Sony Alpha 77 and Sony Alpha 99 in the comparative test

The test candidates


Features


The Sony Alpha 77 with the APS-C sensor and the Sony Alpha 99 full-frame camera have a fixed SLT mirror instead of a swing-back mirror, which deflects approximately one third of the light to the AF sensors. The remaining light falls permanently on the sensor - in classical DSLRs, however, it is covered by the oscillating mirror until the moment of the exposure. Thanks to this special feature of SLT cameras, a live preview is always available on the monitor or in the electronic viewfinder, while the fast phase autofocus remains active, even during video recording, which is why the only cameras in this test field are the real alternative For the camcorder.


Searcher and Monitor


The Sony Alpha 77 and Sony Alpha 99 have a GPS module integrated and 24 megapixels, which leads to 3.9 μm small pixels, a conducive aperture of only f6.4 and the fogging loss of the APS-C sensor. While the approximately one-and-a-half-year-old A77 is priced at about € 1,200, the A99 costs roughly 1,000 euros more than its opponents Canon EOS 6D and Nikon D600 Br>

Autofocus and Performance


In contrast to the full-format of the Canon and Nikon range, the Sony 99 places the Alpha 99 as a (semi) professi


Handling


Onelle camera, which underlines the haptic and processing of the sealed magnesium housing. Compared to this, the plastic-clad aluminum housing of the Alpha 77 has a slightly less robust appearance, although seals also protect against splashing water.


The controls position Sony in the same pattern on Alpha 77 and Alpha 99, but the buttons on the A99 have the clearer pressure point. In addition, the joystick is more comfortable to handle than the A77 and the mode dial can be locked. For Sony's full-size camera, the second SD (HC / XC) slot and the standardized flash shoe instead of the proprietary A77. But the latter brings the pop-up flash unit, the A99 is missing. The sensor shift image stabilizer go


Sony is the standard in this class, as well as the full-HD video function with 50 B / s and effective tracking.


The proper 3-inch monitor can be unfolded on both Alpha models and rotated around its own axis - practically. The electronic 100% scanners with an effective 0.72- (A77) and 0.71-fold (A99) magnification dissolve high and provide a color-rich, contrast-rich image, especially with the A99, but the sharp image, which is compared to SLR viewers a bit darker.


The Sony Alpha 77 and the Sony Alpha 99 use a phase autofocus with 19 fields and 11 cross sensors, the A99 combines this with a further 102 point phase autofocus on the image sensor, In AF-D mode to help keep fast moving objects in focus - provided the lens supports this function. With 0.29 / 0.39 s trip delay, the simple phase autofocus of the A77 is among the fastest in the test. The A99 is back at 1000 lux with 0.53 s. In the standard mode, the A77 operates even at twice the tempo, creating 12 instead of 6 b / s.


Even the Alpha 77 can be operated exceptionally effectively, flexibly and intuitively via the many function buttons, the two rotary wheels, the joystick and the quick menu. Also useful is the Info-LCD at the top. Nevertheless, Sony can improve the operating comfort with the Alpha 99 again. One of the thought-out innovations is the multi-controller at the front left of the bayonet, a combination of a stepless, silent rotary wheel and a confirmation button.


The A99 surpasses her little sister in particular by the weaker noise and higher DL values. The A77 has a light, large-area color noise already in the ISO-100 recordings, which increases noticeably as the ISO number increases, while the color contrasts are also falling rapidly.


By contrast, the limit resolution between ISO 100 and 1,600, which is usually above 1,600 LP / BH in both cameras. Once again, the performance drifts far apart from ISO 3,200. In addition, the A99 has a larger dynamic range (up to 10.3 stops).


Buying advice: What to look for when purchasing a DSLR


Image quality


The Sony Alpha 99 (single test) has a particularly thought-out operating concept, including folding monitor, a housing with a professional-looking haptics. The Sony Alpha 99 (single test) has a very well thought-out operating concept, including folding monitor, for Sony's full-size camera And a full-HD video function with proper tracking. For the Sony Alpha 77 (single test) the lighter housing, the cheaper price and the fastest serial image speed in this test field speaks

Test Conclusion


Sony Alpha A77, Sony Alpha A99