• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 12.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 102,400

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Differences

Sony A77 advantages over Sony A7S

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 2.0 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 380 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
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 12.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.6 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.6 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Sony A7S advantages over Sony A77

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 8.40 vs 3.95 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Higher effective ISO
    3,702 vs 801 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Thinner
    48 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    62 vs 17 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    39 vs 14 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    409600 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 panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A77

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.

  • Outstanding high ISO performance; excellent dynamic range; 4K video recording (via uncompressed HDMI); XAVC S option for HD video; Slightly improved battery life over A7/A7R; Built-in Wi-Fi & NFC connectivity.

  • 4K video requires expensive external recorder; Sluggish startup time; Loud shutter; Silent Shooting mode hurts image quality; Lacks a built-in, pop-up flash; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses.

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
Sony A7S
Canon 7D
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Canon 70D

Sony A77
Canon 70D
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
Sony A7S
Canon 70D
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Sony A77 II

Sony A77
Sony A77 II
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Built-in GPS
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Sony A7S
Sony A77 II
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony A7S II

Sony A77
Sony A7S II
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Fast startup
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Sony A7S
Sony A7S II
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video

Compared to Leica M (Typ 262)

Sony A77
Leica M (Typ 262)
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $4995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Sony A7S
Leica M (Typ 262)
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $4995
  • 35mm
  • More pixels
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
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