• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Sony A77 advantages over Nikon D3300

  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More cross-type AF points
    11 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.26 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.73x vs 0.57x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More AF points
    19 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.6 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.6 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    14 vs 7 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D3300 advantages over Sony A77

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $16 vs $1899
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 0.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,385 vs 801 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 700 vs 530 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Lighter weight
    662g vs 1363g
    Lighter weight
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 17 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • 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 panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • 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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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A77

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D3300

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.

  • Excellent image quality with lots of fine detail; Very good high ISO performance; Good dynamic range; Good print quality; Deep buffers with JPEGs; 1080/60p video; Uncompressed HDMI output.

  • AF struggles in low-light; Contrast-detect AF in live view is slow; Buffer depth is shallow with RAW files; No AE bracketing; No built-in Wi-Fi.

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
Nikon D3300
Canon 7D
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Top deck display

Compared to Nikon D3200

Sony A77
Nikon D3200
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Nikon D3300
Nikon D3200
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • Bigger RAW buffer

Compared to Canon 70D

Sony A77
Canon 70D
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Nikon D3300
Canon 70D
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Canon T5

Sony A77
Canon T5
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $399
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Nikon D3300
Canon T5
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $399
  • APS-C
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Sony A77 II

Sony A77
Sony A77 II
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Built-in GPS
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Nikon D3300
Sony A77 II
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
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