Sony SLT Alpha 65 vs Sony SLT Alpha 77 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · DSLR · 24.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 65
57
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 24.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 77
62
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony SLT Alpha 65 and Sony SLT Alpha 77 are both DSLRs announced on the same day in 2011, so neither is the newer body. Each uses the Sony Alpha DT lens mount, so both bodies draw on the same native DT lens collection. The Alpha 65 is the smaller and lighter body for everyday carrying, at 132 x 97 x 81 mm and 622 g against 143 x 104 x 81 mm and 732 g for the Alpha 77, a 110 g difference. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2011 | 2011 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 24, 2011 | August 24, 2011 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 132 x 97 x 81 mm | 143 x 104 x 81 mm |
| Camera weight | 622 g | 732 g |
| Optics | 68/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 77 is the stronger choice for action photographers, offering 12 fps continuous shooting against 10 fps on the Alpha 65. Those two extra frames per second give you more chances to catch a bird taking off or a striker hitting the ball. Its 1/8000 second top shutter speed also allows exposures twice as short as the Alpha 65's 1/4000 second, keeping wide apertures usable in strong sunshine. The core shooting specification matches, so either body gives you a 24.3 MP APS-C CMOS sensor, 19 autofocus points, in-body stabilisation and a 2359000-dot electronic viewfinder. In expanded settings the Alpha 65 reaches 25600 ISO where the Alpha 77 stops at 16000 ISO, and the Alpha 77 offers a 50 ISO expanded low setting against 100 ISO. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.3 MP050 | 24.3 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6000 x 4000 | 6000 x 4000 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.6 x 23.5 | 15.6 x 23.5 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
10 fps045 | 12 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Sony Alpha DT | Sony Alpha DT |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Bionz | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
160003003280000 | 160003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 5030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 160003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
190300 | 190300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 235900009900000 | 235900009900000 |
| Video | 56/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoClips from either body fit the same AVCHD or MP4 workflow, because the recording limits match here. Full HD is the maximum resolution on both, with a 60 fps maximum frame rate, which suits family footage and web delivery. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
AVCHD, MP4 | AVCHD, MP4 |
| Features | 41/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 77 is the better equipped body for working outdoors and sharing files, with weather sealing and built-in Wi-Fi that the Alpha 65 lacks. If you shoot landscapes in dusty conditions or want to transfer photos to a phone without a card reader, the Alpha 77 is the body that supports it. Both give you a 3-inch LCD with 921000 dots that flips out for waist-level and overhead framing, GPS for geotagging travel photos, a built-in flash and support for an external flash. Neither body has Bluetooth or a touchscreen. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
 Yes | Yes |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
No |  Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
No |  Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 27/100 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryMemory cards carry over between these bodies, since both take SD, SDHC or SDXC cards or Memory Stick Pro Duo or Pro-HG Duo in a single slot. Neither offers dual slots or USB charging, and both run on the same NP-FM500H battery. The Alpha 65 holds the longer battery rating, at 510 shots against 470 for the Alpha 77, a 40-shot difference in the rated figures. That favours the Alpha 65 when charging opportunities are limited. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-FM500H | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
510 shots1505000 | 470 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony SLT Alpha 77 if you photograph fast or unpredictable subjects. Its 12 fps burst and 1/8000 second shutter make it the better tool for sports and wildlife, weather sealing supports outdoor work, and Wi-Fi simplifies file transfers on the go.
Choose the Sony SLT Alpha 65 if you prefer the smaller, lighter body, with its 110 g weight saving and 510-shot battery rating suiting travel and everyday shooting. Both share the 24.3 MP sensor, in-body stabilisation and DT lens mount, so your lens collection carries over either way.