Sony a5100 for Video

The Sony a5100 is not a new camera so why am I reviewing it now? Cause it's still an awesome little camera that could have you shooting great looking video for less money than a comparable DSLR .
See links to all the gear used in this video below or by visiting my gear page at thepodcastersst....
*important note* I'm seeing lots of comments that this camera has overheating issues when recording longer format video. Something to keep in mind if that is the kind of video you are planning on recording. I didn't not experience this issue but I shoot lots of shorter takes, not usually shooting for more than a five minutes at a time before I stop and restart another segment. Do additional research if you are considering buying this camera.
At about 2 years old at the time of this filming, the a5100 from Sony is a camera that has seen updates in the form of the a6000 and the brand new a6300. But the a5100 is still a great camera for anyone who wants to shoot high-quality video.
That said, the a5100 is far from perfect. With the lack of an audio input, it would be hard for me to chose this camera as my primary video camera. If you were planning to use this as a second camera, vlogging, b-roll or going to record your audio separately (off cam.) then this would be a great option.
As a vlogging camera, the a5100 is hard to beat. It's compact, has great auto features, good built in microphones, and a 180 degree screen so you can point the camera at yourself and see what you are filming. Outside of being able to connect a better quality microphone, the a5100 is probably the best vlogging camera I've used.
For shooting video in general, I love the image I get from this camera with tons of control and features including high bit rate recording (50mbps) in the XAVC-S codec. Note, you will need an SDXC card to shoot with the XAVC-S codec (see links below).
Features such as real-time digital zooming to check focus, focus peaking, image stabilization on a lot of Sony's lenses, face tracking, good continuous auto focus, a clean image at higher ISOs (comparable with Canon DSLRs), interchangeable lenses, zebras for exposure, 60fps at 1080p for smooth slow motion, and more.
*Gear used to make this video:
Sony a5100 kit with 16-50mm: podhelp.me/sony...
Sennheiser ew100 G2 Wireless Lapel Microphone podhelp.me/Sennkit
Edirol R-05 (replacement for the R-05 seen here) podhelp.me/r-05bh
Sigma 30mm 1.4 ART (new, better version) B&H: podhelp.me/30mm... Amazon: podhelp.me/S30m...
Manfrotto 701 HDV Tripod podhelp.me/701h... (discontinued) Amazon replacement: podhelp.me/S30m...
Manfrotto 394 Quick Release Plate and Base podhelp.me/394p...
Canon 60D DSLR camera podhelp.me/60Db...
Transcend SDXC SD card 64GB Class 10 UHS1 podhelp.me/tran...
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*all links should be considered affiliate links. Using these links helps support this content. I always encourage you to shop around for the best prices at the time you are viewing this. You can read my ethics statement via thepodcastersst.... Thanks for the support!

[@xileflien]

There's are very few people reviewing cameras for Video. People just wanna talk about their photo capturing capabilities. This video you've done is absolutely brilliant! Hat's Off To You Sir!

[@RayOrtega]

+xileflien wow, thanks!! I’m definitely here for the video not photos. Any cam that takes great video will take good enough photos for my needs;)

[@gatorpete5336]

This is the best review I've seen for the a5100. I wasn't sure about buying it until watching. Thank you!

[@RayOrtega]

Thanks, Pete! Some have had some overheating issues but mine was fine and works great for picking up vlogging style shots.

[@RayOrtega]

@@vivim138 No real fix for these older cams, you could make sure you have the flip screen away from the body and even record with the battery door open for hopefully a little longer life. And each cam will be different as well every situation will be different in terms of temperature etc, so there is no way to know when you're cam will overheat in any given situation.

[@JakeBilling]

I genuinely thought the Sony's image quality far surpassed the Canon in this particular video.

[@RayOrtega]

Yes it's much sharper and recording a better codec. That said the 60D is old and probably needs its sensor cleaned;)

[@pixelle1234]

Wow! This review way so great, thank you so much!

[@RayOrtega]

Thanks Cynthia!

[@justincredible9302]

Omg thank you so much for the side by side transitions with both cameras and explaining what both are. I've watched countless reviews of these and this is the best way to do it.

[@RayOrtega]

Thanks, Justin! That is really helpful feedback so I know what to include in future reviews. You mean when I switch back and fourth between the Sony and the Canon at 1:55? I'm not usually comparing two cameras in any one review but sometimes I do mention comparisons so if I have that footage I can drop it in. Usually I don't own the cam that I might be referencing it against unfortunately.

[@cocosmakeup5360]

This review helped me so much! I am just getting into recording makeup videos and I purchased this camera just to start because of the awesome reviews and price.

[@RayOrtega]

SO glad it helped! Good luck with your channel. The biggest mistake I see newer video makers make is with audio. So don't forget to get some good audio too.

[@MrRich-nn5vk]

Yes I love my little camera. Espicially with my Sony 50mm 1.8. But the overheating issue is just to much of a problem for me.

[@RayOrtega]

+Mr. Rich that's a real bummer about the overheating. I've seen that comment here a couple times and added an annotation to this video to alert people of the possible issue.

[@Jonesfamily1402]

never overheated on me. thanks for the videos

[@RayOrtega]

+Jonesfamily1402 👍

[@TP_Makeup]

It’s the issue for me as well :(

[@SaiylaMoon]

Amazing job on this video! This was so helpful 👍🏽

[@KevinMuldoon]

Great video Ray. I looked into the a5100 as a vlogging camera. One of the reasons I decided against it is because I wasn't sure which lens to buy for vlogging. I saw some people say the stock lens wasn't great and the pancake lens they recommended was more expensive than the camera itself. I opted for the RX100 M3. It's a little smaller and is very capable. I will, however, definitely be reviewing my options in the future once I know more about lenses.

