Canon 6D vs Sony A77: A Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

Selecting the right camera can be a daunting task, especially with the diverse options available even among mid-tier advanced DSLRs. Today, I’m diving deep into two notable models that continue to hold relevance for many photographers: the Canon EOS 6D and the Sony SLT-A77. I have personally tested both extensively over the years across various photography genres and lighting scenarios to give you a nuanced, experience-driven comparison.

Whether you favor Canon’s full-frame classic or Sony’s APS-C powerhouse, this detailed analysis will equip you with invaluable insights to decide which aligns best with your shooting style, workflow, and budget.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

The tactile feel and handling of a camera profoundly influence your shooting experience - whether you’re trekking through a rugged landscape or capturing fleeting action on the street.

Canon 6D

• Larger and heavier at 770g, reflecting its full-frame heritage.
• Solid build quality with partial weather sealing, giving confidence in varied outdoor environments.
• Classic DSLR ergonomics: deep grip and well-spaced buttons, though it lacks illuminated controls which can be a minor annoyance in low light.
• 3-inch fixed Clear View II TFT LCD screen with 1040k-dot resolution, bright but non-articulating.

Sony A77

• Slightly lighter at 732g but thicker, partly because of its innovative translucent mirror design.
• Also weather sealed, though Sony's sealing on this model is slightly less extensive than Canon’s.
• Robust magnesium alloy body with a very pronounced grip, comfortable for extended handheld sessions.
• Features a 3-inch fully articulated LCD with 921k-dot resolution, advantageous for shooting at awkward angles and video recording.
• I appreciated the touchscreen-friendly articulation, making street or macro shots more flexible.

In general, the Canon 6D feels more traditional and familiar to DSLR shooters, while the Sony A77 offers greater flexibility in design, appealing to those who shoot in more dynamic, unconventional setups.

Control Layout and User Interface

User interface is often overlooked but crucial to seamless shooting, especially in fast-paced or professional scenarios.

Both cameras present tactile dials and customizable buttons, but there are subtle workflow differences:

• Canon 6D offers a clean, intuitive layout, easy to master for users familiar with Canon DSLRs. The top LCD panel provides quick exposure readouts - a boon for professionals accustomed to rapid control checks. The absence of illuminated buttons can make night shooting a bit frustrating.

• Sony A77 sports an electronic viewfinder and more buttons surrounding the top plate, giving quick access to settings like ISO and Drive modes. The rear control wheel is responsive but slightly smaller, which might be less ideal for those with larger hands.

My experience testing both cameras at events showed that Canon’s interface allowed for faster, more instinctive adjustments, while the Sony’s additional function buttons rewarded those who invested time in customization.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Arguably the heart of any camera, the sensor defines the baseline for image fidelity.

Canon EOS 6D

• Full-frame 20.2MP CMOS sensor (36x24mm) with a DIGIC 5+ processor.
• Equipped with an anti-aliasing filter to minimize moiré, trading slight sharpness for cleaner images on typical subjects.
• Impressive image quality with excellent color depth (23.8 bits) and respectable dynamic range (12.1 EV).
• Native ISO range 100-25600 expandable up to 102400. Excellent high ISO performance with low noise levels, making it a favorite for night and astro photography.
• Large sensor area captures more light per pixel, enabling richer tonal gradations and pleasing shallow depth-of-field effects in portraits.

Sony SLT-A77

• APS-C sized 24MP CMOS sensor (23.5x15.6mm) with Bionz image processor.
• Slightly higher resolution than the 6D but sensor area roughly 42% smaller due to the crop factor (1.5x).
• Color depth slightly better at 24 bits, dynamic range wider at 13.2 EV, which enables excellent detail preservation in highlights and shadows in RAW files.
• Native ISO 50-16000, expandable to 25600, with slightly more noise at high ISO than the Canon full-frame sensor in real-world tests.
• Beneficial for telephoto reach due to 1.5x crop factor, particularly helpful in wildlife or sports.

In testing landscapes and portraits under various lighting, the Canon 6D’s full-frame sensor consistently delivered richer colors and more pleasing bokeh, while the Sony’s strengths lay in dynamic range versatility and resolving finer details thanks to its higher resolution.

Viewfinder and Screen: Optical vs Electronic

An often-debated area between DSLR purists and mirrorless proponents - the 6D and A77 differ markedly here.

• Canon 6D sports a traditional optical pentaprism viewfinder covering 97% of the frame with 0.71x magnification. The advantage here is zero lag, excellent brightness even in bright sunlight, and no strain from digital display artifacts. However, it has no focus peaking or electronic overlay aids.

• Sony A77 offers a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2359k-dot resolution, 100% coverage, and 0.73x magnification. This EVF simulates the final image exposure and provides live histograms, focus peaking, and exposure warnings, which I find invaluable for manual focusing and ensuring exposure correctness on the go.

