• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony A77 advantages over Panasonic GF7

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 1.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 530 vs 230 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    75 mm vs 64 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • 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
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/50 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.24 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    17 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Panasonic GF7 advantages over Sony A77

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $2000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    342g vs 1363g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 16000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • 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 Panasonic GF7

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.

  • Very good image quality for its size; Fast AF for its class; 10fps burst mode with electronic shutter; Lightweight, yet well-built, compact design; Great value for the money.

  • Continuous AF is not reliable; Shallow buffer with RAW; Below average battery life; No EVF; Maximum mechanical shutter speed of only 1/500s.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 7D

Sony A77
Canon 7D
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Panasonic GF7
Canon 7D
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $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
  • Touchscreen
Panasonic GF7
Canon 70D
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • 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
Panasonic GF7
Sony A77 II
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Sony A77
Panasonic GM5
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Panasonic GF7
Panasonic GM5
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Panasonic GX850

Sony A77
Panasonic GX850
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Panasonic GF7
Panasonic GX850
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
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