• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony A77 II advantages over Sony A7 II

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 1.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 480 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Less shutter lag
    0.09 vs 0.22 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.5 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    12.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Sony A7 II advantages over Sony A77 II

  • Less expensive
    $998 vs $1798
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    59 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    930g vs 1351g
    Lighter weight
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    52 vs 26 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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  • Body Only
  • Kit with 28-70mm Lens
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Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality, especially lower ISOs; Improved high ISO performance when using RAW; Very good dynamic range; High-resolution images; Very fast single-shot autofocus; 12fps burst mode with C-AF; Good value for its class.

  • Lackluster continuous AF performance; Strong NR processing in high ISO JPEGs; Sluggish buffer clearing; Short battery life compared to most DSLRs; Joystick control easy to press accidentally.

  • Read our Sony A77 II Review

  • Excellent 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization; Sensor-shift IS brings stabilization to nearly any lens; Much-improved ergonomics and top-deck control layout; 'Mark II' maintains same impressive image quality, dynamic range and high ISO performance; XAVC S 50Mbps video format; Faster start-up time; Hybrid AF performs well with good continuous AF.

  • (Similar to A7): Loud shutter (but electronic first-curtain helps); Battery life could be better; Low-light AF still not as good as most DSLRs; High ISO JPEGs look over-processed; Slow buffer clearing; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses (but it's getting better).

  • Read our Sony A7 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 70D

Sony A77 II
Canon 70D
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A77 II vs Canon 70D

Sony A7 II
Canon 70D
  • $1175
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compare Sony A7 II vs Canon 70D

Compared to Sony A7

Sony A77 II
Sony A7
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sony A77 II vs Sony A7

Sony A7 II
Sony A7
  • $1175
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A7

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Sony A77 II
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1647
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A77 II vs Canon 7D Mark II

Sony A7 II
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $1175
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $1647
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A7 II vs Canon 7D Mark II

Compared to Nikon D7200

Sony A77 II
Nikon D7200
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1043
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A77 II vs Nikon D7200

Sony A7 II
Nikon D7200
  • $1175
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1043
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A7 II vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Sony A7 III

Sony A77 II
Sony A7 III
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1665
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A77 II vs Sony A7 III

Sony A7 II
Sony A7 III
  • $1175
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1665
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A7 III

Compare Other Cameras?