Sony SLT-A77VQ Sony DT 16 50mm Review | 108 Data compared

The Sony Alpha 77 (A77) is a pioneering semi-professional camera that replaces the traditional optical viewfinder with an electronic one, utilizing an ultra-precise 1024x768 pixel OLED XGA display. Built around a record-setting 24.3-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, it incorporates a translucent mirror design that enables blazing burst speeds of up to 12 frames per second with full continuous autofocus and auto-exposure. Reviewers praised the incredible precision, detail, and 100% field coverage of the OLED viewfinder, alongside the impressive color and gamma performance of the multi-angle 7.5 cm articulating LCD screen. Furthermore, its translucent mirror technology provides a major advantage in video mode, delivering fluid and exceptionally fast phase-detection autofocus during 1080p HDTV recording at 50p or 25p—a feat unmatched by standard DSLR competitors at the time.

The Sony Alpha A77 is a highly advanced camera that bridges the gap between traditional DSLRs and electronic viewfinders by using a translucent mirror system. Built with a rugged, weather-sealed magnesium chassis, it features an APS-C sensor that captures massive 24.3-megapixel images. It excels in speed and video, boasting a record-breaking burst rate of 12 frames per second in RAW and crisp Full HD video with effective automatic focus. Users will love the flexible dual-hinge tilting screen, a cleverly designed pop-up flash that prevents shadows, and a rare built-in GPS chip that keeps the shoe mount free for other accessories. However, the camera has a few notable drawbacks that buyers should keep in mind. The high-density sensor creates more noise in low light compared to its rivals, making the image quality drop significantly past ISO 1,600. Its battery life is also shorter because the electronic viewfinder and GPS drain power quickly, yielding only 350 to 450 shots per charge. Finally, the camera sadly only features a single memory card slot, and the cheap 18-55mm starter lens option is too poor...

The Sony SLT-A77 is an expert-level camera that stands out for its translucent mirror technology, which keeps the phase-detection autofocus sensors continuously illuminated. This unique design allows for an exceptionally fast continuous shooting speed of up to 12 frames per second and an incredibly silent, low-vibration operation compared to traditional DSLRs. The reviewer heavily praises the camera’s exceptionally accurate white balance (inherited from Minolta), its wide dynamic range that smoothly handles highlights on faces, and its highly versatile, multi-angle 3-inch articulated rear screen. Additionally, the camera features an impressive 2.36-megapixel electronic viewfinder (EVF) that provides 100% coverage and rich real-time information, including a dual-axis digital level. However, the camera comes with several notable drawbacks. The sensor's high-resolution 24.3 megapixels on an APS-C crop frame results in visible digital noise at high ISO settings, making its low-light performance weaker than rivals like the Nikon D7000 or full-frame alternatives. While the autofocus is very performant, the camera's buffer quickly fills up during continuous RAW shooting, which restricts its capability during long bursts. Furthermore, enabling the instant image review feature causes an annoying...

summary of the Sony Alpha 77 review: Review Summary This review strongly defends the Sony Alpha 77 against widespread claims from major testing sites like dpreview that its high-density 24-megapixel sensor causes excessive digital noise at high ISO settings. The author argues that these negative assessments stem from a "pixel-peeping" testing flaw, where images are evaluated at a 100% zoom on screens rather than at equivalent print sizes. When using fairer testing protocols like DxOMark—which downsamples images to a standardized size—the Alpha 77 performs identically to the previous generation 16MP Alpha 55. Furthermore, the reviewer exposed a massive exposure discrepancy in dpreview's manual setup, showing they mistakenly shot the Alpha 77 nearly 1 EV darker than its competitor, which mechanically forced a massive increase in visible noise. The review highlights several pros for the camera, notably its exceptional low-ISO image quality packed with fine details, an expert-level body and ergonomics, an excellent electronic viewfinder, and significantly improved dynamic range and color depth. However, a few notable cons are explicitly mentioned: the camera's semi-transparent Translucent mirror design inherently absorbs about 1/2...

The Les Numériques review evaluates the Sony Alpha 77 as a highly successful "SLT" expert camera that shifts away from traditional reflex design by adopting a fixed semi-transparent mirror and an OLED electronic viewfinder. On the positive side, the camera delivers top-tier performance, highlighted by an exceptional burst mode of 12 frames per second at full 24-megapixel resolution and an excellent autofocus system that clocks in under a quarter of a second in good lighting. It is also praised for its weather-sealed construction, highly customizable ergonomics, Full HD video capabilities up to 50 fps with continuous autofocus, and a uniquely versatile rear screen mounted on both a hinge and a rotating ball joint. Additionally, the high-resolution OLED viewfinder is highlighted for its impressive 2500:1 contrast and accurate depth-of-field preview. However, the review points out several notable drawbacks, particularly regarding image sensitivity and interface design. Despite packing a record-setting 24-megapixel APS-C sensor, the fixed mirror diverts part of the incoming light, leading to aggressive software smoothing starting at ISO 3200 and a general regression in low-light sensitivity compared to older 16-megapixel...

The CameraRace review of the 24.3-megapixel Sony SLT-A77 rates the translucent-mirror camera a 59, highlighting its 12 fps burst speed, weather-sealed construction, and highly flexible articulated screen as key strengths for sports and landscape photography. Conversely, the analysis notes critical drawbacks, including poor battery life (470 shots), a lack of built-in wireless connectivity, and average overall performance, suggesting it may not be ideal for everyday use compared to modern alternatives.

The Les Numériques review frames the Sony Alpha 77 as a bold revival of Sony's expert camera lineup, departing from traditional DSLRs by adopting a "Single-Lens Translucent" (SLT) design. A major highlight of the camera is its high-density 24-megapixel APS-C sensor and its standout burst shooting speed of 12 frames per second, making it highly competitive for sports and action photography. Additionally, the review strongly praises its advanced Full HD 1080p video mode (offering 50p, 25i, and interlaced alternatives), which stands as one of the device's greatest strengths due to its robust settings and technical flexibility. However, the camera's unique hardware choices introduce clear drawbacks. The most significant flaw highlighted is the complete lack of autofocus during manual video recording, forcing shooters to work around strict automated constraints for video capture. Furthermore, the introduction of a high-definition OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF) instead of a traditional optical reflex viewfinder serves as a point of contention. While Sony implemented a high-magnification ocular and reduced display lag to mitigate traditional EVF weaknesses, it remains an electronic screen that faces skepticism from old-school DSLR...

Here is a detailed summary of the review for the Sony Alpha 77: Review Summary The Sony Alpha 77 is a highly anticipated expert-level APS-C DSLR that utilizes revolutionary Translucent Mirror Technology, featuring a fixed, semi-transparent mirror that splits light between the image sensor and an overhead autofocus sensor. Built with a robust, weather-resistant magnesium alloy body and a unique three-axis articulating rear LCD screen, the camera introduces a record-breaking 24.3-megapixel Exmor HD CMOS sensor paired with a powerful Bionz processor. Key advantages highlighted in the review include its blazing-fast 12 frames-per-second continuous shooting speed with full-time phase-detection autofocus—making it highly effective for sports and wildlife photography—and a high-resolution XGA OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF) that provides 100% frame coverage and real-time exposure preview. Additionally, the camera excels in video performance by offering Full HD 50p/25p capture with continuous phase-detection autofocus and full manual control. Despite its exceptional performance, the reviewer notes several drawbacks inherent to its design and early firmware limitations. While the Translucent technology allows for rapid firing and video autofocus, the fixed mirror absorbs about 1/3 EV of...