Sony has returned to the enthusiast/semi-pro segment of the DSLR market after a four-year absence. Sony has spent the intervening time inventing something a bit different, as the A700, which closely mirrored the traditional DSLRs produced by Canon and Nikon, had little influence on the market.
The A77 incorporates the company’s “translucent mirror” technology and an electronic viewfinder rather than an optical one. The end product may appear conventional, but it is capable of delivering the unexpected.
The A77 has a new 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor, 12fps full-definition shooting, and the finest quality electronic viewfinder we’ve ever seen (a 2.4M dot OLED finder). In addition, it employs a new 19-point AF sensor, 11 of which are cross-type (sensitive to detail in both the vertical and horizontal axis).
Utilizing the main sensor’s live view enables the A77 to monitor objects as they move across the frame, giving the camera a better knowledge of which AF point to utilize at any given moment.
Last year’s SLT-A55 hinted at how Sony intended to apply its electronics expertise to a high-end camera. Due to its permanent, semi-transparent mirror, Sony was able to forego a standard optical viewfinder in favor of an electronic display.
It also meant that the phase-detection autofocus, which is largely responsible for the speed of DSLRs, could be employed continuously. This resulted in a camera that could shoot at an amazing 10fps, focus swiftly in video mode, and provide a full-time live view with DSLR-like consistency in a way that no other camera had before accomplished.
Unsurprisingly, the A77 takes all of these capabilities much further than the consumer-level A55; it combines the most up-to-date processor with an electronic first curtain shutter to provide the level of responsiveness expected by enthusiast/semi-pro users.
The A77’s vastly enhanced viewfinder is crucial to the camera’s ability to compete with the likes of Canon’s 7D, among others. Sony sought to perfect this feature before bringing an SLT into this market, as is evident from the context.
In addition, like the A55 and a handful of other contemporary Sony cameras, the A77 includes GPS functionality. It can be a very valuable tool for organizing and finding photographs, as it enables the geolocation of tagged images on sites like Flickr.
In addition to technological advancements, Sony has evidently listened to its customers while building the camera’s software; the A77 is not only the most customizable Sony camera we’ve ever encountered, but it also boasts an abundance of high-end capabilities.
This includes the option to fine-tune the AF tuning and define the upper and lower limits for the Auto ISO system – features not seen on a Sony camera since the DSLR-A850.
Best Sony a77 Memory Cards
1. SanDisk 128GB Extreme SD Card – U3, V30, Up To 180MB/s
SanDisk’s 128GB Extreme UHS-I SDXC Memory Card is designed for SD devices that can record Full HD, 3D, and 4K video, as well as raw and burst photography. It has a speed class rating of V30, which ensures minimum write speeds of 30 MB/s.
If your device does not support the V30 standard, this memory card is also compatible with the U3 standard, which guarantees minimum write speeds of 30 MB/s. The maximum read speed is 180 MB/s and the maximum write speed is 90 MB/s. A built-in write-protect switch safeguards card data against accidental deletion.
2. SanDisk 128GB Extreme Pro SD Card – U3, V30, Up To 200MB/s
SanDisk’s 128GB Extreme PRO UHS-I SDXC Memory Card is designed for SD devices that can capture Full HD, 3D, and 4K video, as well as raw and burst photography. It has a speed class rating of V30, which guarantees minimum write speeds of 30 MB/s, and is compatible with the UHS-I bus.
If your device does not support the V30 standard, this memory card is also compatible with the U3 standard, which guarantees minimum write speeds of 30 MB/s. Maximum read rates of 170 MB/s and write speeds of 90 MB/s are supported. A built-in write-protect switch safeguards card data against accidental deletion.
3. SanDisk 64GB Extreme Pro SD Card – U3, V30, Up To 300MB/s
The 64GB Extreme PRO UHS-I SDXC Memory Card from SanDisk is designed for SD devices that can capture Full HD, 3D, and 4K video, as well as raw and burst photography. It has a storage capacity of 64GB, is compatible with the UHS-I bus, and has a speed class rating of V30, which guarantees minimum write speeds of 30 MB/s.
If your device does not support the V30 standard, this memory card is also compatible with the U3 standard, which guarantees minimum write speeds of 30 MB/s. Maximum read rates of 170 MB/s and write speeds of 90 MB/s are supported. A built-in write-protect switch safeguards card data against accidental deletion.
4. Kingston 128GB Canvas Go Plus SD Card – U3, V30, Up To 170MB/s
The 128GB Canvas Go! Plus UHS-I SDXC Memory Card from Kingston features a storage capacity of 128GB and takes advantage of the UHS-I bus to support read speeds of up to 170 MB/s and write speeds of up to 90 MB/s. It is designed for mobile users who are shooting UHD 4K video and photo bursts on their DSLR.
The V30 speed class is supported by this Canvas Go! Plus card provides minimum write speeds of 30 MB/s. If your device does not support the V30 speed class, this memory card is also compatible with the U3 speed class, which guarantees minimum write speeds of 30 MB/s. If your device only supports the Class 10 standard, the guaranteed minimum write speed is 10 MB/s.
5. Kingston 128GB Canvas Select Plus SD Card – U3, V30, Up To 100MB/s
Kingston’s 128GB Canvas Select Plus UHS-I SDXC Memory Card is designed with the performance, speed, and durability for demanding workloads, such as transferring and developing high-resolution photographs or recording and editing Full HD and 4K video.
This Canvas Select Plus card with a storage capacity of up to 128GB and a UHS-I interface provides read speeds of up to 100 MB/s and write speeds of up to 85 MB/s. The V30 / U3 speed class rating prevents write speeds from falling below 30 MB/s.