Canon EOS
7D
 vs
Sony SLT
A77

Canon EOS 7D

73

  
Sony SLT-A77

72

  

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 7D

Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Continuous shooting
 Rapid fire
8 fps
Startup delay
 Almost no delay when powering up
400 ms startup delay
Shutter lag
 Barely any delay taking photos
131 ms shutter lag
Cross type focus points
 Many cross-type focus points
19
Viewfinder coverage
 Great viewfinder coverage
100%
 

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
Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
 

differences

Advantages of the Canon 7D
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
Lens availability Much more lenses available 162 lenses vs 92 lenses
Help
 Around 80% more lenses available
Cross type focus points More cross-type focus points 19 vs 11
Help
 Grab focus in difficult situations
Battery life Longer battery life 800 shots vs 530 shots
Help
 More than 50% more shots per battery charge
Thickness Significantly thinner 2.9" vs 3.2"
Help
 Around 10% thinner
Canon EOS 7D Learn more about
the Canon 7D

Advantages of the Sony SLT A77
Overall image quality Significantly better image quality 78.0 vs 66.0
Help
 Around 20% better image quality
Color depth Better color depth 24 bits vs 22 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 2 more bits of color
Dynamic range More dynamic range 13.2 EV vs 11.7 EV
Help
 1.5 f-stops more dynamic range
Autofocus Video autofocus Phase detection vs None
Help
 Automatically focuses shooting video
Image stabilization Image stabilization Sensor shift vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
3D Takes 3D photos Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple photos into a 3D image
Panorama Can create panoramas in-camera Yes vs No
Help
 Stitches together multiple photos for a wide perspective
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
Viewfinder size Larger viewfinder 0.72x vs 0.62x
Help
 More than 30% larger viewfinder
True resolution Significantly higher true resolution 24 MP vs 17.9 MP
Help
 Capture more than 30% more detail in your photos
Continuous shooting Shoots significantly faster 12 fps vs 8 fps
Help
 50% faster continuous shooting
GPS Has a GPS Yes vs No
Help
 Automatically geotags your photos when traveling
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
Sensor size Slightly larger sensor APS-C 23.5x15.6mm vs APS-C 22.3x14.9mm
Help
 More than 10% larger sensor
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 25,600 ISO vs 12,800 ISO
Help
 The SLT A77's boost ISO is 1 f-stop better
Weight Lighter 732 g vs 860 g
Help
 More than 10% lighter
Lowest price Slightly cheaper $998.00 vs $1,499.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $501 cheaper (more than 30% 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 7D Canon EOS 7D
73 vs 72
Explain scores
Sony SLT A77 Sony SLT-A77
Green arrow Too close to call! Snapsort considers these cameras too competitive to make a clear recommendation.

similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Weather sealed Weather sealed Help
Shoot in extreme weather
Shutter lag Minimal shutter lag Help
7D:131 ms
SLT A77:124 ms
Viewfinder coverage Above average viewfinder coverage Help
100%
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/8000 of a second
Built-in flash Each has a built-in flash Help
External flash not needed
Storage slots Fewer storage slots Help
1
Sensor size Very small sensors Help
7D:APS-C 22.3x14.9mm
SLT A77:APS-C 23.5x15.6mm
Low light performance Above average noise at high ISO Help
7D:854 ISO
SLT A77:801 ISO

Compared to recent pro DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Size Fairly small Help
7D:148x111x74 mm
SLT A77:143x104x81 mm
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
7D:$1,499.00
SLT A77:$998.00
Light sensitivity (boost) Poor boost ISO Help
7D:12,800 ISO
SLT A77:25,600 ISO
Focus points Few focus points Help
19
Battery life Few shots per battery charge Help
7D:800 shots
SLT A77:530 shots
Screen size Very small screens Help
3.0"
Overall image quality Low image quality Help
7D:66.0
SLT A77:78.0