[@RayOrtega]

+Kevin Muldoon thanks Kevin! Great choice on the RX, great cam too.

[@GinAmber]

Great detailed review, thank you. I just ordered this camera for my vlogs, can't wait. BTW nice kitchen :)

[@RayOrtega]

+Gin Amber enjoy the cam! And thnx for compliments on the kitchen! It was a lot of work;)

[@simplyrae]

Omg, crazy that you are reviewing this now. I just got this camera to use to take video and to travel around with when I don't want to carry my 70D around

[@RayOrtega]

+simplyrae cool! Have fun with the cam, definitely better than lugging around a 70D.

[@L4LTVuk]

I love this camera for the "filmic' look. The no mic input isn't a problem as I only ever use the onboard mic for reference sound and use a Tascam DR-10c (not available in the US) for local recording and pluraleyes to synch the two. I love the ability to swap out lenses and if I want to I can plug in my Ninja Star to record externally. You can also buy dummy batteries for usb power. I bought it for the image quality - everything else I can work around.

[@RayOrtega]

+L4LTV yeah if you can mod it out, it gives you lots of options. Thanks!

[@Blaiddcymru]

Just bought this camera and your review actually helped to figure a couple things afterwards :)

[@RayOrtega]

Awesome, thanks for letting me know.

[@Blaiddcymru]

Ray Ortega No problem at all, all that’s left is trying figure out the best video settings. Also you were right, the flip screen is incredibly handy.

[@TheDormuns]

Great video! I just picked one up today used. So far, we love it!! We got it mainly for vlogging in public settings as an alternative to our Canon DSLR. The video quality is remarkable for a this little guy!

[@SyedAlwi]

Got this camera last week.. low budjet camera for 2020.. little old but i love the fast af.. i think the overheating is not a problem and i shoot video less than 5 min.. maybe if i want to do sitdown video i can use dummy battery and power bank..i hope it can handle the overheating a little bit.. thanks for this video Ray... 😊

[@RayOrtega]

Thanks for the feedback, a dummy battery is a good idea and leave the battery door open to help vent some of that heat most will come from the battery.

[@SyedAlwi]

Ray Ortega oh okay.. thanks for the tips Ray! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@metamorphosis_77]

Great video Michael! Are you using a filter or is this video directly from the camera?

[@RayOrtega]

+The Quintessential Man from the cam with slight color correction and I don't know who Michael is;) #Ray #thanksforwatching!

[@vovchuks]

Hi! Cool video! Thank you! Now I’m choosing a camera for shooting a vlog, your video helped me a lot! Canon has a softer picture, it's nice to watch your video, but Sony has high resolution detail, which is not very pleasant when viewing, maybe it's better for news reports. I will take Canon 60d, 70d or 80d for myself. Thanks again for your video! Good luck with your work!

[@TylerPutnam2.0]

I just ordered this camera for my first good primary camera, before I used my phone so this will be Hella better but I did wish I was able to plug in a mic but I'll get over it haha

[@LiftWithUs]

You earned my sub!! Now imma buys this camera for my vlog without hesistate!!

[@RayOrtega]

Awesome, thanks!

[@LiftWithUs]

Ray Ortega i just bought it on Adorama haha.. thanks alot for the review

[@nolanmolt]

Just got this camera!!! I've been vlogging with it on my channel, and it's amazing!

[@adetorrent]

You should try it with a selfie stick. It's light enough for that. Very handy for getting interesting angles when shooting video.

[@RayOrtega]

+Ade Torrent Good tip. Thanks!

[@dunnymonster]

I've owned the Sony A5100 for a little over a year and shot extensively with it and it produces amazing video in complicated lighting and outstanding images too. This for me is probably overall the best camera you can buy for the money, it's touch to focus locks on and tracks moving subjects brilliantly, something it's bigger brother the A6000 cannot do. Internally this camera is an A6000 in a striped down body. Given the small body size I'd prefer to use off camera audio recording and sync it later so lack of audio inputs isn't a downside for me personally. Also don't forget you can purchase very cheap adapters to pair this mirrorless with just about any legacy manual focus lense from any manufacturer, perfect for creative video. All in all an amazing little camera. I look forward to its replacement given the recent release of the A6300.

[@FirstbornAthletics]

Great review man. I bought this cam and use it for all the videos on my channel. I was previously using a Canon SX730. The Sony A5100 was a huge step up in quality.

[@BenjaminGib]

Sony get it right and include ext mic AND tilt screen!!!! Ugh

[@RayOrtega]

For sure;)

[@folkesiren3744]

external audio would be so good that this camera would be the best out there !

[@parth7888]

@@folkesiren3744 true

[@thelifepurposeof...]

Great review. This looks like it does all I need since I'm not trying to make movie type videos. Thank you very much!

[@trevonthurmond3262]

What are the settings you had set when showing a5100 footage ?

[@MarksTech]

holy shit... my video isn't nearly as good as yours, and I have the a5000.. is it that much different? what video settings are you using? just normal movie mode?

[@RayOrtega]

yeah just movie mode. I used both shutter priority, XAVS and manual mode. Good lighting is always key to a great image too. Thanks for watching!

[@kohinoorimam539]

iMarks Tech he is using a5100

[@tiffanyjavonne]

love my sony a5100. it was hard to track one down but finally got my hands on it.