The Sony’s fully articulating LCD adds flexibility for creative angles, especially for video or street photography. Canon’s 6D LCD, though fixed, is bright and clear.

Autofocus and Burst Shooting Performance

Fast and accurate autofocus combined with burst rates are critical for action-oriented photography.

• Canon 6D Autofocus system features 11 phase-detection AF points, with 1 cross-type sensor at center. Unfortunately, it lacks advanced subject tracking or eye-detection technology found in newer models.

• Continuous shooting maximum at 4.5 fps, which is adequate for casual sports or wildlife but may fall short in fast-paced environments.

• AF performance excels in good light for portraits or landscapes but can occasionally struggle with erratic subjects or low contrast.

• Sony A77 is fitted with a 19-point phase detection AF system, 11 being cross-type sensors, enabling more precise focus acquisition across the frame.

• Continuous shooting hits an impressive 12 fps with full autofocus tracking, ideal for wildlife and action sports.

• The translucent mirror design facilitates fast, continuous autofocus during bursts and live view, outperforming traditional mirror mechanisms in speed.

From extensive wildlife and sports shoots, I found the Sony A77 to be a nimble performer when tracking unpredictable subjects, where the Canon 6D felt more deliberate but steady for composed portraits and landscapes.

Lens Options and System Compatibility

Your camera is only as versatile as the lens ecosystem it supports.

• Canon 6D utilizes the Canon EF mount, boasting an extensive selection of over 250 native lenses, including professional L-series options. Full-frame coverage ensures optimal performance without crop factor concerns. Canon’s superior widest aperture primes and modern tilt-shift lenses give the 6D an edge for studio, portrait, and architectural work.

• Sony A77 relies on the Sony/Minolta Alpha mount, supporting approximately 143 lenses. While still versatile, native lenses tend to be more APS-C optimized, with some full-frame glass via adapters. Third-party support is growing but not yet on par with Canon’s.

If you already own Canon lenses, the 6D is a no-brainer for seamless integration and future-proofing your system. Sony offers interesting specialized lenses but may oblige APS-C shooters to compromise on some full-frame glass advantages.

Video Capabilities

Though primarily stills cameras, both offer video functions worth assessing.

• Canon 6D captures 1080p Full HD at up to 30fps, delivering clean H.264 footage. Live view autofocus uses contrast detection, which can be slower and less smooth than phase detection, occasionally causing hunting during recording. No 4K support or advanced video features.

• Microphone input present but no headphone jack to monitor audio.

• Sony A77 excels in video specs with Full HD 1080p recording up to 60fps, various formats including AVCHD and MPEG-4.

• Utilizes hybrid AF combining phase and contrast detection for smoother autofocus during video.

• The articulated screen aids framing, and built-in stabilization improves handheld shots.

• Also provides microphone input but lacks headphone output.

For casual videographers or hybrid shooters, the Sony A77’s video performance provides more control and flexibility, especially for slow-motion and on-the-move recording.

Battery Life and Storage

The ability to last through demanding shoots without interruption is crucial.

• Canon 6D is rated for approximately 1090 shots per charge under CIPA standards, a standout figure in this class, making it well-suited for travel and extended outings.

• Uses the LP-E6 battery, widely available and compatible with other Canon models.

• Single SD card slot supporting SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards.

• Sony A77 offers around 470 shots per charge, significantly less than the Canon, necessitating spare batteries for long days.

• Uses the NP-FM500H battery, standard among several Sony DSLRs but less common than Canon’s LP-E6 line.

• Single storage slot compatible with SD and Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick Pro Duo cards, providing flexible media options.

Practically speaking, during event shooting or travel, I found the 6D’s longer battery life a substantial advantage.

Connectivity and Extras

• Canon 6D includes built-in Wi-Fi and GPS modules, allowing wireless image transfer and convenient geotagging for landscape and travel photographers.

• USB 2.0 and HDMI ports present.

• No Bluetooth or NFC.

• Sony A77 offers Wi-Fi compatibility primarily through Eye-Fi card support (older wireless SD cards), limiting native wireless functionality.

• Also includes GPS, HDMI, and USB 2.0.

• Lacks Bluetooth and NFC as well.

Canon’s integrated Wi-Fi is a big plus for photographers who rely on quick sharing or tethering without additional accessories.

Handling Various Photography Genres

Let’s break down how these cameras perform across specific photography disciplines based on my testing.

Portrait Photography

Canon 6D shines here. Its larger full-frame sensor produces beautiful skin tone rendition and creamy bokeh, especially with fast primes. The center AF point is precise but limited to 11 total points, which might restrict off-center focus. Face detection in Live View helps for composed portraits.
Sony A77, with more AF points, offers better focus area coverage but smaller sensor size reduces shallow depth effect slightly.

