Sony A77 II vs Olympus E-PL7

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Sony A77 II vs Olympus E-PL7

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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.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-PL7 Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-PL7 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-PL7.
Compare Olympus E-PL7 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-PL7 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Olympus E-PL8
Compare E-PL7 vs E-PL8
Compare Sony A77 II vs Olympus E-PL8

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Differences

Sony A77 II advantages over Olympus E-PL7

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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

480 vs 350 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
More pixels
24.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 28 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Faster JPEG shooting
11.5 fps vs 8.7 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
12.0 fps vs 8.7 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
28 vs 17 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-PL7 advantages over Sony A77 II

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 0.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Thinner
38 mm vs 80 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
469g vs 1351g
Lighter weight
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
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

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Adorama
Read A77 II User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-PL7 User Reviews

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Body Only
Kit with 16-50mm Lens

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Buy the Olympus E-PL7

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 14-42mm Lens

All E-PL7 Deals

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 for its class including very good ISO performance; Improved performance and ergonomics over the E-PL5; LCD tilts 180 degree downward for easier selfies; Upgraded 3-axis IS system.
No built-in flash (but a small add-on flash is included); No built-in EVF; Default colors somewhat muted; Somewhat quirky menu system.
Read our Olympus E-PL7 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL5

Sony A77 II

Olympus E-PL5

$1198
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$329
4/3

Lens selection
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A77 II vs Olympus E-PL5

Olympus E-PL7

Olympus E-PL5

$399
4/3

Focus peaking
Fast startup

$329
4/3

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Olympus E-PL5

Compared to Panasonic GF6

Sony A77 II

Panasonic GF6

$1198
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$400
4/3

Lens selection
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A77 II vs Panasonic GF6

Olympus E-PL7

Panasonic GF6

$399
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$400
4/3

In-camera panoramas
NFC

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic GF6

Compared to Canon 70D

Sony A77 II

Canon 70D

$1198
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1149
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A77 II vs Canon 70D

Olympus E-PL7

Canon 70D

$399
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1149
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Canon 70D

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

Olympus E-PL7

Canon 7D Mark II

$399
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1597
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Canon 7D Mark II

Compared to Nikon D7200

Sony A77 II

Nikon D7200

$1198
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$1016
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A77 II vs Nikon D7200

Olympus E-PL7

Nikon D7200

$399
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1016
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Nikon D7200

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