Canon 80D vs Sony A77 II: An In-Depth DSLR Showdown for Enthusiast Photographers

Choosing the right advanced DSLR remains a pivotal decision for photography enthusiasts and professionals who crave versatility, image quality, and reliable performance across genres. Today, I’m placing two stalwart APS-C DSLRs head-to-head: the Canon EOS 80D announced in early 2016 and the slightly older but still relevant Sony SLT-A77 II from mid-2014. Both cameras target the enthusiast segment with interchangeable lens options and robust feature sets, but beneath the surface, they offer distinct philosophies in sensor design, autofocus systems, and overall handling.

Over many months of rigorous field testing - shooting portraits under tricky lighting, chasing wildlife in shifting conditions, and testing video workflows - I’ve developed a nuanced perspective on where each camera excels and where compromises appear. Let’s dive deep, peeling back layers from sensor tech to ergonomics to genre-specific performance, so you can make an informed choice tailored perfectly to your shooting style.

Feeling Each Body in Hand: Ergonomics and Design Realities

Ergonomics shape not just comfort but your creative flow when hours tick by in the field. The Canon 80D and Sony A77 II are both mid-sized SLRs, but nuances in their physicality reveal different design priorities.

The Canon 80D measures 139x105x79 mm and weighs about 730g with battery, offering a notably robust grip. It feels assured in the hand across small to large rigs, lending favored ergonomics for long photographic sessions - especially in wildlife and sports shooting. The fully articulating 3-inch LCD plus touchscreen adds significant handling flexibility, letting you shoot from tricky angles smoothly.

By contrast, the Sony A77 II is slightly lighter (647g) and marginally larger at 143x104x81 mm. Its magnesium alloy body also excels in rigidity but delivers a subtly different hand feel - softer contours with a less pronounced grip bump. This aids in discreet street photography or travel scenarios where nimbleness matters. The screen is fully articulating as well but lacks touchscreen support, which can slow down quick menu navigation or AF point selection compared to Canon’s more tactile interface.

On top, both cameras feature useful top LCD info panels and intuitive button layouts, but the Canon 80D’s top view design edges ahead by grouping controls meaningfully for rapid exposure adjustments without taking eyes off the scene.

Worth noting: Neither camera offers weather sealing beyond dust and splash resistance - adequate, but not for prolonged shooting in harsh rains.

Peering Through the Window: Sensors and Image Quality Tell-Tale

At the heart of any camera is its sensor, and here the story unfolds with subtle yet impactful differences.

Both use APS-C CMOS sensors with 24-megapixel nominal resolutions delivering a maximum image size of 6000x4000 pixels, but with slight size differences: the Sony’s sensor measures 23.5x15.6mm (366.6 mm²), marginally larger than Canon’s 22.5x15mm (337.5 mm²). This gives Sony a theoretical edge in light gathering - translating to modestly cleaner images at higher ISOs.

Canon’s DIGIC 6 processor works well with its sensor to deliver vibrant color reproduction and skin tone rendition, showing its photographic pedigree especially in natural light portraits. Sony’s Bionz X processor, paired with its larger sensor, pushes dynamic range just a touch further (13.4 EV vs Canon’s 13.2 EV), revealing better highlight and shadow detail in challenging lighting - a boon for landscapes and street photographers chasing subtle tonal gradation.

On the color fidelity front, Sony achieves a slightly higher DxO Color Depth score (24.4 bits vs 23.6 bits), hinting at marginally more nuanced color transitions, but both bodies produce industry-grade JPEG and RAW outputs.

Noise handling tells a more differentiated tale. Canon’s low-light ISO performance measures a DxO score of 1135 ISO equivalent, superior to Sony’s 1013, which aligns with my hands-on experience: the 80D maintains cleaner files at ISO 3200 and 6400 compared to the noisier A77 II output, an important consideration for wedding or event photographers shooting in dim interiors.

Viewing the Scene: Viewfinder and Screen - Optical vs Electronic

The 80D sports a traditional optical pentaprism viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.6x magnification, which DSLR purists appreciate for its real-time clarity and zero lag. In bright outdoor conditions, especially chasing birds or sports, the optical viewfinder remains unbeatable in providing natural, flicker-free feedback.

Sony’s SLT (Single Lens Translucent) A77 II flips the paradigm. It employs a 2.36 million-dot electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 100% coverage and 0.73x magnification - far higher magnification than Canon’s - and it shows a live exposure preview with histogram and focus peaking overlays. This EVF is an outstanding tool for precise exposure control and focusing in challenging scenarios, despite occasional electronic lag or minor blackout during burst shooting.

LCD screens are a battleground that further reflects brand philosophies:

Canon’s 80D integrates a fully articulated 3-inch touchscreen running at 1,040k dots, supporting touch-based focus point selection - a fast, intuitive asset when shooting video or Live View stills. The articulating hinge is sturdy and versatile for low or high-angle use.

Sony’s 3-inch LCD boasts a slightly higher resolution at 1,229k dots but lacks touch input, making menu navigation slower despite its equally flexible articulation. The EVF plus high-res LCD combo makes the A77 II compelling for photographers who like real-time adjustments and digital overlays.

Autofocus and Burst Speed: Tracking the Action

Autofocus performance makes or breaks usability in many photography disciplines, especially wildlife and sports.

The Canon 80D features a 45-point all cross-type phase-detection AF system in its viewfinder and Dual Pixel AF for live view, delivering swift, confident focus tracking with excellent eye detection for portraits (although it lacks Canon’s later animal eye detection). Its burst rate of 7fps suffices for most moderately fast action sequences.

