- Conclusion Get the lowdown
- Features How it compares
- Performance Real world benchmarks
- Differences Technical showdown
- Reviews Word on the street
- Competition Others to consider
- Discussion Answers and opinions
Sony SLT A77
- 24 MP
- APS-C CMOS
- 3" LCD
#2 in 2011 DSLRs
Released August, 2011
Rated 82% by by c|net (Jan, 2012)Overall, the SLT-A77V delivers a solid noise profile for its class, and generally excellent photo and video.
Conclusion Check out the Sony SLT A77
First reviewed December, 2011
Features Key features of the Sony SLT A77
24 MP
APS-C
Rated 82% by by c|net (Jan, 2012)And of course the photo quality and performance are what they need to be for its price class, with the bonus of really nice video.
megapixels
| 0 MP | 24 MP    | 40 MP |
SLT A77 by Photography Blog (Dec, 2011)The Sony A77 can shoot full-resolution 24.3 megapixel pictures at up to 12fps whilst maintaining continuous auto focus and auto exposure, an impressively fast rate for such a relatively inexpensive camera.
SLT A77 by zemesIn reality, a clean 12 megapixel photograph is capable of producing excellent poster size pictures.
sensor size
SLT A77 by David-Pierce (Apr, 2012)The A77 uses the exact same 24.3-megapixel APS-C sensor as the NEX-7, and to similar effect: its photos look fantastic.
viewfinder size
SLT A77 by David-Pierce (Apr, 2012)Colors are accurate and clear (even though they don't always look it in the viewfinder), and details are remarkably well-produced — even shadows and reflections in windows came out crystal clear.
SLT A77 by a4w (Oct, 2011)Nice interface (most of the options are really close to hand - and because of the EVF you don't even have to take your eye away from the viewfinder).
body size
143 x 104 x 81 mm
156 x 117 x 82 mm
146 x 123 x 82 mm
SLT A77 by G.-Perez--Always-having-fun (May, 2012)So I decided to take my camera to the photo department to get a professional opinion on this camera, their first reaction was "Oh, it's a Sony camera, they haven't been in the game for so long" So after checking weight, grip, features and all the stuff photographers check for in a camera, the verdict was, they loved it!
focus points
| 0 | 51  | 60 |
SLT A77 by Photography Blog (Dec, 2011)The shutter-release has a definite half-way point, with the focus points (a choice of 19 with with 11 cross sensors to maximize precision for both vertical and horizontal subjects) rapidly illuminating green in the viewfinder and a confirmation bleep signaling that focus and exposure has been determined and the user is free to go on and take the shot.
Performance Real world tests of Sony SLT A77
DxOMark image quality
SLT A77 by Jonathan (May, 2013)I was concerned about the low light capability of the A77 and the ease of use for a beginner so I came very close to purchasing the 6D.
SLT A77 by PA-PA-Jossey (Nov, 2011)I first test all my cameras in low light conditions because I love using natural light for most of my photo's when I can.
DxOMark low light performance
SLT A77 by Lucio-Reiner (Sep, 2012)In low light the quality of the image is far from accurate and you better switch to the main viewer.
SLT A77 by Savi (Nov, 2011)Although the NEX cameras have amazing low light capabilities, I just love the strobists' style of photography.
shutter lag
| 0 ms | 260 ms   | 200 ms |
SLT A77 by David-Pierce (Apr, 2012)The shutter lag is so low that I actually had trouble only capturing one frame if I was in a continuous shooting mode — by the time I’d pressed and released the shutter, I’d taken more like three or four frames.
SLT A77 by Photography Blog (Dec, 2011)With an imperceptible shutter delay, a full resolution JPEG is committed to memory in just over a second in single shot mode, a RAW file in three.
continuous shooting
SLT A77 by Joe-Stealthmode (Nov, 2011)I've checked timestamps and have a couple of bursts that were 12 per second.
battery life
530 photos
1,050 photos
950 photos
SLT A77 by Photography Blog (Dec, 2011)On the bottom of the camera is a compartment for the lithium-ion battery that supplies an impressive life-span of 470 images with the viewfinder or 530 images in Live View mode, plus a metal tripod socket that's in-line with the centre of the lens mount.
SLT A77 by Lucio-Reiner (Sep, 2012)Battery life, is good, up to 300 to 400 shots each, so, the reviews that criticize it are not accurate.
