• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 50.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Sony A77 advantages over Canon 5DS R

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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 GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.27 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.6 fps vs 4.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.6 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Canon 5DS R advantages over Sony A77

  • 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.
  • Less expensive
    $1499* vs $1899
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 0.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,308 vs 801 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 700 vs 530 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More cross-type AF points
    41 vs 11
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • More pixels
    50.6 vs 24.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    61 vs 19
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    28 vs 17 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • 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

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.

  • Phenomenal resolution and sharpness; Fine Detail Picture Style is like in-camera Unsharp Mask; Excellent print quality; Decent high ISO performance; Improved normalized dynamic range compared to 5D Mark III; Decent burst speed with good buffer depths; Built-in intervalometer & timelapse movie mode.

  • AF speed tested closer to consumer-level DSLRs; Dynamic range lower than competing models from Nikon & Sony; Lack of OLPF means subject to more aliasing artifacts with some subjects; No 60p video frame rate; No headphone jack; Timelapse video is only 1080p.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 7D

Sony A77
Canon 7D
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Canon 5DS R
Canon 7D
  • $1729
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Better color depth
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Internal flash
  • Less shutter lag

Compared to Canon 70D

Sony A77
Canon 70D
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Canon 5DS R
Canon 70D
  • $1729
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Sony A77 II

Sony A77
Sony A77 II
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Built-in GPS
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Canon 5DS R
Sony A77 II
  • $1729
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Canon 5DS

Sony A77
Canon 5DS
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Canon 5DS R
Canon 5DS
  • $1729
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Pentax K-1

Sony A77
Pentax K-1
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Canon 5DS R
Pentax K-1
  • $1729
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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