Sony A5100 with kit lens/bundled 55-200m lens OR Rx100m3 ?

frank33v · Feb 25, 2015

Hi,s

First post and I am a newbie when it comes to photography but I want to learn. We run a business (vegetable farm) and would like to take better pictures than our smartphones can provide but more importantly would like to do some videos also.

The Sony RX100m3 seems to be compared a lot to the a6000 but not a lot to the a5100 but for what we consider important the a5100 has more than the a6000 and seems to compare better to the RX100 (for our desires). We like the flip up LCD to frame a video alone and have never used a viewfinder so I guess I don't see a viewfinder as a benefit for us. (Maybe we will when trying to use this for outside pictures). The additional video codecs on the A5100/RX100 versus the a6000 also is a bonus. Side mounted SD card also seems better planned out on the a5100.

I have large hands and the RX100 seems tiny and harder to use but would be easier to carry around and if it's easier to carry around there is a better chance I will have it with me. Then again I have not seen the a5100 in person yet but doesn't seem that much larger and it appears to last longer per charge based upon my reading (320 versus 400 shots).

So it seems that the comments I have read are a pretty even mix of a6000 fans versus rx100m3 fans. Given that the a5100 has the same sensor as the a6000, is $100 cheaper, and can be bundled with the 55-200m lens now as well as the standard kit lens for LESS than the RX100m3 ($750 versus $799)....is this a no brainer now?

nathanhw · Feb 25, 2015

If you don't need to tiny size of the rx100, don't get it. You are paying a premium for the size, and losing out on some features to accommodate the small size.

If you need a small camera, the rx100 is arguably the best one available. I love it. But when I can bring a larger camera, I usually do.

frank33v · Feb 26, 2015

There in lies the question. I don't NEED a smaller size camera but at the same time know I will be less likely to use/carry around a larger one. We migrated from an RX10 or FZ1000 to the RX100's for this reason. Will have to head out to check out the size of the a5100.

Being new to this it's hard to access which is a better camera but it seems that the a5100 might be when you consider I get two lens, one with longer range and a larger sensor for less money (albeit at the expense of some portability). Is that even an accurate statement?

I don't think I would ever spend $1000 for a lens but you never know. I also think for work I would just use the kit lens but when taking it on vacations I might find the larger (55-210) lens useful. I don't intend on buying more than one camera.

If you could only have one camera would it be the a5100 given these circumstances and staying in this price range ?

nathanhw · Feb 27, 2015

All things being equal, you have the potential to get better shots with the A5100 (or similar) than with the RX100. It has more flexibility and larger sensor. If you invest in lenses over time, you can upgrade the body to the latest and greatest a few years from now, and still use all those lovely lenses you have bought.

The ONLY real reason to get the RX100 is if you need the small size.

mike winslow · Feb 27, 2015

nathanhw said:
All things being equal, you have the potential to get better shots with the A5100 (or similar) than with the RX100. It has more flexibility and larger sensor. If you invest in lenses over time, you can upgrade the body to the latest and greatest a few years from now, and still use all those lovely lenses you have bought.

The ONLY real reason to get the RX100 is if you need the small size.

I totally agree..

6000 or 5100 with kit and 55-210 is equivalent fl to 24-315. The drawback being size and having to swap lenses. Although with the 1650 mounted, the 5100/6000 is going to be nicely compact.

The RX10 is also a good choice as well, with video advantages. A similar sensor to the 100, but a really nice and versatile lens.

I dont have a 5100, but have a 6000, and usually keep the 18-105 G lens on it. The 1650 is nice for small, but is soft on the corners on the wide side. The ILS is going to prove more versatile, and when you want to go long, you're going to miss that extra reach in the rx100..

The 55-210 gives you the ability to do some nice head shots at a stand off distance. It's a great bang for the buck lens.

The RX10 - Constantly surprises me with the nice pictures that it makes when shooting stills, and I would consider it satisfactory for 95% of what I shoot. The 6000 beats the pants off of it for AF on action shots though.

MrCPH · Feb 27, 2015

mike winslow said:
I totally agree..

6000 or 5100 with kit and 55-210 is equivalent fl to 24-315. The drawback being size and having to swap lenses. Although with the 1650 mounted, the 5100/6000 is going to be nicely compact.

The RX10 is also a good choice as well, with video advantages. A similar sensor to the 100, but a really nice and versatile lens.

I dont have a 5100, but have a 6000, and usually keep the 18-105 G lens on it. The 1650 is nice for small, but is soft on the corners on the wide side. The ILS is going to prove more versatile, and when you want to go long, you're going to miss that extra reach in the rx100..

The 55-210 gives you the ability to do some nice head shots at a stand off distance. It's a great bang for the buck lens.

The RX10 - Constantly surprises me with the nice pictures that it makes when shooting stills, and I would consider it satisfactory for 95% of what I shoot. The 6000 beats the pants off of it for AF on action shots though.

MrCPH · Feb 27, 2015

MrCPH said:
mike winslow said:

I totally agree..

6000 or 5100 with kit and 55-210 is equivalent fl to 24-315. The drawback being size and having to swap lenses. Although with the 1650 mounted, the 5100/6000 is going to be nicely compact.

The RX10 is also a good choice as well, with video advantages. A similar sensor to the 100, but a really nice and versatile lens.

