• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony A77 advantages over Olympus TG-5

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    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
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.95 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 1.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 530 vs 340 shots
    Capture more photos
  • 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 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus TG-5 advantages over Sony A77

  • Less expensive
    $299* vs $1899
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Thinner
    31 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    7 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 11.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    20.0 fps vs 11.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in GPS
    Both provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A77

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus TG-5

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.

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
Olympus TG-5
Canon 7D
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Canon 70D

Sony A77
Canon 70D
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Olympus TG-5
Canon 70D
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony A77 II

Sony A77
Sony A77 II
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Built-in GPS
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Olympus TG-5
Sony A77 II
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Olympus TG-4

Sony A77
Olympus TG-4
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $379
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
Olympus TG-5
Olympus TG-4
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $379
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More pixels

Compared to Olympus TG-6

Sony A77
Olympus TG-6
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
Olympus TG-5
Olympus TG-6
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More dots on screen
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