Landscape Photography

Canon’s wider dynamic range - notably in RAW files - plus high ISO prowess and weather sealing, make it excellent for challenging outdoor conditions. The 6D’s sensor resolution is adequate to produce detailed landscapes, although Sony’s higher megapixels offer a slight edge in pixel-level sharpness.
Sony’s articulated LCD helps with creative compositions at low angles.

Wildlife & Sports

Sony dominates with its rapid 12fps burst, wider AF coverage, and crop factor beneficial for telephoto reach. The translucent mirror facilitates faster autofocus during continuous shooting. Canon’s 4.5fps and fewer AF points limit action capture but work well for slower subjects.
Sony’s combo is arguably better in this niche.

Street Photography

The lightly smaller Sony A77 feels more discreet and its articulated screen lends flexibility for candid shots. However, neither camera is notably compact for street work. Canon’s full-frame sensor produces better low-light images at high ISO, advantageous for night street scenes.

Macro

Neither camera has specialized macro features, but Sony’s articulated screen and steadier autofocus in Live View can aid macro shooters. Canon’s full-frame sensor produces more detailed and smoother bokeh.

Night / Astrophotography

Canon 6D is a popular choice among astrophotographers. Its excellent high ISO performance and low noise, combined with GPS for star alignment apps, make it stand out. Sony’s sensor noise is higher at extreme ISOs, reducing usefulness here.

Video

Sony is better suited for enthusiasts who dabble in video, offering 60fps Full HD and better autofocus during recording. Canon’s video capabilities are more basic.

Travel

Canon 6D's longer battery life, GPS, and Wi-Fi make it traveler-friendly, despite a heavier body. Sony’s lighter build and articulated screen help with creativity but shorter battery life is a limitation.

Professional Work

Canon 6D provides robust file compatibility, reliable battery, and proven EF lenses. Sony caters more to specialized advanced amateurs or hybrid shooters.

Summarizing the Strengths and Limitations

Which Camera Should You Choose?

Choose Canon EOS 6D if you:

• Prioritize image quality, especially for landscape, portrait, and low-light photography.
• Benefit from the full-frame look and Canon’s expansive lens system.
• Need longer battery life and integrated wireless/geotagging features for travel or professional use.
• Prefer an optical viewfinder and a classic DSLR experience.

Choose Sony A77 if you:

• Want fast continuous shooting and superior autofocus coverage for wildlife, sports, and action photography.
• Value the flexibility of an electronic viewfinder and articulating touchscreen for video or unconventional angles.
• Are budget-conscious but want advanced features in an APS-C format.
• Shoot hybrid stills/video and require better video functionality.

Final Thoughts on Value

Given the Canon 6D’s full-frame sensor, image quality, and system maturity, it commands a premium. However, I found its performance still competitive against newer mid-range models in several areas, making it a worthwhile investment for enthusiasts upgrading to full frame.

The Sony A77 offers a compelling value with impressive speed and video features, especially at its more affordable price point. For users wanting versatility and speed over sensor size, it's a strong pick.

How I Tested These Cameras

Throughout my evaluations, I employed rigorous standardized methods including:

• Controlled lab tests with color charts, dynamic range targets, and ISO noise measurement tools.
• Real-world scenarios spanning portrait sessions, landscape hikes, sports events, and street walks.
• Side-by-side autofocus tracking tests and burst shooting drills using consistent lighting.
• Long-term field use focusing on battery endurance, weather sealing, and ergonomics.

This extensive hands-on testing ensures the insights here reflect actual user experiences rather than theoretical specifications.

In Conclusion

Both the Canon EOS 6D and Sony SLT-A77 are admirable cameras with unique strengths. Your decision should hinge on your specific photographic priorities - whether it’s superior sensor performance and image quality with the Canon, or speed, autofocus versatility, and video capabilities with the Sony.

If you want to see how sample images compare, here’s a gallery showcasing the output from both cameras under varied conditions:

Canon 6D front Canon 6D screen back Sony A77 front Sony A77 screen back

With these insights, you can be confident you’re choosing the best tool to realize your creative vision.

Quick Pros & Cons Summary

Canon EOS 6D

• Full-frame sensor with excellent high ISO and color quality
• Long battery life and built-in Wi-Fi/GPS
• Broad lens compatibility with Canon EF mount
• Modest autofocus coverage and burst rate
• No articulated screen
• Pricier investment

Sony SLT-A77

• Fast 12fps shooting and 19 cross-type AF points
• Electronic viewfinder with live exposure preview
• Articulated LCD beneficial for video & creative compositions
• Smaller APS-C sensor with more noise at high ISO
• Shorter battery life
• Smaller lens ecosystem

If you’re hungry for further recommendations or detailed lens pairing advice, just let me know - I regularly update my evaluations based on new firmware and accessory releases to keep you ahead of the curve.

Happy shooting!