Unlock Your Photography Potential with the Sony SLT-A77 II: A Review of Its Features and Benefits

Discover why the Sony SLT-A77 II is one of the most sought-after cameras on the market today. This blog post explores its various features and benefits, highlighting how it can help professional and amateur photographers alike to achieve high-quality and breathtaking shots.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Sony SLT-A77 II article cover photo

Key Features

May 21 2014

Announced

24 megapixels

Resolution

BrandSony
Sensor TypeAPS-C
SensorCMOS
Weight647g
MSRP$1199USD

Other similar cameras

Overview of the SLT-A77 II

Are you looking for a top-of-the-line camera that can unlock your photography potential? Look no further than the Sony SLT-A77 II. Known for its advanced technology and exceptional image quality, this camera can help you take your photography skills to the next level. Whether you're photographing sports events, wildlife, or landscapes, the Sony SLT-A77 II offers a range of features and benefits that make it a favorite among photographers. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at its standout features, from its fast autofocus system to its impressive ISO range, and explore how it can help you take stunning shots.

Sony SLT-A77 II Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Sony SLT-A77 II camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High-quality images with 24.3 megapixels CMOS sensor
Quick response time with fast autofocus system
Continuous shooting with up to 12 frames per second
Exceptional low-light performance with ISO up to 25600
Tiltable LCD screen for easy visibility
Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity for easy sharing
Durable and weather-resistant body

Cons

Expensive compared to other cameras in its class
Heavier than average, making it less portable
Battery life is lower than other DSLRs in its class
Limited lens options due to Sony's proprietary mount
Auto white balance accuracy can be unreliable
No optical viewfinder, instead uses an electronic viewfinder
Limited video recording capabilities compared to other cameras in the same price range.

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Sony SLT-A77 II

Weather sealed
Dimensions143 x 104 x 81mm
Weight647g
Thickness81mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
This
Max

Weather Sealing

The Sony SLT-A77 II camera is equipped with environmental seals that make it resistant to weather, preventing water and dust from entering the camera. If you enjoy outdoor photography and need a camera that can handle extreme conditions, the SLT-A77 II is an excellent choice.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderElectronic
Screen TypeFully Articulated
Screen Resolution1,229k dots
Body typeMid-size SLR

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fully articulated 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 1,229k dots. This makes the Sony SLT-A77 II very suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you can view yourself while shooting selfies. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

SLT-A77 II includes a electronic viewfinder with 2,359k dots of resolution with a coverage of 100% and a magnification of 0.73x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Sony SLT-A77 II has a 24MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 24 pixels. Sony SLT-A77 II has a native ISO range of 50 - 25600 which can be boosted to null - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

May 21 2014

Announced

50 - 25600

ISO Range

SensorAPS-C
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution6000 x 4000 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

82 / 102

Color Depth

24.4 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

13.4 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

1013 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Sony SLT-A77 II camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain low amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is poor, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the SLT-A77 II is above average

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1.5x

Full frame equivalent

36mm

This camera: APS-C

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Battery Life480 shots
Battery ModelNP-FM500H
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Sony SLT-A77 II supports SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Sony SLT-A77 II uses the NP-FM500H model of battery pack. This is rated for 480 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Sony SLT-A77 II has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. It also offers a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Sony SLT-A77 II boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/8000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Sony SLT-A77 II includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 79 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

View on Amazon

FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Sony SLT-A77 II?

The Sony SLT-A77 II features a CMOS sensor

Is the Sony SLT-A77 II weather sealed?

Yes the SLT-A77 II does have weather sealing.

When was the Sony SLT-A77 II announced?

The Sony SLT-A77 II was announced on May 21 2014

Does the Sony SLT-A77 II have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the SLT-A77 II does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Sony SLT-A77 II?

The SLT-A77 II has a native ISO range of 50-25600, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

View on Amazon

Similar Camera Reviews