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$699 - $899 body only

$999 - $1,279 with 18-135mm lens
Screen resolution Has a slightly higher resolution screen
Battery life Has a slightly longer battery life
Thickness Is thicker
Viewfinder coverage Significantly less viewfinder coverage
Compare the EOS 60D vs the EOS 7D
Compare the EOS 60D vs the SLT A77
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$997 with 18-105mm lens
Battery life Has a slightly longer battery life
Focus points Has slightly more focus points
Thickness Is thicker
Shutter lag Has significantly more shutter lag
Compare the D7000 vs the EOS 7D
Compare the D7000 vs the SLT A77
Canon EOS 6D

Canon EOS 6D

Pro DSLR

$1,999 body only

$2,599 with 24-105mm lens
Low light performance Is significantly less noisy at high ISO
Screen resolution Has a slightly higher resolution screen
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Built-in flash Doesn't have a built-in flash
Compare the EOS 6D vs the EOS 7D
Compare the EOS 6D vs the SLT A77
Nikon D7100

Nikon D7100

Entry-level DSLR

$1,197 body only

$1,497 with 18-105mm lens
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Screen size Has a significantly larger screen
Continuous shooting Doesn't shoot as fast continuously
Compare the D7100 vs the EOS 7D
Compare the D7100 vs the SLT A77
Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Pro DSLR

$2,479 body only

$2,699 - $3,000 with 24-105mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Sensor size Has a significantly larger sensor
Built-in flash Doesn't have a built-in flash
Viewfinder coverage Slightly less viewfinder coverage
Compare the EOS 5D Mark II vs the EOS 7D
Compare the EOS 5D Mark II vs the SLT A77
Canon 650D / T4i

Canon Rebel T4i

Entry-level DSLR

$649 - $800 body only

$719 - $749 with 18-55mm lens
Screen resolution Has a slightly higher resolution screen
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the Rebel T4i vs the EOS 7D
Compare the Rebel T4i vs the SLT A77
Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Pro DSLR

$3,250 - $3,499 body only

$3,800 - $4,099 with 24-105mm lens
Low light performance Is significantly less noisy at high ISO
Screen size Has a significantly larger screen
Built-in flash Doesn't have a built-in flash
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Compare the EOS 5D Mark III vs the EOS 7D
Compare the EOS 5D Mark III vs the SLT A77

Canon EOS 7D Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon EOS 7D.

Sony SLT-A77 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony SLT-A65

Sony SLT A65

Entry-level DSLR

$587 - $698 body only

$798 - $1,005 with 18-55mm lens
Startup delay Less startup delay
Size Smaller
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

$460 - $499 body only

$519 - $539 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
Sony SLT-A99

Sony SLT-A99

Pro DSLR

$2,798 body only

$3,196 - $3,198 with 28-75mm lens
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO
Overall image quality Better image quality
3D Doesn't take 3D photos
Continuous shooting Shoots significantly slower
Compare the SLT-A99 vs the SLT A77

appearance

Canon EOS 7D Sony SLT-A77
Canon EOS 7D Sony SLT-A77
Canon EOS 7D Sony SLT-A77

discussion

Showing 23 comments

pratik dikode (1:15 PM, January 29, 2013)
just use 550d camera and check the result
 
pratik dikode (1:14 PM, January 29, 2013)
compare file size and live prints
 
Kishi (2:29 AM, January 02, 2013)
Sony A77 is also weather sealed. Rapid fire (burst mode) is faster on the A77 a max 12fps.
 
Sneaky_Pete (7:50 PM, September 25, 2012)
The Canon 7D does not shoot at 25fps, it shoots at a max of 8fps as per the Canon website. It has a max burst of 25 shots when in RAW. And with that the Sony A77 should move ahead in points.
 