Our analysis How does it stack up against its top 10 competitors
pros
-
Phase detection focusing system -
HD video -
Sensor shift -
Generic -
Create 3D photos to view on a 3D TV -
Gives you more flexibility when framing your shot -
12 fps -
Great for recording movies -
Stitches together multiple photos into a single ultra-wide view -
Translucent -
Records the location of your photos automatically -
124 ms -
Built in flash -
24 MP -
13.2 ev -
Combines multiple photos together to capture both bright and dark areas -
2,400 k dots -
732 g -
Preview photos before you take them -
143 x 104 x 81 mm
cons
-
APS-C -
3,100 ms -
801 ISO -
530 -
25,600 ISO -
0 -
87.05%
Reviews Word on the street
 |  
|
|---|---|
 |
|
 | 
|
 | Rated by 112 users at amazon.com Rated 100% by by Anthony-Kosobud--Anthony-Kosobud Rated 100% by by Anthony-Kosobud--Anthony-Kosobud Rated 100% by by David-Barham (Feb, 2012) |
Lens
Sony SLT A77 | Rated 100% by by deirdrebardowl (Feb, 2013)I've ran this camera through the gambit of lenses I've collected over the years and from my 1.8/50 to my 55-200 all images are crisp and crystal clear.
Sony SLT A77 | Rated 73% by by David-Pierce (Apr, 2012)Sony has good lenses — I tested the A77 with a 50mm f/1.4 macro lens and a 70-300mm f/4.5 zoom, and liked both — but they’re expensive, and there aren’t nearly as many available as you’d get with Nikon or Canon.
Sony SLT A77 | Rated 100% by by Jonathan (May, 2013)This lens is very small and light so I won't look like ESPN at my 8 year olds games.
Sensor
Sony SLT A77 | Rated 100% by by Personne (May, 2012)The excellent Photoshop Raw Converter can work wonders, but you have to consider why you need to be at ISO 6400.
Sony SLT A77 | Rated 40% by by rbtk (Oct, 2012)Daytime pics are great - Low ISO pics are wonderful with high detail and great color.
Sony SLT A77 | Rated 100% by by A.-Pardo (Jan, 2012)You can safely shoot with plenty of details up to ISO1600 or even a little more, but don't expect to be using ISO12,800 all the time.
Viewfinder
Sony SLT A77 | Rated 100% by by David-L.-Griffin (Feb, 2012)After reading some reviews I was a little concerned about the EVF but am truly amazed at Sony's implementation of the new technology.
Sony SLT A77 | Rated 100% by by S.-Loos (Feb, 2013)I love the EVF as other reviewers have commented and all of the extra features that come with the camera.
Sony SLT A77 | Rated 100% by by RobI've seen so many reviews talking about the weaknesses of electronic viewfinders in comparison to optical viewfinders, but they fail to mention the weaknesses of optical viewfinders.
Screen
Sony SLT A77 | Rated 73% by by David-Pierce (Apr, 2012)The big half-inch display is filled with 2.4 million dots, offers 100 percent frame coverage, and is really sharp and clear.
Sony SLT A77 | Rated 100% by by Jody--bigdumptruckdotcom (May, 2012)I like the swivel screen - it worked extremely well under cloudy conditions (will update if I run into trouble in full sun).
Sony SLT A77 | Rated 100% by by Triquetrax3 (Oct, 2012)The tripod works great, I wish it was a bit taller, but it has amazing swivel and tilt.
Focus
Sony SLT A77 | Rated 100% by by Photography Blog (Dec, 2011)In addition to continuous AF and manual, the selected AF Area can be changed within the frame to easily create the professional "rack focus" effect, where the focus moves between the background and foreground subjects.
Sony SLT A77 | Rated 82% by by c|net (Jan, 2012)For instance, you can perform exposure bracketing in either a continuous burst or shot-by-shot, with up to a five-shot bracket.
Sony SLT A77 | Rated 100% by by a4w (Oct, 2011)So far, of the couple of thousand shots - its performance is great... Love the focus peaking (shows you what is in focus with a hi-light color) - its great for tweaking the focus.
Competition What else you should consider
 | 1 | Sony SLT A65 2-way tie: Automatic panorama A65 vs A77 |
 | 2 | Nikon D7000 Most shots per battery charge Nikon D7000 vs Sony SLT A77 |
 | 3 | Nikon D600 Least noise at high ISO Nikon D600 vs Sony SLT A77 |
 | 4 | Nikon D800 Best image quality as rated by DXOMark Nikon D800 vs Sony SLT A77 |
 | 5 | Nikon D5200 Smallest Nikon D5200 vs Sony SLT A77 |
 | 6 | Nikon D7100 Highest resolution screen Nikon D7100 vs Sony SLT A77 |
 | 7 | Sony DSLR-A900 OK viewfinder DSLR-A900 vs SLT A77 |
 | 8 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 Most detailed video recording mode Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 vs Sony SLT A77 |
New duel?
