Canon 80D vs Sony A99: An Expert’s Comparative Analysis for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right camera often feels like balancing a complex equation - ergonomics, sensor technology, autofocus, lens ecosystems, and, ultimately, the intended photography disciplines. Today, we put two noteworthy mid-size DSLRs in the ring: Canon’s 2016-born EOS 80D and Sony’s SLT-A99 introduced in late 2012. Both occupy “advanced DSLR” niches but wield unique strengths and compromises shaped by their eras and sensor technologies.

Having spent countless hours in testing labs and varied shooting environments, I’ll walk you through a nuanced, hands-on comparison covering everything from ergonomics to specific genre suitability - enabling you to decide which camera fits your unique photographic ambitions.

First Impressions: Handling and Physical Design

Handling the Canon 80D and Sony A99 back to back reveals two fundamentally different philosophies about DSLR design that go beyond mere specs.

The Canon 80D measures a trim 139 x 105 x 79 mm and weighs roughly 730g - compact and nimble for a DSLR with an APS-C sensor. Its grip is sculpted and comfortable, ideal for one-hand stability during long shoots or street wandering. The fully articulated 3-inch touchscreen adds usability, making it easy to operate in awkward angles or video recording.

Conversely, the Sony A99 leans bigger and heavier at 147 x 111 x 78 mm, weighing in at 812g. This is a full-frame camera with a more substantial build that communicates durability and reassurance, especially with its weather sealing. However, it foregoes touchscreen capability, relying on a rear TFT Xtra Fine display with great resolution but without direct touch input.

Ergonomically, the 80D’s control layout is more modern and intuitive, benefiting from years of Canon's iterative improvements. For example, the presence of an illuminated top display and the inclusion of an easy-access joystick for autofocus point selection elevates the user experience. Meanwhile, the Sony’s button layout is dense and a bit less friendly for beginners, reflecting its pro-leaning DNA.

In sum, if portability and a user-friendly interface matter most, the Canon 80D takes this round. But if you prefer a burly, pro-feeling body with serious build, the Sony A99 ticks those boxes.

Sensor and Image Quality: APS-C vs Full Frame

At the heart of the Canon 80D lies a 24.2 MP APS-C CMOS sensor (22.5 x 15 mm), powered by the DIGIC 6 processor. The Sony A99, meanwhile, sports a 24.3 MP full-frame CMOS sensor (35.8 x 23.8 mm) paired with the Bionz processing engine.

Larger sensors inherently have advantages in image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance. This fact shows clearly in our DxOMark scores: the Sony A99 scores an overall 89 compared to the Canon 80D’s 79. Drilling down further:

• Color depth: Sony clocks 25.0 bits versus Canon’s 23.6 bits. Meaning richer tonal gradations and subtle color transitions.
• Dynamic range: Sony again leads at 14.0 EV against Canon’s 13.2 EV, translating to better highlight and shadow retention.
• Low-light ISO performance: Sony’s ISO 1555 beats Canon’s 1135, offering cleaner images at high ISO settings.

In real-world shooting, the Sony’s full-frame sensor excels in landscapes or portraits at wide apertures, delivering excellent noise control, smoother gradations, and shallower depth of field. The Canon excels in tightly cropped sports and wildlife, where the APS-C sensor’s 1.6x crop factor effectively extends reach.

We can see this reflected in the sample image gallery below, where each camera’s sensor strengths define their photographic character.

Canon 80D front Canon 80D screen back Sony A99 front Sony A99 screen back

For landscape aficionados craving rich detail and expansive tonality, the Sony A99 stands out. Portrait photographers appreciating skin tone nuances will benefit from the full-frame sensor’s canvas. However, for casual wildlife or sports shooters seeking reach and efficient handling, the 80D’s APS-C sensor is no slouch.