J Bjorn (6:22 AM, July 28, 2012)
Sony wins hands down...the 7D can barely beat the A57 let alone the A77 
 
Johnnd (4:30 AM, June 02, 2012)
You also get to use all the  Konica Minolto & Minolta legacy gear too which you can buy a bargain prices
 
Pkepron (6:19 PM, February 23, 2012)
Having trouble making up my mind between these two.  Both are great cameras, but it seems the Sony scores higher and is more camera for the buck.  Unfortunately the A77 is hard to find and you are basically stuck to using all Sony gear.  I would really like to rent the two for a few days.  Unfortunately no one in Montreal rents the Sony. :(  I would also have to sell or trade all of my present Canon gear in order to get the Sony (Not that that matters).  Decisions, Decisions!  Hey Sony if you need a field tester I'm available! :)
 
Kc (10:22 AM, February 15, 2012)
Depends on what you're using it for. EVF is very handy with the level gauge, previewing the ISO and previewing the look of the shots before you take it (thanks to the preview button). The advantages of it for me are far better then having an OVF, especially when all the OVF does is show you what it looks like from the mirror, not what you get on the sensor.
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (2:14 PM, January 26, 2012)
Thanks for pointing that out, we will fix that up.
 
Stw (0:25 PM, January 26, 2012)
The Sony HAS two slots fpor memory cards: one for SD-Cards and one for Memory Sticks
 
APR (1:46 AM, January 18, 2012)
Error: the Sony does NOT have two memory slots, just one.
 
Casey (11:22 PM, January 04, 2012)
If you have other suggestions I would love to hear them, trying to stay around 2000, found 7d with 2 lenses cheaper than sony.
 
Casey (11:17 PM, January 04, 2012)
Based on these comparisons, sony is a better buy, hands down. Showing us more of the 3rd gen type camera, however I'm an everyday shooter and would rather sacrifice some of these positives of a longer life.... Very torn of which to buy. Already have canon lenses :( is there anyway to use them on this sony? Thanks for you're nice helpful comments...
 
Guest (9:49 AM, January 01, 2012)
A77 my wishlist :D
 
Neopren (10:29 PM, November 16, 2011)
I woould actually READ the whole of the DPREVIEW on the canon 7D instead of the fingertip   handshake  DXO give it in the comments above!!
DXO are a little biased imho in favor of the sony!!!
 
Neopren (10:23 PM, November 16, 2011)
...Also,I'd be concerned as to how many people have actually  handled the SLT 77,before voting,EVF NOT good for Professional or even semi pro shooting,most prefer OVF!!
 
Neopren (10:18 PM, November 16, 2011)
Slt has only one storage slot NOT two!!
Also you can get headaches using EVF  on SLT 77!!
 
Avatar for MaxDemon MaxDemon (10:03 PM, October 30, 2011)
It's best apc-c sized slr ever!
 
The_asselin (5:28 PM, October 07, 2011)
viewfinder magnifications are incorrect. 7d has 1.0x magnification and a77 has 1.1x magnification also eye relif is an advantage to the Sony where you don't have to squish your eye into the viewfinder.
 
Squash (7:01 PM, October 01, 2011)
I'll see if I can dig up Canon's own links. The 7D is weather resistant, but not sealed to the extent of the Canon 1D series or Pentax line (or Sony/Nikon pro line).

It's good, but not actually weathersealed, with major gaps in the sealing at the shutter and pop-up flash.
 
Derkjlerl (10:36 PM, September 13, 2011)
The 7D IS in fact weather sealed. If you could update that, it would be greatly appreciated.
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (2:08 PM, September 13, 2011)
Hi Ollder, our mistake, when the camera was first announced it was hard to find accurate information, you're definitely right, it supports a max iso of 16,000, we'll have our specs updated shortly.
 
Ollder (8:41 AM, September 13, 2011)
HEY! Where did you find the maximum light sensitivy as 12800 for Sony a77 ???  In announced specs it is 16000. (Not a big deal as a property but as a mark of your reliability)