[@RayOrtega]

Glad you found one! Thanks for watching

[@ludah4733]

same here , i caved in at best buy and bought the display one. they gave me 100$ off and so far no problems

[@LiveWorkWander]

Been using this camera a lot lately and it is fantastic for vlogging BUT it really does overheat a lot. However, if you keep your clips under 3min, shouldn't be a problem.

[@deelexus7130]

Got it yesterday and loving it !!!

[@jc-jz3rb]

did u get it online?

[@domitalain1]

that camera is good but the overheating issue is a pain and cuts off after 12 minutes.I returned it and got the Canon 70d which is amazing

[@RayOrtega]

+domitalain1 yes, the 70D is very awesome. I've used the 60D for most of my videos on this channel and it's been a quality workhorse but I'm really starting to enjoy a form factor that is easy to carry everywhere like this a5100. I didn't run into an overheating issue, hopefully they have fixed that.

[@ET_Videos]

+domitalain1 Are you sure it was the 5200 that overheated?? I thought that was the A7 series?

[@domitalain1]

a5100 and yes. the sony rep. did say there was issues with it.

[@johnolson8386]

Ray, I just looked back through your video list and saw this video. And your cautionary "lower third" added later about the A5100 overheating. Let me share my saga, in the event that it is helpful to somebody - and to give you an opportunity to shake your head (sideways!) It was your excellent video on using the Canon 70D, the Zoom H6N, Sennheiser LAV's and a couple other things (which I don't remember) several years ago that allowed me to scratch the "I need a new hobby" itch. So, I bought them - the 70D, the H6N, the SH LAV's and a Ravelli tripod. And I taught myself FCPX. The 70D was so-so in video mode, probably because I didn't know what I was doing. About then the A5100 came out, and I bought one of those. Better results with the A5100, but I never tried to shoot anything over about 5 minutes (so I didn't bump into the overheating problem). So, never one to jump slowly into anything, I had learned enough about FCPX to be dangerous and decided I would do multi-cam shooting with THREE A5100's, so I bought two more and a bunch more tripods, etc. Still never shot anything over 5 minutes. Then I went full bore into green screen, etc. Set a large one up in my basement. THEN, I bumped into the overheating problem. Ooops. Actually, before that I started shooting my 70D on my primary tripod and two 5100's on each side. Messy because the quality of images coming off the 70D and the 5100's were beyond my ability to match up in FCPX post. (And I had a couple of high end Canon lenses to use on the 70D, purchased when I went through my still photo phase several years earlier - 50mm/1.2L, 24-70/2.8L - in my Canon Rebel phase.) Then, guess what ... I started to get more confident - I had the 70D and two of the A5100's on tripods and they clicked themselves off sequentially as they overheat-ed. Overheated many times, but I was still having fun. Not going to give up, so what did I buy next? ... a Sony A6000, hoping the A6000 would be a better match for the 70D in a two camera shoot. Not. Or at least I couldn't figure it out. THEN (don't worry, this saga will end soon), I bought a Canon C100, Mark II - KNOWING that that beast wouldn't have an overheating problem. Bought a high-end Manfrotto tripod and the Apurture LED Light Dome setup. I'm sort of getting what I want now. Oh and a Sennheiser MKE-60 on a boom. And a couple of RODE VideoMic Pro's So - this is a story of somebody who had way more money than brains. The message is ... well, maybe that is obvious. Use your head before you buy a bunch of stuff! ;-) And don't buy any used A5100's, thinking they'll be useful in your video endeavors!

[@oceankham]

such a good review man, seriously. Very helpful and lots of good info at such a great pace to keep up with.

[@RayOrtega]

Thanks, Ocean! That is really great feedback.

[@oceankham]

Ray Ortega after a bunch of reviews, i pulled the trigger on the camera because of your review. it was the most helpful.

[@AVweb]

Say hey Ray...great review. So nice to hear good audio.

[@mandydanish3907]

This was one of the better reviews on this camera, thanks so much! I am coming from a photography background and am getting in to some vlog-type videos this year. After reviewing a bunch of cameras, I decided to pick this one up. Do you know of a way to reduce motor noise when zooming while recording video? That's my only guff about it right now as I am starting to play around and record some video...

[@RayOrtega]

Thanks, glad this was helpful. You'd have to get a lens with a quieter zoom or zoom manually with your hand or wear a mic that is separated from the camera.

[@MsAvalon25]

I have been waiting and hoping you did a review on this camera. Thank you so much!

[@RayOrtega]

+MsAvalon25 awesome, it's a great cam but definitely has some limits, mostly the lack of an audio input but would still be great for vlogging.

[@MsAvalon25]

Ray Ortega I was looking at it for vlogging mostly because I hear it's lightweight. I have a Nikon for my videos.

[@RayOrtega]

+MsAvalon25 cool, I hear on long recordings it might have some issues with overheating. So that's something to think about

[@MsAvalon25]

Ray Ortega thank you so much Ray.

[@YanesCorner]

Thanks for the review! I think I will be buying this camera as I want to start filming for my youtube channel and I do not have a big budget but want a flip screen :)

[@RayOrtega]

Thanks. I've heard that some overheat after shooting for awhile so be mindful of that.

[@oorachorn2347]

Just bought new in 2019

[@travm3978]

Me too !

[@AdrianThePhotoMan]

@@travm3978 me to😂

[@ashleymclauchlinrnle1309]

Have you had any issues with it overheating at all while shooting video?

