Canon EOS
5D Mark II
 vs
Sony SLT
A77

Updated (March, 2012): Compare the Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Sony SLT-A77

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

83
"The original 5D was the first 'affordable' and lightweight full frame camera, and set a standard for low noise at high ISO settings that remains competitive three years later."
dpreview.com | talking about the 5D Mark II's iso-noise
"The 'denser' build and slightly chunkier grip on the EOS 5D Mark II does make it feel that bit more substantial than the EOS 50D, you know there's something special about it from the moment you lift it. That said it's also lighter than an EOS-1D series (obviously) and therefore is more portable for it."
dpreview.com | talking about the 5D Mark II's feel

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Low light performance
 Low noise at high ISO
1,815 ISO
Viewfinder size
 Large viewfinder
0.71x
Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Startup delay
 Almost no delay when powering up
400 ms startup delay
Sensor size
 Large sensor
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
Viewfinder
 Great viewfinder
Pentaprism
Sony SLT-A77

74
Runner-up

Sony SLT A77

Reasons to buy the Sony SLT A77

Color depth
 Great color depth
24 bits
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
13.2 EV
Viewfinder size
 Large viewfinder
0.72x
Image stabilization
 Image stabilization
Sensor shift
True resolution
 High true resolution
24 MP
Light sensitivity
 High ISO
16,000 ISO

differences

Advantages of the Canon 5D Mark II
Low light performance Significantly lower noise at high ISO 1,815 ISO vs 801 ISO
Help
 The 5D Mark II has excellent image quality 1.2 f-stops higher ISO than the SLT A77
Startup delay Much less startup delay 400 ms vs 3100 ms
Help
 7.7x less delay when turning on
Viewfinder Has an optical viewfinder Pentaprism vs Digital
Help
 Optical viewfinders save battery life and are more detailed
Sensor size Much larger sensor Full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs APS-C 23.5x15.6mm
Help
 Around 2.5x larger sensor
Lens availability More lenses available 125 lenses vs 92 lenses
Help
 Around 40% more lenses available
Battery life Longer battery life 850 shots vs 530 shots
Help
 More than 60% more shots per battery charge
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality 79.0 vs 78.0
Help
 Almost the same
Thickness Thinner 3" vs 3.2"
Help
 Around 10% thinner
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Learn more about
the Canon 5D Mark II

Advantages of the Sony SLT A77
Image stabilization Image stabilization Sensor shift vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Continuous shooting Shoots much faster 12 fps vs 3.9 fps
Help
 More than 3x faster continuous shooting
Autofocus Video autofocus Phase detection vs None
Help
 Automatically focuses shooting video
Dynamic range More dynamic range 13.2 EV vs 11.9 EV
Help
 1.3 f-stops more dynamic range
Panorama Can create panoramas in-camera Yes vs No
Help
 Stitches together multiple photos for a wide perspective
3D Takes 3D photos Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple photos into a 3D image
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen Yes vs No
Help
 Flip-out screens can be helpful when composing tricky shots or taking movies
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
GPS Has a GPS Yes vs No
Help
 Automatically geotags your photos when traveling
Shutter lag Less shutter lag 124 ms vs 206 ms
Help
 Around 40% less delay when taking photos
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 16,000 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
 The SLT A77's maximum light sensitivity is 1.3 f-stops better
Cross type focus points More cross-type focus points 11 vs 1
Help
 Grab focus in difficult situations
True resolution Higher true resolution 24 MP vs 21 MP
Help
 Capture more than 10% more detail in your photos
Focus points More focus points 19 vs 9
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Color depth Better color depth 24 bits vs 23.7 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.3 more bits of color
Viewfinder coverage Better viewfinder coverage 100% vs 98%
Help
 Almost the same
Built-in flash Built-in flash Yes vs No
Help
 A built-in flash is useful for taking indoor shots where there is little light
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder 0.72x vs 0.71x
Help
 Almost the same
Size Slightly smaller 143x104x81 mm vs 152x114x75 mm
Help
 Around 10% smaller
Weight Lighter 732 g vs 850 g
Help
 More than 10% lighter
Lowest price Slightly cheaper $1,398.00 vs $2,198.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $800 cheaper (around 40% less)
Sony SLT-A77 Learn more about
the Sony SLT A77
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent pro DSLRs, and ignoring price

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Canon EOS 5D Mark II
83 vs 74
Explain scores
Sony SLT A77 Sony SLT-A77
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Canon EOS 5D Mark II.

advice

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2
votes
by Char-Sevig last month
Canon 50D vs Canon 5D Mark II

I currently have a canon xsi, with several lenses. A canon 70-200mm f/4 L ,55-250mm, 50mm 1.8 ,18-...

One person recommends the Canon 5D Mark II:

"I recently upgraded from the XSi to the 5D Mark II and couldn't be happier. As I'm sure you know, ..."
0
votes
by Poti-Jouseevis-Potgieter last month
Canon 600D vs Canon 5D Mark II

beginner at taking fotos and want to take the perfect pictures

3 people recommend the Canon 600D:

" If you are a "beginner at taking fotos and want to take the perfect pictures" I would recommend ..."

" If you are completely new to DSLR photography then having a 5D2 will give you a very steep learn..."

