Sony A77 II vs Canon 1DX Mark II

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Sony A77 II vs Canon 1DX Mark II

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APS-C 366.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A77 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A77 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A77 II.
Compare Sony A77 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A77 II conclusion.

35mm 864.0mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Canon 1DX Mark II Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 1DX Mark II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 1DX Mark II.
Compare Canon 1DX Mark II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 1DX Mark II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon 1DX Mark III
Compare 1DX Mark II vs 1DX Mark III
Compare Sony A77 II vs Canon 1DX Mark III

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Differences

Sony A77 II advantages over Canon 1DX Mark II

Less expensive
$1798 vs $2999*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More pixels
24.3 vs 20.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos

Canon 1DX Mark II advantages over Sony A77 II

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.58 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1210 vs 480 shots
Capture more photos
More cross-type AF points
41 vs 15
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
More dots on screen
1620k vs 1230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
14.0 fps vs 11.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 26 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
14.1 fps vs 12.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
Unlimited vs 28 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
409600 vs 51200 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
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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 Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A77 II User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality, especially lower ISOs; Improved high ISO performance when using RAW; Very good dynamic range; High-resolution images; Very fast single-shot autofocus; 12fps burst mode with C-AF; Good value for its class.
Lackluster continuous AF performance; Strong NR processing in high ISO JPEGs; Sluggish buffer clearing; Short battery life compared to most DSLRs; Joystick control easy to press accidentally.
Read our Sony A77 II Review

Excellent image quality, especially from RAWs; Fantastic high ISO performance; Fast autofocus with great tracking performance; 14fps burst rate; Amazing buffer capacity; 4K 60p video; Robust build quality.
Very heavy, bulky and expensive; Dual memory card slots use different formats; 29:59 continuous video recording limit; Touchscreen feels underutilized.
Read our Canon 1DX Mark II Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 70D

Sony A77 II

Canon 70D

$1198
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A77 II vs Canon 70D

Canon 1DX Mark II

Canon 70D

$2999
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 1DX Mark II vs Canon 70D

Compared to Nikon D4S

Sony A77 II

Nikon D4S

$1198
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$5399
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Sony A77 II vs Nikon D4S

Canon 1DX Mark II

Nikon D4S

$2999
35mm

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$5399
35mm

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon 1DX Mark II vs Nikon D4S

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Sony A77 II

Canon 7D Mark II

$1198
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$1597
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A77 II vs Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 1DX Mark II

Canon 7D Mark II

$2999
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1597
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Canon 1DX Mark II vs Canon 7D Mark II

Compared to Nikon D7200

Sony A77 II

Nikon D7200

$1198
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$1097
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A77 II vs Nikon D7200

Canon 1DX Mark II

Nikon D7200

$2999
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1097
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Canon 1DX Mark II vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Nikon D5

Sony A77 II

Nikon D5

$1198
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$4911
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Sony A77 II vs Nikon D5

Canon 1DX Mark II

Nikon D5

$2999
35mm

Higher effective ISO
Built-in GPS

$4911
35mm

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon 1DX Mark II vs Nikon D5

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