[@AdrianThePhotoMan]

@@ashleymclauchlinrnle1309 One time it overheat but I was doing an overheating test and it didnt overheat after 20 minutes . Its fantastic camera

[@fajarariffadila5967]

@@AdrianThePhotoMan how?

[@mylifebrandi]

I have this camera. It is amazing! If you film past 20 min it starts to say Temp to High Allow to cool Off. Then the camera shuts off. Best Buy gave me a 2nd one, that one said the same thing too. Other than that it's an amazing camera!!!

[@shreyamehta5388]

I recently bought Sony 5100! Yay!! Can you please tell me what settings you made in the camera for the video starting from 2:28 to 2:42 ? Cause it so perfect and clear! I made many changes in my camera, but when I filmed it looked really weird.

[@RayOrtega]

I don't recall exactly but I shot this in manual at 24fps, shutter 1/50 and then you have to choose your aperture based on how you want your background to look and try to keep your ISO below 1000 when possible and I use the XAVCS codec

[@TedEhioghae]

@@RayOrtega What focus mode did you use? It looked like when you put your hand in front, it still stayed to your face and not your hands.

[@marafetigr1940]

Ray awesome video, very informative. Would you recommend it over 70D? Im more interested in video shooting. Is there any way or patent to hook up an external mic? Is the AF noisy? What about the lens that's coming with and if the lenses are wide enough. Is it final that the A6300 will not have a tilt 180 screen?.. that sucks!! Greetings from Greece.

[@RayOrtega]

+Marafeti GR thanks. I'd probably stick with the 70D unless I was vlogging. The 70D has the mic input, great AF and I'm hearing the a5100 might have some overheating issues. No way to hook up an external mic to the a5100. I don't recall the AF being noise but I could hear the image stabilization at times. the a6300 will not have a 180 degree screen just the same as the a600 did not. It's a really lame thing to not do and it would make so much sense to do it the way Canon does. I'm also now concerned with overheating and will have to wait for tests to find out.

[@DiMastaX12]

Yeah, this is amazing little camera. Very universal and more powerfull vs 70d (have it too) as videomachine. I'm waiting for new lenses from sigma, tamron, tokina for e-mount. Native Sony/Zeiss lenses not good or very expensive. And waiting for new a5300 (may be) with 4k, fhd@120fps etc.

[@RayOrtega]

+DiMasta I'd love to see all that. Hope the update this cam soon!

[@AyeshaNoelle]

Best informative video on the sony. Is the difference between the a5000 really big?

[@RayOrtega]

Thanks Noelle! I haven't used the a5000 but the differences don't seem that big. A better recording codec in the a5100 and maybe better autofocus but mostly the same. Check out some vids on here shot with the a5000 and see if you like the look. That's the best test and watch reviews to see what people like and don't like.

[@AyeshaNoelle]

Thank you so much for all the info!! You're the best, I think I'm going to buy the a5000 because it's so much cheaper :)

[@MarleyBabe]

Just purchased this camera to do more YT vids :) Thank you for this video!! It really helped a lot. What microphone do you recommend I get that'll get the job done at a fair price? I don't mind to sync the sound when editing.

[@RayOrtega]

+Mhailene Morrison congrats! I like using this lav aspenmics.com/collections/all/products/hq-spk-stereo-lavalier-micophone-for-iphone-ipad-ipod-touch this set comes with the adapter to go to your smartphone which you could use as a recorder or you could buy an additional recorder like the H1 podhelp.me/h1amazon thanks for watching!

[@techwolfcave]

Great video. I like how you presented your review on this one. Me and my gf is planning to buy one, we have options, the budget one (a5100) or the much expensive one (zv-1) both are from sony. I gotta show this video to her. Thanks.

[@exferrofides]

Hello, thanks for this comprehensible video, I am buying this tomorrow. But, now I realize that I will need a system of audio recorder. Could you make a video about that too? I do not want to spend too much more money.

[@GeekwGlasseslive]

After playing with the G7X and the A5100 if you had to spend the money on one for your own use which one would you choose?? I need a replacement VLOGGING camera and after seeing your A5100 image I am pretty damn impressed. I am already used to the Sony since I HAD a NEX 5r... Just wondering. Great video as always. We need to catch up soon!!

[@RayOrtega]

+Geek with Glasses thanks Neil. Turns out, after a lot of comments on here that the a5100 and a6000 have overheating issues. So I don't think I would choose this cam despite liking it a whole lot. That said, if you're not shooting for really long periods, it might be ok. But something to be aware of. The G7x JUST came out with a brand new version so the older model might drop in price really soon or can find a really good deal. I do like that cam a lot. For vlogging you probably won't have a lot of deep DOF shots so that issue I point out might not be a big deal. For Always worth looking at the Sony RX100 series as well as that is the big competitor to the g7x and I've seen good prices as well.

[@GeekwGlasseslive]

Yea the G7X MKII looks promising with the Digic7 proc with improving the auto focus. I used to use my NEX 5r for 20-30 mins shots to create time-lapse and never had an issue with the temps...that being said it does not mean the A series won't have that issue. I do not do a lot of long shots so overheating might not be an issue. I really do like the onboard mics that sony has...they work great and when you have the screen flipped up it bounces your voice down directly into the mic :) I like the fact that I can also switch out lenses and the low light seem better than the G7X .... oh well I guess I have some more research to do. Wish I could get my hands on both to review and decide!!

[@RayOrtega]

+Geek with Glasses let me know where you end up! I'm waiting for a sale on the a6300 but not having a 180 degree screen is practically a deal breaker. Tough choice.

