• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 360.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony A77 advantages over Panasonic ZS200

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.95 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 2.9 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 370 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.73x vs 0.53x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 20.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.6 fps vs 10.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.6 fps vs 9.4 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Panasonic ZS200 advantages over Sony A77

  • 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
  • Thinner
    45 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    6 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    413k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    139 vs 17 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    33 vs 14 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 16000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A77

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS200

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.

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
Panasonic ZS200
Canon 7D
  • $648
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon 70D

Sony A77
Canon 70D
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
Panasonic ZS200
Canon 70D
  • $648
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony A77 II

Sony A77
Sony A77 II
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Built-in GPS
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Panasonic ZS200
Sony A77 II
  • $648
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Panasonic ZS100

Sony A77
Panasonic ZS100
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Panasonic ZS200
Panasonic ZS100
  • $648
  • 1 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Sony RX100 VI

Sony A77
Sony RX100 VI
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $949
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Panasonic ZS200
Sony RX100 VI
  • $648
  • 1 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $949
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger lens aperture
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