Canon EOS 77D

The EOS 77D is an APS-C DSLR released in 2017. You compose through an optical viewfinder, which provides a direct view of the scene.

It suits someone stepping up from a phone or basic camera who wants real handling without losing familiar conveniences. The touchscreen, flip-out screen and live view keep composition flexible, while Wi-Fi and Bluetooth cover wireless linking.

The body measures roughly 131 by 100 by 76 millimetres. Its traditional DSLR form also includes a flip-out touchscreen for flexible framing.

For stills, the 77D earns a good Optics score of 64 and sits around the middle of cameras in our database for Optics. The APS-C sensor's resolution leaves plenty of scope for large prints and generous cropping.

Autofocus offers 45 points to choose from, and the burst rate reaches a maximum of 6 fps. That pace covers casual sport and children at play, though it is a maximum figure rather than a promise of sustained speed.

There is no in-body stabilisation, so the body itself does not counter camera shake; a stabilised lens or a tripod can take on that job. The optical pentamirror viewfinder gives a direct, lag-free view of the scene.

Sensitivity runs from ISO 100 to 25600, and the shutter tops out at 1/4000 second, so in bright light at a wide aperture you may need to stop down.

The movie side earns a good Video score of 70. Recording tops out at Full HD rather than 4K, which is the main constraint for anyone planning cinematic work. Frame rates reach 60 fps, giving smoother motion options for everyday clips. Full HD suits everyday delivery, while 60 fps helps with smoother movement.

A built-in timelapse function lets you capture motion over time without extra gear. Clouds drifting, shadows crossing a building or a busy street all make good subjects, and the camera handles the sequencing itself.

Files record as MOV or MP4, two familiar container formats. That rounds out a toolset suited to travel clips, family footage and web video.

The 3-inch LCD carries about 1,040,000 dots, enough for judging focus and composition. It responds to touch and flips out, so you can frame from waist height, overhead or around an obstacle, and menus answer quick taps.

A built-in flash handles small indoor scenes and gentle fill light, and the camera also supports an external flash when you need more power.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are both fitted for wireless connection. Neither weather sealing nor GPS is present, so keep the body sheltered from rain and dust, and use a separate method if location records matter.

The Features score of 70, rated good, reflects full marks for the touchscreen, live view and Bluetooth alongside points lost to the absent weather sealing.

Storage runs through a single SD, SDHC or SDXC slot that supports UHS-I cards. The body holds one card at a time, so careful capacity planning and card handling matter on important days.

The LP-E17 battery carries a rating of 600 shots per charge, without a stated test condition. Live view and video work typically draw more power, so plan for fewer shots in those modes.

There is no USB charging, so a spare LP-E17 is a sensible addition for extended shoots. The limited Storage & Battery score of 29 reflects the single slot, the partial battery-life rating and the missing USB charging option.