• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

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Differences

Sony DSC-WX5 advantages over Sony A77

  • Less expensive
    $329 vs $2000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    21 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner

Sony A77 advantages over Sony DSC-WX5

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.95 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 2.1 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 230 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.32 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 12.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 2 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.6 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    17 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    16000 vs 3200 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

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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.

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSC-WX1

Sony DSC-WX5
Sony DSC-WX1
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
  • $337
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
Sony A77
Sony DSC-WX1
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $337
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Canon 7D

Sony DSC-WX5
Canon 7D
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony A77
Canon 7D
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX90

Sony DSC-WX5
Panasonic DMC-FX90
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $163
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Shoots 1080p video
Sony A77
Panasonic DMC-FX90
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $163
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Thinner

Compared to Samsung MV900F

Sony DSC-WX5
Samsung MV900F
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
Sony A77
Samsung MV900F
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Sony A77 II

Sony DSC-WX5
Sony A77 II
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Sony A77
Sony A77 II
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Built-in GPS
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
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