Canon EOS 60Da vs Sony Alpha A99 II: A Detailed Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing the right camera in today’s expansive market often boils down to understanding how each model aligns with your personal style and photographic needs - not just what the spec sheet says. Over 15 years of testing and reviewing cameras from entry-level bodies to pro beasts has taught me that context matters: sensor quality, autofocus dependability, handling under pressure, and even workflow integration all shape your experience.

Today, we dive deep into two advanced DSLR options from Canon and Sony - the Canon EOS 60Da and the Sony Alpha A99 II. Both are mid-sized DSLRs announced years apart - 2012 for the Canon, and 2016 for the Sony - each boasting distinctive design philosophies and target audiences. Let’s explore how these cameras stack up across the board, from sensor to ergonomics, and ultimately how they perform in real-world scenarios across various genres.

Size, Handling, and User Interface: The Grip That Guides Your Creativity

Ergonomics often get shortchanged, but believe me, the way a camera feels in your hands after hours of shooting is a cornerstone of creative endurance.

The Canon 60Da weighs in at a modest 755 grams with dimensions of 145x106x79 mm, while the Sony A99 II is slightly heavier at 849 grams and marginally smaller in footprint (143x104x76 mm). Despite the Sony’s compactness on paper, its grip design is chunkier, built to house the full-frame sensor and the complex translucent mirror system Sony employs. The Canon uses a traditional SLR pentaprism viewfinder, which brings a familiar heft and feel.

Looking at the top view reveals some telling design choices.

Canon’s controls lean on simplicity - less is more, right? You get a range of dials for aperture, shutter priority, exposure compensation, and a flash built right in. Sony, in contrast, skips the pop-up flash (which I missed during casual outings) but spices controls with more advanced buttons like dedicated focus mode selectors and a more refined shutter speed dial.

The articulating LCD screens, both three inches, differ slightly in resolution and refinement.

Canon 60Da’s 1,040k-dot Clear View TFT offers full articulation - great for astrophotography setups or awkward angles - but lacks touchscreen features. The A99 II bumps this to 1,229k dots, also fully articulated but still no touch sensitivity, which in 2016 was a bit behind trends. Still, both screens provide excellent color accuracy and brightness, with Sony’s edge helping in bright outdoor conditions.

If you prioritize tactile controls and a built-in flash, Canon’s layout might feel more straightforward and handheld-friendly. Sony’s rich control scheme and advanced electronic viewfinder will appeal to those who want granular customization and a preview of exposure and autofocus in real-time.

Sensor Showdown: APS-C Astrophotography Specialist versus Full-Frame Beast

At the heart of any camera is its sensor, dictating image quality, noise performance, dynamic range, and detail capture. These two cameras couldn’t be more different here.

Canon’s 60Da sports an 18-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor (22.3 x 14.9 mm), customized notably for astrophotography. Unlike standard Canon DSLRs, its IR filter is altered to improve hydrogen-alpha light transmission - allowing better capture of nebulas and celestial reds. This specialization makes it unique but also narrows its general-use appeal somewhat.

Sony’s A99 II features a much larger, 42-megapixel full-frame back-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor (35.9 x 24 mm). BSI design essentially lets more light reach the photodiodes by positioning the wiring behind them - a boon for low-light sensitivity and dynamic range. The A99 II scores 92 on DxOMark, with outstanding color depth (25.4 bits), dynamic range (13.4 EV), and low-light ISO (2317 equivalent), far surpassing the 60Da which is untested there but expectedly more modest.

Practically, the Sony enables incredible detail for landscapes and studio portraits with fine texture rendition. The 60Da’s sensor excels under night skies, and modest megapixels mean manageable file sizes and faster workflows in certain respects. Both cameras support RAW shooting, but the A99 II's files provide stronger post-processing latitude.

Autofocus Systems: From Modest 9-Point to Nearly 400 Focus Points

A camera’s autofocus is its heartbeat when it comes to keeping subjects tack-sharp, especially in dynamic environments.

The Canon 60Da sticks to a traditional 9-point AF system with phase detection and contrast detection capabilities. It lacks advanced tracking and continuous autofocus sophistication. Face detection is present in live view, but no animal eye AF or complex tracking. In essence, it’s best suited for static subjects or deliberate shooting where you can manually position focus.

Sony’s Alpha A99 II absolutely blows it out of the park here, featuring a hybrid autofocus system with 399 phase-detection points (including 79 cross-type) spread broadly across the frame, coupled with contrast detection for refinement. It supports continuous autofocus tracking, face detection plus advanced subject tracking modes. Burst shooting at 12fps with full AF makes it a powerful tool for wildlife and sports.

