The Sony α5100 (model ILCE-5100) is a digital
rangefinder
A rangefinder (also rangefinding telemeter, depending on the context) is a device used to measure distances to remote objects. Originally optical devices used in surveying, they soon found applications in other fields, such as photography an ...
-type
mirrorless camera
A mirrorless camera is a photo camera featuring a single, removable lens and a digital display.
The camera does not have a reflex mirror or optical viewfinder like a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera, but may have an electronic v ...
announced by
Sony
, commonly stylized as SONY, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. As a major technology company, it operates as one of the world's largest manufacturers of consumer and professional ...
on 18 August 2014.
Reception
The camera has been well received because of its performance and its features.
Drawbacks and missing features
One of the main drawbacks is the fake shutter sound that the camera emits when taking a photo, something that many reviewers noted that worsens the experience of taking photos, as the sound cannot be turned off. This fake shutter sound can be clearly heard when shooting at 1/10 s or slower, at faster speeds it is either not emitted or the sound appears to blend in with the mechanical rear curtain shutter sound. This fake shutter sound is probably present in order to indicate to the camera user that the exposure has started, most likely to mimic a mechanical front curtain, as most Sony camera now have electronic front curtains.
Missing from this camera model is a dedicated physical ''Fn'' button, standard for most Sony mirrorless cameras.
Also the programmable function menu that can be assigned to one of the programmable buttons, similar to older Sony NEX camera models, is not available.
See also
*
List of Sony E-mount cameras
Sony released the following E-mount cameras since 2010. The E stands for the Eighteen mm flange distances of the E-mount cameras. Depending on type and model E-mount cameras are part of the Sony α, SmartShot, Handycam, NXCAM
AVCHD (Advanced Vi ...
References
* http://www.dpreview.com/products/sony/slrs/sony_a5100/specifications
α5100
Live-preview digital cameras
Cameras introduced in 2014
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