• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony A77 advantages over Olympus E-M5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 1.1 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 360 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 205k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.28 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.73x vs 0.58x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.6 fps vs 8.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.6 fps vs 9.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus E-M5 advantages over Sony A77

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $1300 vs $2000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • More telephoto lens reach
    100 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Thinner
    43 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    652g vs 1363g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 16000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • 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

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A77

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M5

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.

  • Attractive body design; Well-built, weather-sealed body; Excellent image quality; Excellent image stabilization; Very fast autofocus.

  • Exposure compensation dial changes easily; Small buttons; No in-camera chromatic aberration correction; Bundled flash is weak; Video compression artifacts with rapidly-moving subjects.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Sony A77
Olympus E-M1
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
Olympus E-M5
Olympus E-M1
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon 7D

Sony A77
Canon 7D
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Olympus E-M5
Canon 7D
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup

Compared to Panasonic G3

Sony A77
Panasonic G3
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Olympus E-M5
Panasonic G3
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compared to Canon 70D

Sony A77
Canon 70D
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
Olympus E-M5
Canon 70D
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Sony A77
Panasonic GX7
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Olympus E-M5
Panasonic GX7
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
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