Sony
Alpha a5100 + 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 lens
Digital mirrorless camera kit
The black Alpha a5100 from Sony is a mirrorless digital camera featuring a 24.3MP APS-C-sized Exmor HD CMOS sensor and BIONZ X image processor to deliver fast 6 fps continuous shooting and impressive sensitivity to ISO 25600. This is combined with a Fast Hybrid AF system, which pairs 179 phase-detection points with 25 contrast-detection points for fast and accurate focusing. Full HD video recording is also available in the high-quality XAVC S codec, with the ability to shoot at 1080p in 60, 30, or 24 fps frame rates, offering versatility while still maintaining a compact and convenient form factor.
For further refinement, a range of AF modes can be selected from depending on the subject. Eye AF is a detail-oriented focusing function that can prioritise a subject's pupil and dedicate focusing performance on that for sharply-rendered portraits; Lock-on AF is a dedicated focusing method for use with moving subjects and adjusts the target frame size as the subject moves throughout the image frame; AF area settings allow you to prioritise specific regions within the frame for increased accuracy; and AF-A (Automatic AF), AF-S (Single-shot AF), AF-C (Continuous AF), DMF (Direct Manual Focus), and Manual Focus modes can also be chosen.
Other recording options include the AVCHD and MP4 codecs, with support for recording up to 1080p60 video at 28 Mbps. Dual video recording is supported, as well, with the ability to select either XAVC S or AVCHD codecs plus a duplicate MP4 file to be recorded at the same time for greater efficiency when sharing videos online. Additionally, using the integrated HDMI type D output, both 1080i60 and 1080p60 uncompressed 8-bit 4:2:2 video can be recorded to an optional external recorder.
A built-in stereo microphone records audio in the Linear PCM 2-channel format for XAVC S movies, the AC-3 Dolby Digital format for AVCHD movies, and the MPEG-4 AAC-LC format for web-quality MP4 videos. Manual focus peaking and a zebra function are also available, to benefit working in manual focus and to assure highlight detail is retained. A marker setting can be shown on the rear LCD as well, in order to display a center marker, guide frame, aspect marker, safety zone, and other pertinent features for video recording.
The body offers a large 3.0" 921.6k-dot touchscreen LCD monitor, which features a 180° upward tilting design for easier viewing from both front-facing and above angles. The touchscreen permits intuitive control over image playback and menu navigation, as well as the ability to release the shutter and touch-to-focus for pinpoint accuracy. Seven customisable function buttons and a dedicated Fn (Function) button facilitate efficient control over a variety of settings and modes. The body also incorporates a pop-up flash, which features a guide number of 13.1' at ISO 100 for additional illumination in difficult lighting conditions. Finally, built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, with support for NFC-enabled devices, is also integrated into the a5100 to support remote camera control and image sharing to linked mobile devices.
Included with the camera body is the Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Alpha E-Mount lens, a retractable zoom lens for Sony E-mount APS-C format mirrorless cameras. It offers an equivalent focal length range of 24-75mm, making it well-suited to covering everything from wide-angle landscapes to standard-length portraits. The lens expands when powered on, but remains a pocket-sized 30mm when not in use. This makes it a great choice for everday use, as well as travel.
The lens features a dual-function control ring for manual focus and zooming, as well as Power Zoom capability in AF mode and an Internal Stepping Motor for fast, smooth and quiet autofocus. An Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation system is also built-in, and reduces the effects of camera shake by approximately 4-stops of shutter speed correction. Four Aspherical elements and one ED element correct for curved perspective at wide-angle lengths and chromatic aberration at telephoto lengths to provide sharp, high contrast imaging across the entire frame.