Meanwhile, the Sony A77 II ups the ante with a robust 79-point hybrid AF system - 15 cross-type points, blending phase and contrast detection - and supercharged 12fps continuous shooting. This makes it well-suited to high-speed subjects like racing cars or fleeting wildlife moments where decisive focus and frame rate win the day.

In my experience testing on wildlife safaris and ball games, the Sony's tracking exhibits impressive accuracy at distance and in low light, outperforming Canon in sustained bursts before buffer fills. However, Sony’s slightly noisier output at higher ISOs means a post-processing trade-off in grain control.

How Do These Cameras Suit Various Genres?

A detailed scorecard follows to map strengths in different photography disciplines, integrating my analysis with performance metrics and field trials.

Portraits

Canon 80D shines with lifelike skin tones, reliable eye autofocus, and excellent bokeh when paired with quality EF lenses. The articulating touchscreen streamlines focus selection in live view portraits. Sony A77 II’s higher sensor resolution helps capture fine detail, but sometimes renders skin with cooler tones. Lack of touch complicates rapid AF tweaks.

Verdict: For portrait work prioritizing skin quality and ease of operation, Canon holds a slight edge.

Landscapes

Sony’s superior dynamic range and larger sensor help capture rich tonal gradation and shadow detail in landscapes. The EVF assists in framing and exposure fine-tuning. Canon remains highly capable, with excellent color accuracy and efficient tilting screen for tripod work.

Verdict: Sony narrowly leads in landscape flexibility.

Wildlife

Sony’s burst speed and autofocus system excel where quick action and high frame rates matter. Canon’s AF is solid but slower burst limits some fast-action scenarios.

Verdict: Sony preferred for fast wildlife or birding.

Sports

Again, Sony’s 12fps burst and AF tracking make it ideal for sports photographers, despite slightly lower battery life. Canon is serviceable for moderate action but can feel a step behind.

Verdict: Sony leads sports shooting.

Street

Sony’s lighter weight, quieter operation, and EVF advances provide advantages in street environments. Canon’s optical finder and touchscreen give tactile feedback preferred by some.

Verdict: Sony for nimbleness, Canon for traditionalists.

Macro

Neither camera offers built-in stabilization, but Canon’s broader lens ecosystem provides more macro options. Touchscreen focus aids precise targeting.

Verdict: Slight nod to Canon for macro work.

Night / Astro

Canon’s cleaner high ISO output combined with low-light AF performance makes it more trustworthy under stars. Sony delivers good dynamic range but noisier files.

Verdict: Canon leads night photography.

Video

Canon records Full HD up to 60p with usable autofocus and microphone/headphone jacks - ideal for serious hobbyist videographers. Sony supports additional formats like AVCHD and XAVC S but lacks headphone jack and touchscreen focus.

Verdict: Canon best for video hybrid shooters.

Travel

Sony’s lighter body and higher burst rates aid spontaneity, though shorter battery life is a drawback; Canon’s sturdier grip and longer battery life cater to extended trips.

Verdict: Depends on shooting style.

Professional Work

Canon’s wide lens availability, reliable UHS-1 card support, and trusted color science make it a dependable professional backup or primary option. Sony’s solid sensor and autofocus have niche appeal but smaller lens ecosystem may be limiting.

Overall Performance Ratings: Crunching the Numbers and Real-World Impressions

Our DxO overall metric places Sony A77 II with a slightly higher 82 points against Canon 80D’s 79, mainly on sensor size, dynamic range, and burst speed. However, this numerical gap belies the Canon’s superior usability aspects like touchscreen, battery life, and more natural color.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life - The Unsung Heroes

Both cameras provide built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for remote control and image transfer, accommodating modern workflows. Canon 80D’s battery life shines with nearly 960 shots per charge compared to Sony’s 480 shots - a critical differentiation for demanding shoots or travel.

Storage-wise, Canon supports SD cards (UHS-I) exclusively, while Sony uniquely adds Memory Stick Pro Duo compatibility. Canon’s USB 2.0 port and full-size HDMI support simplify tethered shooting or external monitoring.

Lenses and Ecosystem: The Backbone of Any DSLR Experience

Canon enjoys a thriving EF/EF-S lens lineup totaling over 326 lenses - including super-telephoto options superb for wildlife and sports. Coupled with excellent third-party support, this ensures future-proofing.

Sony’s Alpha mount, while smaller with about 143 native lenses, has improved with many quality native and adapted third-party options. However, price premiums and availability gaps remain for some focal lengths.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Should You Pick?

Choosing between these cameras boils down to your shooting priorities.

• If high-speed action, burst shooting, and a larger sensor are paramount, and you’re comfortable with non-touch controls and shorter battery life, the Sony A77 II stands out. Its EVF and sensor give it an edge in landscapes, sports, and wildlife.

• If you prefer a balanced tool with superior handling, intuitive touch control, better high-ISO shooting, and excellent video features - ideal for portraits, events, and hybrid shooters - the Canon 80D is a more versatile all-rounder.

Sample Images: See the Results Side-by-Side

To put theory into practice, I shot a diverse gallery under similar conditions. This includes portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and night scenes demonstrating each camera’s characteristic color palettes, noise handling, and detail.

Canon 80D front Canon 80D screen back Sony A77 II front Sony A77 II screen back

Close inspection reveals Canon’s smooth skin tones and cleaner shadow detail; Sony excels in dynamic range and exposure latitude with sharper texture portrayal.

Photography is a deeply personal pursuit, and each enthusiast's workflow differs. Both the Canon 80D and Sony A77 II have stood the test of time because of their careful balance of innovation and reliability. Equipped now with an evidence-based comparison, you’re better placed to select the camera that will faithfully convert your artistic vision into lasting images.

If you’d like a tailored recommendation based on specific photographic interests or budget, feel free to reach out - I’m always eager to help shape your next photographic steps.

Happy shooting!