[@syknic2750]

Thank you Ray! Can't wait to bust open my camera some more. 😊😊😊

[@FrankShackleford]

Thanks for a great review; I had the a6000 but could not vlog with it; otherwise loved it; for regular shooting (not vlogging) I think I would miss the viewfinder also;

[@RayOrtega]

Yeah for vlogging, the flip screen is a must. Crazy that they haven't put a mic input into any of these yet. After that, these cams will be perfect vlogging cams.

[@cortneydaniels568]

Thanks--very informative. Obviously, in 2020, this is a really old camera now. It was given to me more than a year ago, & I'm just learning to use it now. Thanks for the video--it's a little over my beginner's head--but I got a lot out of it. If I were going to bump up a notch to a different camera--good for video--what would you suggest?

[@jenitavanrijswijk8885]

Great review! One question though: can you use the camera while charging?

[@RayOrtega]

+Jenita Van Rijswijk thx. I think so cause you can power it via usb. So you could plug in a USB power brick and have much longer battery life.

[@jenitavanrijswijk8885]

Ray Ortega okay Thank you! Because I was watching a review from the 6000 and you couldn’t use it while charging (it only showed a screen which said that it was charging, you couldn’t use the camera)

[@RayOrtega]

You should do some more research then. It might not charge while shooting. I know some newer Sony's can run from a USB brick but I don't have this camera anymore so I would check before buying if you need to have that especially if the a6000 doesn't do it. It may be that the a5100 doesn't have the right USB port in order to power while filming and maybe it wasn't till the a6300 did they have that.

[@praker5139]

Nice videos Ray. Subscribed. Straightforward and highlight critical points. Thank you.I'm helping my son choose an ideal vlogging and video journal camera. We got the RX100 V. Which is a stellar compact as you know. However I am tempted to return it for the a5100 in addition to a few lenses to offer greater flexibility. The 180 degree touch screen is very important, hence rules out many other crop sensor ILCs keeping this compact size, which is the 2nd most important feature. Too bad about lack of mic input, however iRig lavalier and iPhone do the job to be synced later. Cheers.

[@RayOrtega]

Thanks!

[@RayOrtega]

Check out the M6 that I reviewed as well kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4uXcpaImLmif5Y had a mic input and is a pretty great overall cam. You just need to mount the mic off to one side and that can be done with a handle that has a cold shoe

[@praker5139]

If only Canon could build their entry level or mid range mirrorless cameras with the quality materials that Sony does. This Canon M6 and M5 series feels cheap. Plasticky. Anyway just my gripe. I do like their dual pixel AF system. Had it on my 80D and loved it.

[@milosrale]

Overheating issues huh? Never used mirrorless cameras before ... even so, I still think it is worth a try. Searched to see if there are ways to make it overheat less, and there are. I'll need it for music video filming mostly, which is roughly 20mins of material for the entire day, so it should work. Also love that the Sony E mount can (via adapter) take vintage M42 lenses, and they are awesome imo

[@jbx907]

i just got the a5100 with a zhiyun crane m, i love it

[@RayOrtega]

Cool, have fun, James!

[@shescomplexx]

Hi Ray, thanks for your awesome review. I just got this camera yesterday and I was really excited but a little nervous about the audio output options. What would you suggest for a beginning vlogger as far as external microphones are concerned. Is there any options outside of syncing a completely separately recorded audio? Thanks in advanced.

[@RayOrtega]

Thanks, Sade. There are no native options for getting external audio into the camera unfortunately. For better audio you do have to record separate and sync in post. While not cheap, this is probably the most interesting/best option right now because it's all in one amzn.to/2vFXeZH you get a lav mic that goes into a tiny recorder. Super easy to put on yourself all day but the syncing in post does make it much more difficult. There is some software that you can get that will handle syncing all the files for you or you can just try and stay within arms length of your camera and use the on-board mics. They will probably do a decent job when you are out and about.

[@RayOrtega]

Thanks, Sade. There are no native options for getting external audio into the camera unfortunately. For better audio you do have to record separate and sync in post. While not cheap, this is probably the most interesting/best option right now because it's all in one amzn.to/2vFXeZH you get a lav mic that goes into a tiny recorder. Super easy to put on yourself all day but the syncing in post does make it much more difficult. There is some software that you can get that will handle syncing all the files for you or you can just try and stay within arms length of your camera and use the on-board mics. They will probably do a decent job when you are out and about.

[@TaMariahJ]

I love my Sony a5100 I got it for vlogging🙃

[@NotKevinLin]

wow, I've been looking for good camera to start vlogging, ur video helped me a lot, cheers man!

[@RayOrtega]

Cool, good luck with the vlog!

[@Beasty]

AMAZING REVIEW MAN! One question that always comes up when dealing with video...what is the max recording time? What is the limit for continuous video? Basically I'm asking because I need a camera that can record for more than 30 minutes without the camera automatically stopping the recording.

[@RayOrtega]

+Laughy thx! I believe the limit is around the 30 minute mark but not more. Take a look at the Panasonic mirrorless cams like the gh4 which I think in the U.S. have no limit.

[@Beasty]

Ray Ortega Thank you! Is that 30 minute limit for 1080p or 720?

[@RayOrtega]

+Laughy should be able to get that from 1080p. It's an estimate but it should be close.

[@PiotrWie]

hi! great video and comparison between a5100 & d70. I'd like to ask about the kit lens and the possibility of mounting a variable ND filter on it. Thanks!

