Sony SLT Alpha 77 vs Sony SLT Alpha 77 II — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · DSLR · 24.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 77
62
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 24.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 77 II
66
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony SLT Alpha 77 II is the newer of these two Sony DSLRs, arriving in 2014 three years after the Sony SLT Alpha 77. Both bodies measure 143 x 104 x 81 mm, so neither takes up more room in a bag. The Alpha 77 II weighs 647 g against 732 g, an 85 g saving with no change in external size. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2011 | 2014 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 24, 2011 | May 1, 2014 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 143 x 104 x 81 mm | 143 x 104 x 81 mm |
| Camera weight | 732 g | 647 g |
| Optics | 70/100 | 74/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 77 II is the stronger choice for tracking movement, with more than four times the autofocus points, 79 against 19 on the Alpha 77. The wider spread gives you many more placement options for off-centre subjects in sports and wildlife work. Both share the 24.3 MP APS-C CMOS sensor specification and the Sony Alpha DT mount, so your existing lenses work on either body. The Alpha 77 II also reaches a native ISO ceiling of 25600 against 16000, with its expanded range extending to 51200. That keeps higher settings available in dim gyms or at dusk. The newer body pairs this with the Bionz X processor, replacing the original Bionz. Both shoot at 12 fps and offer in-body stabilisation, and each offers a 2359000-dot electronic viewfinder. | ||
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. |
12 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 X |
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 | 256003003280000 |
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. |
5030200 | 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. |
160003003280000 | 512003003280000 |
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. |
800080032000 | 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 | 790300 |
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 ComparisonVideoFor web and family clips, both cameras record up to Full HD, with a top frame rate of 60 fps and files in AVCHD or MP4. That frame rate keeps fast motion smooth on playback. Neither offers 4K or a built-in timelapse mode, so both suit the same HD projects. | ||
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 | 54/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 77 II has the sharper rear screen for checking focus, with 1229000 dots against 921000 on the Alpha 77. The extra detail helps when you zoom in to confirm a portrait's eyes. Both screens measure 3 inches and flip for high and low angles, and neither offers touch control. The original Alpha 77 keeps one advantage of its own with built-in GPS, which tags every frame with location data for travel and landscape archives. The Alpha 77 II drops it. Both keep weather sealing, Wi-Fi for wireless transfer, a built-in flash and support for external flash units. | ||
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 | No |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | TFT 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 | 12290001150001500000 |
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. |
 Yes | 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 BatteryStorage is shared, with a single slot on each body accepting SD, SDHC and SDXC cards plus Memory Stick Pro Duo media. Neither charges over USB, and both run on the same NP-FM500H battery, so one set of spares serves either body. The Alpha 77 II rates 480 shots against 470 for the Alpha 77 under their stated test conditions. That 10-shot gap comes on the same battery, so neither body changes your spare-battery planning. | ||
| 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. |
470 shots1505000 | 480 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony SLT Alpha 77 II if you photograph action, from birds in flight to indoor sports, because its 79 autofocus points spread wider for tracking and its higher ISO ceiling keeps settings available in dim arenas. The sharper rear screen speeds up focus checks after each burst.
Choose the original Sony SLT Alpha 77 when location tagging matters, since its built-in GPS records where each landscape or travel frame was taken. Video limits, battery and card setup are shared, so the practical decision is autofocus spread, ISO headroom and screen detail against GPS tagging.