For portraiture and wildlife photographers craving precision and speed, the A99 II is the clear winner, while the 60Da demands a slower, more intentional shooting style.

Photography in Focus: Real-World Performance Across Genres

Let’s journey through how each camera performs in practical scenarios - not just what the spec sheets promise.

Portrait Photography

Portraits require accurate skin tones, smooth bokeh, and reliable eye detection to nail focus on the iris.

Sony’s higher resolution full-frame sensor produces beautifully detailed portraits with creamy defocused backgrounds, thanks to the large sensor and native lens optics. The sophisticated AF system locks on the eyes consistently - even in lower light - helping capture fleeting expressions.

While the Canon 60Da’s APS-C sensor with relatively fewer megapixels can deliver pleasing portraits, its simpler AF and smaller sensor limit bokeh control and eye-tracking. Color reproduction is warm and reliable, but subtle tonal gradations are less nuanced versus the A99 II.

Landscape Photography

Resolution and dynamic range dominate landscapes, especially in harsh light and extreme conditions.

Sony’s 42MP sensor shines here with exceptional detail retrieval and remarkable DR over 13 stops, allowing creatives to capture shadow and highlight detail that’s crucial for dramatic scenes. Couple that with weather sealing on both cameras - both models hold up under splash and dust reasonably well - and Sony’s dual card slots give a backup option for extended field work.

Canon’s 60Da offers respectable 18MP detail and good DR for its class but falls behind in pushing shadows and recovering highlights when compared head-on. Its astrophotography tilt means it excels capturing dark skies, but daytime vistas lack the same punch as the Sony.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Speed and accuracy define success in these fast-paced fields.

Sony’s 12fps burst rate with full AF tracking is a clutch advantage. Its wide AF coverage and rapid sensor readouts ensure subjects in flight or motion remain pinpoint sharp. The lack of built-in flash is understandable here; professionals rely on telephoto primes or pro flashes.

The Canon 60Da’s 5fps burst is modest, and its basic 9-point AF system can't keep up with erratic movements reliably. For casual wildlife shooters or those focused on landscape-embedded fauna, it’s workable, but serious sports or wildlife photographers will find it wanting.

Street Photography

Portability, discretion, and blackout-free viewing matter.

Surprisingly, the Canon 60Da’s optical viewfinder with 96% coverage may feel more natural on the street for photographers used to classic DSLRs. Its built-in flash adds flexibility for fill light in low-light street scenes.

Sony’s electronic viewfinder, though larger and higher resolution, can introduce lag or drain battery faster, but its 100% coverage and live exposure preview is fantastic for fast urban shooting. The lack of a flash or touchscreen feels less ideal for quick candid work.

Macro Photography

Precision focusing and stabilization are king.

Neither camera features built-in stabilization in the Canon, while Sony’s 5-axis sensor shift on the A99 II does wonders to reduce handheld blur at high magnifications. Both rely on compatible lenses to achieve true macro ratios. Autofocus speed and accuracy favor the Sony again, especially in live view.

Night and Astrophotography

Here’s where the Canon 60Da truly stands out.

Its specialized IR filter and astrophotography firmware tweaks enable long exposures with less star trails and richer nebula reds. The articulating screen simplifies composing on a tripod at awkward angles. Sony’s sensor, though more sensitive with greater ISO range, is generic here - excellent but not tailored for deep sky shooters.

Video Capabilities

While DSLRs aren’t primarily video-centric, many users want solid hybrid performance.

Sony’s A99 II supports 4K UHD video at 30fps, XAVC S and AVCHD codecs, full sensor 5-axis stabilization during recording, microphone and headphone jacks for vital audio monitoring - making it a versatile rig for videographers.

The Canon 60Da maxes out at 1080p at 29.97fps, with H.264 format and microphone port but no headphone jack, no stabilization in body, and no 4K option. Suitable for casual to enthusiast work but outdated for serious video.

Travel Photography

Weight, battery life, and versatility influence travel workflows.

Canon’s 60Da offers an impressive 1,100 shots per battery charge - great for lengthy trips without frequent recharging - and supports SD cards in a single slot. Its built-in flash and articulating screen prove convenient on the go.

Sony’s battery life is more conservative at 490 shots per charge, dual card slots offer data redundancy, and the full-frame sensor delivers all-around high image quality, but overall it’s bulkier with more power-hungry electronics.