[@RayOrtega]

+Piotr Wie really good question! I'll have to look into it, I don't recall if there was a thread on front so that you could put one on which would be an important aspect for someone shooting manual outdoors. If you find out first, let me know!

[@RogerBarrera]

Legit review, thank you man!

[@RayOrtega]

Thanks, Roger!

[@orerororeo]

Very useful video .. I am thinking of getting this cam as my primary cam? do you think it is a good choice? How about the photo quality? I am looking for a great camera for photos and videos with a good price.. Do you have any recommendations even from other brands

[@RayOrtega]

+orerororeo does good photo too. It probably wouldn't be my primary cam cause it doesn't have an audio input but in some cases it would work well

[@JoeSzilagy]

Great review Ray, I bought one today to go with my Sony RX100 VA which I use for 4K and slo-mo, etc. Actually, to me, cameras with a big sensor (like the 5100) produce image quality almost as good as 4K video. If not, I'll just throw in a hint of sharpness in post production from Final Cut Pro X. By the way, has anyone ever told you you look like James Caan, without your hat?

[@RayOrtega]

Thanks, Joe! James Caan is a new one, I've had a few different comparisons to other celebs in the comments but that one is a first ;)

[@JoeSzilagy]

@@RayOrtega Are you a musician Ray? I have the same Focusrite Scarlett in your video.

[@RayOrtega]

@@JoeSzilagy Until a year ago, no;) I now play bass guitar but wouldn't call myself a musician. I did however start using my bass with the Focusrite before I got an amp.

[@JoeSzilagy]

@@RayOrtega Hi Ray, sorry to keep bothering you, but I have a question that's been bothering me a little. A couple of days ago I bought the Sony f1.8 35 mm OSS lens (same as yours), but whenever I turn it on in either 'Auto' setting, the screen displays 'f2.0' at the bottom instead of f1.8. However, when I put it in AP, SS, M, etc., it displays f1.8. Other than that, I'm very happy with it. I just thought it would display f1.8 in any setting including 'Auto', when turned on. Is that normal? Thanks!

[@RayOrtega]

@@JoeSzilagy Because you're in auto the other settings (shutter and ISO) are also being controlled for you so when you try to get to f1.8 the auto exposure does not want it to be that bright, that is my guess.

[@TinyAcorn]

So helpful thank you!

[@RayOrtega]

Glad to hear, thanks for letting me know!

[@mo1st666]

Really cool video, this also came out on my 11th birthday.

[@RayOrtega]

Thanks, happy b-day in a few days!

[@mo1st666]

Ray Ortega You’re welcome and thank you!

[@Anita_Lauren]

I have this sony camera I use to film my youtube videos, and it's a great travel friendly little camera, but when filming long videos it will overheat and shut off.

[@kiddynamite118]

Ray thanks man. I'm going to start a vlogging channel with the Sony a5100

[@annebfprado]

Thank you, that was very helpful! Also love your kitchen :)

[@RayOrtega]

Thanks! 1936 house, the kitchen was a complete gut and overhaul...all the cred to my wife for the design and project management. Wow that was brutal!

[@KimJimenez]

Thank you for an awesome review! So, so helpful.

[@Glitterbeauties]

Im on my second a5100 and the overheating issues are worse w the newer models. Was hoping to use it bc my 70D crapped out but it took me ten hours to film a video today on the Sony due to it shutting down every 7 mins bc it overheats 😫🤦🏻‍♀️

[@RayOrtega]

Boo, that sux. Thanks for the feedback. Should help others still looking at this cam. The overheating issue was a definite downside to Sony mirrorless until the last 2 years. With the a6500, they've mostly fixed it even the a6300 with a firmware update. And in 4K. It's too bad too cause this a5100 is such a great little cam. I had great results on it for vlogging but all my shots in that kind of setup are always going to be less than a minute. If you are trying to sit in front of the cam and talk, definitely something to be concerned about. I really wish Sony would give this cam new life and update it because the price is great and so is the flip screen. Fingers crossed.

[@Glitterbeauties]

Ray Ortega I know, it really does suck. They should really discontinue it or fix the issue....I had it originally for two years and used it for vlogging also so the overheating didn’t bug me too much. But, That one broke bc of my dog, so I instead of researching a different camera to vlog with, i just went and got a second Sony a5100. This one I just got a few months ago and they did update the firmware to 3.10 I think but.....it’s much worse with this one. My first one I could get 30 min stretches of video but w this one after 5-7mins it overheats! I even tried putting an ice pack to it and nothing lol! And I have the high speed SD cards but nothing I guess it’s time to get a different vlogging camera and hope that canon can fix my 70D 🤦🏻‍♀️😅

[@TheBCProject]

Hey Ray! I'm having trouble getting the clear, quality look out of my uploaded KZbin videos. Would you mind doing a video over your color correction techniques, maintaining such good exposure, and export settings for youtube? I will continue to be in awe of your advice and skill :)

[@RayOrtega]

+TheBCProject it may be how you are exporting it, I use the KZbin presets inside Premiere with small to no tweaks. But I'd love to show my workflow sometime so I'll put it down as a video I should make. Thanks for watching and the very kind words!

[@TheBCProject]

+Ray Ortega Thanks!!

Thanks a lot for this video, it answered all of my questions. Now I'm planning to buy it actually :)

[@emmanuelayibu6970]

Hey great review , Ray, you didnt mention much about the lens ,Which lens size would you recommend for me, i have a sony A5000 still learning to use it, but would love to take landscapes at a distance, thanks ,

[@RayOrtega]

+emmanuel ayibu if you're doing landscapes you'll need a wide lens. The kit lens having a 16mm was really nice and you can see in this video that it looks good. There aren't a lot of native Sony lenses yet for this cam.