" The 5D Mark II is a far superior camera to the 600D.  But if you're going to be doing sport and ..."
0
votes
by Kostas-Nomikos last month
Canon 600D vs Canon 5D Mark II

Which is better for video shooting?
-1
votes
by Giovanni-Casta-n-Jim-nez last month
Canon EOS-1D Mark III vs Sony SLT A77

Which camera is better for me the Canon EOS-1D Mark III or the Sony SLT A77?
0
votes
by Sunny-Raja last month
Sony SLT A77 vs Sony SLT-A55

I shoot in wide angle and panorama. Currently, I have Sony Alpha 200 with many Sony lenses, inc...

One person recommends the Sony SLT A77:

" Hi Sunny-Raja, We upgraded from the Sony A55 to the Sony A77. Huge difference in photo qualit..."

similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Overall image quality Good image quality Help
5D Mark II:79.0
SLT A77:78.0
Color depth Good color depth Help
5D Mark II:23.7 bits
SLT A77:24 bits
Viewfinder size Above average viewfinder size Help
5D Mark II:0.71x
SLT A77:0.72x
Weather sealed Weather sealed Help
Shoot in extreme weather
True resolution Capture very high resolution images Help
5D Mark II:21 MP
SLT A77:24 MP
Supports 24p 24p support Help
For that film look
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/8000 of a second
Storage slots Fewer storage slots Help
1

Compared to recent pro DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Size Fairly small Help
5D Mark II:152x114x75 mm
SLT A77:143x104x81 mm
Supports RAW Supports RAW Help
Better editing
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
5D Mark II:$2,198.00
SLT A77:$1,398.00
Weight Light weight Help
5D Mark II:850 g
SLT A77:732 g
Light sensitivity (boost) Poor boost ISO Help
25,600 ISO
Focus points Few focus points Help
5D Mark II:9
SLT A77:19
Cross type focus points Few cross-type focus points Help
5D Mark II:1
SLT A77:11
Battery life Few shots per battery charge Help
5D Mark II:850 shots
SLT A77:530 shots
Screen size Very small screens Help
3.0"

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EOS 7D

Canon EOS 7D

Pro DSLR

$1,549 - $1,821 body only

$1,500 - $1,849 with 18-135mm lens
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available
Cross type focus points Has slightly more cross-type focus points
True resolution Takes slightly lower resolution photos
Viewfinder size Slightly smaller viewfinder
Compare the EOS 7D vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the EOS 7D vs the SLT A77
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 - $1,197 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available
Focus points Has slightly more focus points
Shutter lag Has significantly more shutter lag
True resolution Takes slightly lower resolution photos
Compare the D7000 vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the D7000 vs the SLT A77
Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Pro DSLR

$3,499 - $3,500 body only

$4,299 - $4,300 with 24-105mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Screen size Has a significantly larger screen
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the EOS 5D Mark III vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the EOS 5D Mark III vs the SLT A77
Nikon D700

Nikon D700

Pro DSLR

$2,199 body only
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Focus points Has significantly more focus points
Weight Is significantly heavier
Viewfinder coverage Slightly less viewfinder coverage
Compare the D700 vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the D700 vs the SLT A77
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$848 - $1,304 body only

$1,177 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available
Thickness Is thicker
Viewfinder coverage Slightly less viewfinder coverage
Compare the EOS 60D vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the EOS 60D vs the SLT A77
Nikon D800

Nikon D800

Pro DSLR

$2,999 - $3,000 body only
Low light performance Is significantly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D800 vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the D800 vs the SLT A77
Pentax K-5

Pentax K-5

Entry-level DSLR

$890 - $1,129 body only

$1,033 - $1,283 with 18-55mm lens
Size Is slightly smaller
True resolution Takes slightly lower resolution photos
Supports 24p Doesn't record movies in 24p
Compare the K-5 vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the K-5 vs the SLT A77

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon EOS 5D Mark II.

Sony SLT-A77 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony SLT-A65

Sony SLT A65

Entry-level DSLR

$898 body only

$998 with 18-55mm lens
Size Smaller
Weight Lighter
Weather sealed No weather sealing
Overall image quality Worse image quality
Compare the SLT A65 vs the SLT A77
Sony SLT A57

Sony SLT A57

Entry-level DSLR

$698 - $700 body only

$798 - $800 with 18-55mm lens
Size Smaller
Weight Lighter
Weather sealed No weather sealing
True resolution Significantly lower true resolution
Compare the SLT A57 vs the SLT A77

appearance

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Sony SLT-A77
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Sony SLT-A77
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Sony SLT-A77

discussion

Showing 5 comments

Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (2:36 PM, February 15, 2012)
Hey IWilliams
You are right the viewfinder magnification is 1.1x. Snapsort takes the cameras crop factor into account when calculating the cameras real viewfinder size, this way you can compare cameras with different sensor sizes. Check our out article on viewfinder size if you want to know more.
 
Iwilliams (4:03 AM, February 15, 2012)
You have the wrong viewfinder size for the a77.  It is 1.09x, not 0.72x.  That makes it MUCH bigger than the 0.72x viewfinder size of the 5D MkII.  See this site for verification:  http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonyslta77/page2.asp
 
Terry (1:30 AM, November 30, 2011)
Haha doesnt mean much to me use the camera go take pictures that is what matters.
 
Jimmy (3:43 AM, September 28, 2011)
lol you are funny. 
 
Derkjlerl (2:42 AM, September 28, 2011)
Seriously? 1 stop better? Looking at the DPreview tests (which post ACTUAL pictures backing up their claims) I see slightly over 2 stops. Not to mention a ridiculous difference in IQ. Even when compared to a 50D, this camera can not compare in sharpness.

Think I'm being a fanboy? Check it for yourself.