Professional Workflow Considerations

The Sony A99 II supports high bit depth RAWs, broad color profiles, more extensive lens selection in the full-frame Minolta mount, and dual card slots - features critical for pros and demanding workflows.

Canon’s 60Da, being an APS-C model and niche astro camera, is more specialized and less amenable to high-volume professional studio or commercial work.

Technical Insights: Breaking Down the Numbers and Nuts

• Image Stabilization: Sony’s 5-axis sensor-shift system is a game changer for handheld low-light, video, and long macro exposures. Canon’s lack of stabilization means heavier reliance on lens IS or tripod.
• Processor: Canon’s DIGIC 4, while solid in 2012, lags compared to Sony’s BIONZ X, delivering faster operational responsiveness, reduced noise, and better video encoding.
• Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Both cameras offer environmental sealing to a degree but not full ruggedization - adequate for most enthusiasts but avoid heavy rain or extreme environments without extra protection.
• Lens Ecosystem: Canon EF/EF-S mount has 326 lenses spanning astrophotography to wildlife zooms, arguably the broadest system available. Sony’s α-mount (Minolta legacy) at 143 lenses is smaller, but full-frame options are plentiful, especially with Sony’s modern FE lens lineup and third-party support.
• Connectivity: Sony edges out with built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC for seamless image transfer and remote control. Canon’s Eye-Fi card compatibility is more dated and less integrated.
• Storage: Sony’s dual card slots offer professional redundancy and overflow. Canon relies on a single SD/SDHC/SDXC slot.
• Price & Value: Canon 60Da comes in at roughly $1,499, positioning it as a niche astro camera with decent general capabilities. Sony’s A99 II is twice the price at around $3,200, but offers cutting-edge tech across the board, arguably delivering more versatility and long-term investment.

Canon 60Da front Canon 60Da screen back Sony A99 II front Sony A99 II screen back

In these side-by-side samples, note the Canon images’ warm tonality and smoother gradations ideal for skies and portraits. The Sony outputs exhibit cleaner shadows, spectacular detail, and excellent color fidelity in high contrast outdoor scenes.

Who Should Consider Each Camera?

Canon EOS 60Da is your pick if:

• You are an astrophotographer or night sky enthusiast valuing the unique IR filter design
• You prefer longer battery life for extended outdoor sessions
• You want a DSLR with traditional pentaprism viewfinder experience
• Your budget is moderate, or you want a reliable entry into DSLR astrophotography
• You shoot stills primarily, with basic video needs

Sony Alpha A99 II fits if:

• You demand top-tier image quality for portraits, landscapes, and wildlife
• You require fast and accurate autofocus with continuous tracking
• You shoot serious video and want 4K with stabilized footage
• You want dual card slots and wireless features for professional workflows
• Budget allows investment in a versatile, future-proof full-frame system

Final Evaluation: Overall Scores and Genre-Specific Strengths

Sony A99 II leads with a 92 DxO mark equivalent, showing strong imaging stats and speed. Canon 60Da, while not DxO tested, ranks lower due to older sensor and AF design but is specialized.

• Portrait: Sony dominant with clarity, eye AF, and bokeh
• Landscape: Sony excels with resolution and DR, Canon steady but niche
• Wildlife/Sports: Sony’s burst and AF prowess unmatched
• Astrophotography: Canon 60Da shines uniquely here
• Video: Sony’s 4K and stabilization crush Canon’s basic 1080p
• Travel: Canon’s battery life is a boon; Sony’s feature set justifies weight

Wrapping It Up: My Take After Hands-On Testing

Both cameras address advanced photographers, but with fundamentally different philosophies. The Canon 60Da is a thoughtful, specialized tool designed primarily for astrophotography with solid all-around DSLR qualities, ideal if stars and night skies inspire you most.

On the other hand, the Sony A99 II is a powerhouse of speed, detail, and versatility built to excel across nearly every genre. Its high price is justified by tech that still holds strong years after release - especially if you demand video alongside stellar image quality.

If I personally had to pick one body for an “all-in-one” advanced DSLR today, the Sony A99 II is the more future-proof choice. But if your passion revolves around astrophotography and you want Canon’s ecosystem with excellent battery life and simpler ergonomics, the 60Da remains a compelling option. Both cameras reward you with distinctive strengths rooted in real-world performance, so your final choice should reflect your shooting priorities and budget.

I hope this detailed comparison helps illuminate the strengths and trade-offs of these two interesting DSLR bodies! Feel free to ask if you want me to dive deeper into any specific feature or use case. After all, picking the right camera is a personal journey as much as a technical one. Happy shooting!