[@emmanuelayibu6970]

Ok ,thanks Ray

[@GS-zp9xt]

Thanks for the great review I'm in the market for something this caliber but I think the no mic port is the deal breaker for me

[@RayOrtega]

+BassMan video me too;) thx for watching!

[@thatzhu]

i understand now... thank you Ray

[@Jarhead6]

Great review Ray! Thanks!

[@LBreezy214]

Great video. You're very articulate and I didn't even hear a lot of "um....uh..." lol Your review definitely helped with my decision to purchase this camera for vlogging.

[@RayOrtega]

Thanks! I work hard on not having too many umms etc;) I'm also a podcaster so that helps. Plus..editing lol. Just beware some people have had overheating issues with this cam and other mirrorless Sony cams. I didn't have it with mine but some others do. Make sure you get the camera from somewhere you can return it just in case it doesn't work for you.

[@crkvlogs6819]

So i have a question that has been driving me nuts! Hopefully you can help me out?! Anyone! I have this camera and i record vlogs. After i export the movie from imovie in HD and its SUPER clear on imovie and on my desktop after saving, why after i upload it to youtube is it not the same?! Ugh i see so many people use this camera vlogging and it looks amazing but on mine its not like that. Nice but not the best it should be! Please help!

[@RayOrtega]

Are you using a KZbin preset inside iMovie to export your video? If not, try that.

[@crkvlogs6819]

how do you do that?

[@RayOrtega]

check the export settings in iMovie. Try this www.reely.com/darren/Guides/iMovie%20Export%20Guide/#iMovieHDJump

[@crkvlogs6819]

in the new imovie they dont have export to quicktime anymore or finalize

[@missychrissssy]

Thanks so much for this video! I've been eyeballing this for a year. Microphone is far too important and I don't think this will work for my needs. So bought a canon 7d and a rode microphone - works amazing but I'm so lost trying to properly adjust the camera for outdoor daylight video settings. Do you have a video for 7d camera video settings? if not could you do a 7d video for us? :)

[@RayOrtega]

+Missy Chrissy I don't have one for 7D but for video there won't be much if any difference in the setup than the 70D kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnO8pYaPmbWbqNU for outside, if you want to do a shallow depth of field, you have to have one of these kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIiZiqaqjpajhck

[@musicnotes881]

I just bought this camera. This is a great tutorial. thanks

[@RayOrtega]

+rick starr thanks, Rick!

[@makeuplahbynaddyg2594]

Hey Ray! Great video! highly informative and for someone like me who's really new at vlogging & doing makeup tutorials, this is a very helpful video, easy to understand for beginners and great examples! I just have one thing to ask, for recording video purposes, my setting is pretty much the automatic setting for video recording, aspect ratio is 16:9 etc, however, if i were to edit this video using Adobe Premiere Pro, I have difficulty removing the 2 black bars on each side (left & right) of my video. Ive tried to scale it, up to 124% to "fit the screen" but i noticed that it affects the quality of the video. I also tried cropping the video, but still it doesnt remove the 2 black bars. So if u have any idea how to guide me in terms of the recording setting on camera, or Adobe Premiere Pro setting to just remove the 2 black bars on each sides, ID REALLY REALLY APPRECIATE IT! Here's a link to my makeup tutorial to better understand my situation (the two black bars): kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGPUpYOcpsSBn9U

[@RayOrtega]

Somewhere you are either shooting in 4x3 SD or editing in it. Make sure on your Sony that you are shooting 1080p HD. If so, then make sure in Premiere that you are editing in the same sequence settings as your footage (1920x1080 HD)

[@nateanuke]

Do you think a5100 with 18-200mm would be wild enough for an arm length selfie?

[@RayOrtega]

+nate anuke of course it depends on the look you need but 18 is a decent wide distance but if that's a big lens it will be a pain to hold out. This 16mm was good for me as you can see

[@buffylovzu]

you did such a great job with this review thankyou so much! this video helped me, you know alot.

[@RayOrtega]

Thanks!

[@Techstoker]

Which one is the best cheapest camera for making video on KZbin

[@CameraGear]

4K SONY a5200 Coming Soon ! Possibly 2018 January !

[@RayOrtega]

Looks like it's been a rumor for almost a year so I hope it comes true and soon! Thanks for the heads-up.

[@didisdestyani7352]

lol

[@pauldavies2751]

Great review. Amazon says that there is no image stabilisation built in like the 5000 and 6000. I was looking at the Tamron 18-270 lens for this camera but was wondering if this lens had IS built in and if so, was it as good as the Sony IS ? I'm used to point and shoot so apologies for asking in advance.

[@RayOrtega]

Thanks. The lens I use in this video has IS but I don't know about the Tamron. Just check their site. They probably call it something different. Each lens makers has their own name for IS.

[@ObelixCMM]

Tamron 18-270 is not made in E-mount that this camera is using. Sony version of that lens is for A-mount, to use it with A5100 you would need adapter from A to E mount

[@lifedumpbyangie7924]

I just bought one (since a friend told me is a great camera for youtube videos) but the problem i have is that when i take outside footage is very shaky...what setting in the camera can stabilise the clip i'm taking when i'm outside! Thank youuu

[@RayOrtega]

Any stabilization you can get would come from the lens not the camera. This Sony is too old for in-body stabilization but there are many lenses that fit this cam that have OS (optical stabilization), otherwise you can try the stabilization inside some of the editing apps like FCPX or Adobe Premiere

[@lifedumpbyangie7924]

@@RayOrtega thank you very much :)

[@SayWhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat]

maybe someday you will do LX100 review :) i saw some videos on youtube and it's quality is just amazing. but sony has the best AF in the world right now.

