Canon EOS
7D
 vs
Sony SLT
A77

Sony SLT-A77

74
Winner

Sony SLT A77

Reasons to buy the Sony SLT A77

Overall image quality
 Great image quality
78.0
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
Canon EOS 7D

71
Runner-up

Canon EOS 7D
"Very good low-light performance, low noise levels and good retention of detail"
dpreview.com | talking about the 7D's iso-noise
"Improved button and control layout over 50D/5D Mark II"
dpreview.com | talking about the 7D's button-layout

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 7D

Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Viewfinder
 Great viewfinder
Pentaprism
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%
Fastest shutter speed
 Fast shutter speed
1/8000 of a second

differences

Advantages of the Canon 7D
Viewfinder Has an optical viewfinder Pentaprism vs Digital
Help
 Optical viewfinders save battery life and are more detailed
Lens availability Significantly 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 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
Image stabilization Image stabilization Sensor shift vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Autofocus Video autofocus Phase detection vs None
Help
 Automatically focuses shooting video
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
Viewfinder size Significantly larger viewfinder 0.72x vs 0.62x
Help
 More than 30% larger viewfinder
GPS Has a GPS Yes vs No
Help
 Automatically geotags your photos when traveling
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
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
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
71 vs 74
Explain scores
Sony SLT A77 Sony SLT-A77
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Sony SLT-A77.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!
I am considering either the Canon 7D or the Sony SLT A77,
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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
Weather sealed Weather sealed Help
Shoot in extreme weather
Shutter lag Minimal shutter lag Help
7D:131 ms
SLT A77:124 ms
Supports 24p 24p support Help
For that film look
Viewfinder coverage Above average viewfinder coverage Help
100%
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
7D:148x111x74 mm
SLT A77:143x104x81 mm
Supports RAW Supports RAW Help
Better editing
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
7D:$1,500.00
SLT A77:$1,398.00
Built-in flash Built-in flashes Help
External flash not needed
Weight Light weight Help
7D:860 g
SLT A77:732 g
Light sensitivity (boost) Poor boost ISO Help
7D:12,800 ISO
SLT A77:25,600 ISO
Sensor size Very small sensors Help
7D:APS-C 22.3x14.9mm
SLT A77:APS-C 23.5x15.6mm
Focus points Few focus points Help
19
Battery life Few shots per battery charge Help
7D:800 shots
SLT A77:530 shots
Low light performance Above average noise at high ISO Help
7D:854 ISO
SLT A77:801 ISO
Screen size Very small screens Help
3.0"

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 - $1,197 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens
Startup delay Has much less startup delay
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 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$848 - $1,304 body only

$1,177 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens
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
Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Pro DSLR

$2,198 body only

$2,898 - $2,999 with 24-105mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Startup delay Has much less startup delay
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 Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

$745 - $1,000 with 18-55mm lens
Startup delay Has much less startup delay
Weight Is slightly lighter
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the EOS 7D
Compare the Rebel T3i 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 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
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens
Startup delay Has much less startup delay
Size Is slightly smaller
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D5100 vs the EOS 7D
Compare the D5100 vs the SLT A77
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$544 - $949 body only

$649 - $867 with 18-55mm lens
Startup delay Has much less startup delay
Size Is slightly smaller
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Viewfinder coverage Significantly less viewfinder coverage
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the EOS 7D
Compare the Rebel T2i 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 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 7D Sony SLT-A77
Canon EOS 7D Sony SLT-A77
Canon EOS 7D Sony SLT-A77

discussion

Showing 17 comments

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...
 
Avatar for Sayantan Guha Roy Sayantan Guha Roy (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)