• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 45.7 megapixels
  • ISO 64 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Sony A77 advantages over Nikon Z7

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 530 vs 400 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.21 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.6 fps vs 9.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.6 fps vs 9.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Nikon Z7 advantages over Sony A77

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,668 vs 801 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.6 vs 13.2 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Newer
    6 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    2100k vs 922k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.80x vs 0.73x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    45.7 vs 24.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    26 vs 17 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    23 vs 14 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 16000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A77

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z7

Review Excerpt

  • Very fast top frame rate; full-time phase-detect autofocus; Full 60p HD video; Excellent kit lens; Very good high-resolution sensor.

  • Heavy; EVF appears dim when used in bright light; AF tracking in Movie mode was unreliable in our testing.

  • Familiar design in a compact form; Rugged build quality; Gorgeous EVF; Excellent image quality; Good autofocus; In-body image stabilization; Good 4K video recording.

  • Single card slot; Not as good at subject tracking as some Nikon DSLR cameras; Limited native lens selection (although adapter works well); Limited buffer depths.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 7D

Sony A77
Canon 7D
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Nikon Z7
Canon 7D
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon 70D

Sony A77
Canon 70D
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
Nikon Z7
Canon 70D
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Sony A77 II

Sony A77
Sony A77 II
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Built-in GPS
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Nikon Z7
Sony A77 II
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Nikon Z6

Sony A77
Nikon Z6
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon Z7
Nikon Z6
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • More pixels
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon EOS R

Sony A77
Canon EOS R
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1596
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon Z7
Canon EOS R
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup
  • $1596
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Compare Other Cameras?