[@RayOrtega]

+Tomas Av. so many cams, so little time;) Thanks for the heads up though!

[@PKBVlogs]

Aswm video bro. Is this ok to buy this cam in 2019 for vlogging?

[@RayOrtega]

If you're cool with the built in mic, sure this would work great. No long clips cause it can overheat but most vlogging is done i short clips. I'd rather have an a6400 podhelp.me/a6400bodyBH (affiliate link) if the budget allowed.

[@adlerzwei]

I bought this camera for photography and it's funny watching a video where the focus is videomaking. ^^ I never used the tilt screen and the kit lens. The one thing that really bugs me it that there is no view finder. 😔 Image quality is on point though. 👌

[@RayOrtega]

+adlerzwei cool, it does awesome video, thanks for watching and have fun!

[@OranKoren]

Thanks for this great video! How come the autofocus is so quiet on this camera compared with a regular dslr?

[@RayOrtega]

+Oran Koren just depends on the lens. This one is relatively quiet. The STM lenses by Canon are completely silent.

[@OranKoren]

+Ray Ortega Thanks! (:

[@akiraishu4453]

nice review! ive got some other lenses lying around, what type of lens adapter should i look for a canon lens?

[@CodeRoastersAcademy]

What a good review! thanks, man!

[@RayOrtega]

Thanks, if you have the budget, I would definitely look into getting into the a6400 podhelp.me/a6400bodyBH (affiliate link) which fixes any of the negatives of the 5100.

[@JonathanPajakLensCulture]

Hi great review! Was wondering what memory card use suggest for the best usage of this camera for filing and photos? Thank you for your help

[@RayOrtega]

To get the max video capability out of this cam you need an SDXC card which used to cost a pretty penny but the prices have gotten so low since even the last time I checked, it's hard to believe. Here is the one I used when I had this cam, I bought it just to demo this cam even though I couldn't keep the cam;) podhelp.me/trans64SDXCUHS1BH And that's 64GBs! You could get the 32GB version for probably half the price.

[@JonathanPajakLensCulture]

Ray Ortega Thanks!!

[@mazzfotovideo]

Hi, great vídeo a question this camera overheat in vídeo?

[@RayOrtega]

Yes I've heard that some are prone to overheating and it's been a long running issue with Sony that wasn't really fixed until the a6500 podhelp.me/a6500BodyBH but even that can overheat if in direct sun. Just depends on how you are using the camera. Great last name by the way;)

[@ryansilva7249]

im plannjng on picking between the a5100 and the a6000...which should i go for

[@RayOrtega]

I guess it depends on how you are using it. The flip screen on the 5100 is great for vlogging otherwise the 6000 has the option to add on a mic unit. I time stamped the part of the video where I start talking a little about the comparisons kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWirhIytZpJsm5Im55s

[@kristinalosangeles9802]

Hi) nice video ! i would like to buy Sony but its so many options (((( difficult to choose what do u recommend new from Sony now?

[@RayOrtega]

thanks, the best Sony has going right now that isn't a complete budget breaker is the a6300 www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1222773-REG/sony_soa6300bk_alpha_a6300_mirrorless_digital.html/BI/5841/KBID/6710 (affiliate link) but it doesn't have a flip screen the like 5100 so it really just depends on what and how you are shooting

[@mestika94]

hey I'm newbie here, can you explain me what's the difference between the AVCS and the AVCHD mode? I've tried set to 50p 24m on AVCHD and when I tried to edit on adobe premiere the file is too big, which is nearly 1GB for 7 minutes video. Is that normal? anyway, nice review! it helps a lot

[@iamkendrawatson]

Love the video!! New subscriber! Ive had this camera for a few weeks now and so far I like it. Im not tech savy at all so it does what I need it to do. I can however see in the future buying a different camera to film with. We use it now to vlog and shoot sit down videos. As a beginner who doesnt know much about cameras this was a decent buy for us.

[@RayOrtega]

Thanks for the sub! Yep, great first choice. Keep making videos!

[@lunam9376]

I have the a6000 but I kind of want to opt for this camera instead because I enjoy the flip part of the screen much more than my a6000. I do a lot of videos that require a monitor or a mirror just to see myself. I usually film outside by myself so it's much more difficult when I don't have anyone or a monitor to have reference to. I use a manual lens to film for better quality but since I film by myself I'm not really too sure when I go out of focus (I use a really old film camera lens with an adapter). SO this is why I'm opting for this camera. Also, do you know if this camera can be filmed through the PlayMemories app? I am only able to take pictures which makes it even more difficult for me to film especially since I have to stand so far away. Thank you so much!

[@RayOrtega]

Flip screen is critical when filming yourself, this is a good choice for that (vlogging etc). Not sure about the Playmemories app, haven't used it before. Good luck!

[@jonaqpetla_]

I'm considering this now, say October 2017. I want a step up from my sony point and shoot. I'm cash strapped. I'm only planning to do photos with it. Is it a good option?

[@RayOrtega]

I don't shoot photos very often. I only focus on video but the pics I took with it were OK to me but again I only dabble in photos;)