Let the battle continue or dare to compare.
Popular Questions
August 7, 2012
Mainly film, movies, low light, action, drama, short and rain shots
Im not a beginner nor an expert, I am looking for a camera to bring my imagination to life and to achieve that cinematic and film look without the grain and noise, I shoot a lot of lowlight and I...
Visitor
18
Answers July 13, 2012
What to do, what to do?
I've been shooting with Nikon for most of my time as a military photographer. I am issued the Nikon d300s body but am looking to start getting my own equipment. I have gotten really used to the...
Intermediate I
9
Answers May 28, 2012
Beautiful High colour and contrast images
Hey there, i am an ameture photographer, taking photos of models, cars and nature mainly. Im currently using a Sony A550 with a 50mm Carl Ziess len. I like the layout of the Sony, but i feel that...
Visitor
7
Answers Latest Questions
October 17, 2012
Looking for advice on next camera after a580
I'm currently using a Sony Alpha a580, but it's getting a bit tatty now, so I'm looking for a replacement. My photography (hobbyist/academic) is mostly made up of insect (macro), wildlife, and...
Beginner II
3
Answers May 21, 2012
I am a nature photographer, wildlife to macro
I am an expert, more than 20 years of experience shooting mostly nature, a few weddings and portraits. Currently I own four digital cameras, two DSLR's and the others are point and shoot. I also...
Visitor
1
Answers October 17, 2012
What is the best camera for me, for low light videos (w/ manual mode)
I'm going to study in film making. I do a lot of videos. I already have a Sony a35 with the stock lens and a 50mm f/1.4 I want the best camera for me... (the screen doesn't really mater since...
Visitor
1
Answers Unanswered Questions
- 15 discussions
- View more
January 14, 2013
Semi-pro indoor shooting for work AND taking away on vacation
I have been going back and forth for months on these two as I require a decent camera for both work and taking away on vacation. Ultimately I need a camera which is weather sealed as I will be it...
Visitor
0
Answers January 13, 2013
Safari pictures
I am not a professional but want to get high quality pictures while on our safari. which one is worth the investment?
Visitor
0
Answers January 9, 2013
Film/Video
I am a beginner film student and cannot make up my mind between Cannon Rebel T4i and Sony A65, or Sony A77 please help!
Visitor
0
Answers Community Find out what the Sortable community is saying about the Sony SLT A77
41
people have recommended the
Sony SLT A77Top Sony SLT A77 experts at Sortable
Darren-G-Leary 
Beginner II
Ismael-Zubairu-Adams1 
Beginner II
Diego-Tony-Silva 
Intermediate II
Juan-Delgado 
Beginner II
Nikon D7000
- 16.1 MP
- APS-C CMOS
- 3" LCD
9 more Sortable users recommended the Nikon D7000 over the Sony SLT A77.
View all discussions | View comparison 
Intermediate III
3
votes Hi Kyle, these are both awesome cameras. Personally I love Nikon, but Sony is doing a better job at adding new fun features to their cameras, I think the Sony would suit you well. At a high level...
- 0 comments
- April 5, 2012
- Reply to: Kids, family and motocross.
Beginner II
0
votes Both are really great, you have to decide what is most important for you. If battery time is important then one point goes to Nikon, ect. Either way, go to a store where you can test both of...
- 0 comments
- April 17, 2012
- Reply to: Interior shots, significant light contrast.
Beginner I
-2
votes This is the exact problem I am having. love my a580 but looking to upgrade. I am struggling between the a99 and the a77
- 0 comments
- October 29, 2012
- Reply to: Looking for advice on next camera after a580
Canon EOS 650D
- 17.9 MP
- APS-C CMOS
- 3" LCD
4 more Sortable users recommended the Canon EOS 650D over the Sony SLT A77.
View all discussions | View comparison Beginner II
4
votes A65 giving the fact that you want to bring your imagination to life well the a77 gives you color options with out the use of photoshop plus the video capabilities of using Video Mode : - - -...
- 0 comments
- August 19, 2012
- Reply to: Mainly film, movies, low light, action, drama, short and rain shots
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
- 21 MP
- Full frame CMOS
- 3" LCD
2 more Sortable users recommended the Sony SLT A77 over the Canon EOS 5D Mark II.
View all discussions | View comparison 
Beginner II
2
votes If you are upgrading from another Sony, buy the a77. I upgraded to an a77 from an a300, all of my lenses are interchangeable, (including Tamron, because all of the stabilization is in-camera, of...
- 0 comments
- July 22, 2012
- Reply to: Beautiful High colour and contrast images