I dont have a 5100, but have a 6000, and usually keep the 18-105 G lens on it. The 1650 is nice for small, but is soft on the corners on the wide side. The ILS is going to prove more versatile, and when you want to go long, you're going to miss that extra reach in the rx100..

The 55-210 gives you the ability to do some nice head shots at a stand off distance. It's a great bang for the buck lens.

The RX10 - Constantly surprises me with the nice pictures that it makes when shooting stills, and I would consider it satisfactory for 95% of what I shoot. The 6000 beats the pants off of it for AF on action shots though.

Click to expand...

jchapell · Feb 27, 2015

You probably have a higher probability of producing higher quality photos with the 5100. You probably have a higher probability of capturing more moments with the RX100.

Probably.

Having said that, many have captured irreplaceable moments with the 5100, and produced professional quality photos with the RX100…

tjmanson · Feb 27, 2015

I just bought a Sony a5100 primarily because of the combination of size, wifi/NFC capability, pixel density/sensor size, Sony name, and the fact that Sony has made a lot of the Nikon sensors. I'm a Nikon guy, but I wanted to hang a small, light camera on the back of my grab-n-go telescope and be able to view the sky on my iPad.

Someone earlier asked if (given the circumstances) you would buy the a5100 as your only camera. My answer to that is NO WAY! I'd buy a Nikon, but I am heavily biased and have been for many years (I currently own a D800, D750 and P7000). My strongest attraction to Nikon (and has been for many many years) is their lens interchangeability. It's the best in the industry as far as I know.

nathanhw · Mar 1, 2015

tjmanson said:
...I wanted to hang a small, light camera on the back of my grab-n-go telescope and be able to view the sky on my iPad....

Totally off topic but this is intriguing. Is there a thread where you describe your setup?

MFiftysomething · Mar 1, 2015

I have A5100 and A6000. The A6000 is nicer build and better grip. The screen can also tilt down but not flip up all the way, while the A5100 feels cheaper -a bit plastic, it is smaller and lighter. Images on both are excellent, with a good lens. I wish the grip was larger on the A5100 but I think it is under-rated, there is not much it can't do.

If you don't need the viewfinder save the money and put it towards a letter than kit lens.

MFiftysomething · Mar 1, 2015

SEL3518 is a must have lens; OSS small and light and and it is very good for the price

mike winslow · Mar 4, 2015

MrCPH said:
mike winslow said:

I totally agree..

6000 or 5100 with kit and 55-210 is equivalent fl to 24-315. The drawback being size and having to swap lenses. Although with the 1650 mounted, the 5100/6000 is going to be nicely compact.

The RX10 is also a good choice as well, with video advantages. A similar sensor to the 100, but a really nice and versatile lens.

I dont have a 5100, but have a 6000, and usually keep the 18-105 G lens on it. The 1650 is nice for small, but is soft on the corners on the wide side. The ILS is going to prove more versatile, and when you want to go long, you're going to miss that extra reach in the rx100..

The 55-210 gives you the ability to do some nice head shots at a stand off distance. It's a great bang for the buck lens.

The RX10 - Constantly surprises me with the nice pictures that it makes when shooting stills, and I would consider it satisfactory for 95% of what I shoot. The 6000 beats the pants off of it for AF on action shots though.

Click to expand...

tjmanson · Mar 8, 2015

nathanhw said:
tjmanson said:

...I wanted to hang a small, light camera on the back of my grab-n-go telescope and be able to view the sky on my iPad....

Click to expand...

Totally off topic but this is intriguing. Is there a thread where you describe your setup?

No, but I'll start one since I now have some images of the setup. Thanks for asking.

--- edit ---

The new thread is here (not sure if this will work - I am not an old hand at this):

Loading…

www.dpreview.com

nathanhw · Mar 8, 2015

tjmanson said:
nathanhw said:

tjmanson said:

...I wanted to hang a small, light camera on the back of my grab-n-go telescope and be able to view the sky on my iPad....

Click to expand...

Totally off topic but this is intriguing. Is there a thread where you describe your setup?

Click to expand...

No, but I'll start one since I now have some images of the setup. Thanks for asking.

--- edit ---

The new thread is here (not sure if this will work - I am not an old hand at this):

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/55428557

Thanks. Worked like a charm.

frank33v · Mar 12, 2015

Completely different camera....I ordered the Olympus OM-D E-M5 mark2 today. Can't wait for it to come in. (should be here tomorrow thanks to B&H being so close)

I realize it's considered a complicated menu structure and might be an uphill battle for a beginner. But I like pressing buttons and learning interfaces! It seemed to have everything one could ask for and some key items for me are:

-good quality and rotating/flip LCD

-good EVF

-1080/60p/24p video (high quality codec a plus)

-nice selection of lenses

-water/dust resistance is a plus for the environment I will use it in.

-fairly compact

-IBIS will help with my increasingly shaky hands.

Big con...body price, but I am hoping to save a little on lenses in the future versus Sony ???

I just got the M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ Lens (Silver) lens to start with and to make it as small as possible initially.

I have a lot to learn but can't wait to play.

nathanhw · Mar 13, 2015

MFT is a great system. I had the first OMD, and got some great shots with it. Ultimately, I went smaller (Nikon1) and larger (Sony A7ii) but MFT is very nice. Enjoy.

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Sony A5100 with kit lens/bundled 55-200m lens OR Rx100m3 ?

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