks image stabilization. | Also lacks image stabilization. |
| No headphone output for monitoring audio. | Also lacks a headphone out. |
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D – General Feeling Among Users
| Sony a5100 | Canon 70D |
| We think many people could understand the fact that this isn’t supposed to be a pro camera and it isn’t marketed to be. You could see that underlying thread through almost everyone’s comment. For many, the price was a steal. Plus, the fact that Sony was able to pack such a large sensor into such a tiny bodied camera was definitely a big benefit for many. Many customers found it to be a travel-friendly camera. It seemed to be a camera of choice for mostly beginners. You know, those looking to graduate from using a smartphone or a point and shoot camera. We also saw a couple of vloggers looking to step up from using a camcorder get this camera and they seemed to enjoy it a lot. As for image quality, you could tell that most users were satisfied. They seemed to be even more impressed that the camera could deliver such high quality despite its small body. That said, there were a number of letdowns for customers. There was the overheating problem, absence of a viewfinder, absence of an audio in, there was also the battery problem as well. And then it was worse because you can’t exactly power the camera from an external source while shooting. Altogether, we’d say people felt like they got their money’s worth. And though reactions were a mixed bag, with some loving it and others pretty much on the fence, we’d say the Sony a5100 scored major points especially with beginners and hobbyists looking for a great but inexpensive camera. | Now, to the Canon 70D. This camera got a lot of raving views as well. You could see that customers enjoyed having the free hand to experiment with their photos to whatever degree they wanted. First and foremost, customers were mind-blown by the fact that you could process your RAW images to JPEG right inside the camera. And that’s great news for two major reasons. The first is that it saves you some space and the other is that it saves you the extra work in post. And then the low light performance also impressed a number of users. Even at relatively high ISOs, the camera was still able to do a fairly good job without too much noise. Also, apparently, Canon did a beautiful job with the built-in WiFi. Set up and transfer of files were pretty smooth and hassle-free as they should be. Now, here’s where Canon did a better job than Sony and that’s in the presence of the rotating wheel. On the Canon 70D, there is a rotating wheel with which you can easily run through the menu settings on the camera, and that’s in addition to touch sensitivity. Accessing shutter speed, aperture settings and ISO was not as easy on the Sony a5100. For the bad, there were a number of boos for the burst mode. Apparently, it wasn’t fast enough. And then the writing speed of the SD card as well. That too seemed a little sluggish for a number of users. In all though, you could tell that customers enjoyed their purchase. |
| Get the Sony a5100 here! | Get the Canon 70D here! |
Sony a5100 Vs Canon 70D – Final Words…
So, here are our final thoughts on this matter. If you’ve followed us from the beginning of this article, then thank you. We appreciate the time spent.
Now, we know that you might have made your final decision already after reading through this comprehensive article. However, if you’d like our opinion, we’re only too happy to give it.
Choosing an ultimate winner in the Sony a5100 s Canon 70D contest is both difficult and easy. It seems too easy to name a winner considering obvious factor but put into proper context, the challenge emerges.
Now, facing the features strictly, we would have to name the Canon 70D the winner. It’s obviously the better choice for a number of reasons. It has more lenses available, does not suffer the overheating problem, comes with a viewfinder, LCD screen is far better, and lots more. But we can’t forget that this is a semi-pro DSLR. it’s what it’s supposed to do.
The Sony a5100, on the other hand, has several issues it’s dealing with. But it still has a higher frame rate, better low light performance, a more compact body (which seems to be the bane of its existence), and better autofocusing.
Plus, we all know that the Sony a5100 has a particular audience – beginners and hobbyists. It also sells for a really affordable price as well, so a number of tradeoffs should be expected.
Now, all these considered, you can see why it would be somewhat difficult to name one winner. But gun to our head, yes the Canon 70D. However, if on a budget and you just need something that delivers without the hefty price or hefty body, then the Sony a5100 is your guy.
| Get the Sony a5100 here! | Get the Canon 70D here! |
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