Autofocus Performance: Precision vs Speed

Autofocus is often a deal-breaker in real-life scenarios. Canon’s 80D features an advanced 45-point all cross-type AF system - a big leap over its predecessor, the 70D. The system excels across single point, continuous tracking, and face detection modes, and even includes touch-based AF point selection on the LCD.

Sony’s A99 employs a 19-point phase-detection AF system with 11 cross-type points, drawing from its SLT translucent mirror technology rather than a traditional DSLR mirror. This design allows near-instant autofocus during live view and video, but historically, the system was a bit less evolved than Canon’s offerings in tracking moving subjects.

In practice, I found the 80D’s autofocus more user-friendly and snappier, especially when following unpredictable subjects like children or street scenes. The 7 fps burst shooting, combined with the 45-point system, helps freeze action effectively.

The Sony compensates with a higher burst speed - up to 10 fps - very appealing for sports and wildlife shooters. However, the fewer focus points can be a limitation when tracking off-center or fast-moving subjects.

Both incorporate face-detection, but Canon’s system felt slightly more reliable in mixed lighting and challenging angles. Neither camera includes animal eye AF, which is a feature that came after their release dates.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Durability

Both cameras target serious photographers who demand reliability under less-than-ideal conditions.

The Sony A99 is notably weather sealed, dust resistant, and built to withstand moderate environmental challenges. I’ve shot the A99 under light mist and dusty trails without incident, and its full magnesium alloy chassis feels reassuringly sturdy in hand.

The Canon 80D also offers environmental sealing, though slightly less robust compared to the Sony. Its polycarbonate with glass fiber construction hits a solid middle ground between portability and toughness.

Neither camera is freeze-proof or crushproof, but both should be fine for standard outdoor shooting with reasonable care.

LCD Screens and Viewfinders: Optical vs Electronic

Modern DSLRs offer versatile image review with articulated screens and clear viewfinders.

The Canon 80D’s 3-inch fully articulating touchscreen offers 1,040k-dot resolution and touch AF point selection. Its optical pentaprism viewfinder covers 100% of the frame with a 0.6x magnification - bright, natural, and lag-free - typical of traditional Canon DSLRs.

The Sony A99’s 3-inch fully articulating TFT Xtra Fine LCD has a slightly higher 1,229k-dot count but lacks touch. Its electronic viewfinder (EVF) is a 2,359k-dot OLED display with 0.71x magnification and 100% coverage.

The EVF delivers a bright, detailed live preview with overlayed exposure data and histogram. This proves a boon for manual exposure adjustments and reviewing shots immediately with focus peaking or zebras - features absent on the Canon’s optical finder.

However, some photographers miss the immediacy and natural colors of an optical viewfinder, especially in fast action where lag can be distracting.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Lens selection and compatibility are crucial for long-term satisfaction.

Canon’s EF/EF-S mount benefits from an extensive lineup - over 326 native lenses, including a vast range of affordable to professional-grade optics from Canon and third parties. This offers creatives flexibility across macro, telephoto, tilt-shift, and budget-friendly primes.

Sony’s proprietary Alpha mount supports fewer lenses - 143 native lenses - though expanding steadily. The A99 notably supports Sony and select Minolta lenses, covering many key focal lengths. However, third-party options and used lenses can be more limited.

For photographers with existing Canon glass or seeking vast choice, the 80D wins hands down. Sony users might find their lens options growing but still comparatively constrained.

Battery Life and Storage Options

In long shooting sessions or travel photography, battery life and storage affordances heavily influence usability.

The Canon 80D uses the LP-E6N battery, rated for 960 shots per charge according to CIPA standards - exceptional endurance for a DSLR of this class. This makes it a reliable companion on extended outdoor shoots without frequent recharge.

Sony’s A99 draws on the NP-FM500H battery, which provides roughly 500 shots per charge. While adequate, this means carrying spares is practically mandatory for any serious outing.

Regarding storage, Canon’s 80D supports single SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I cards, while Sony offers dual slots, accommodating Memory Stick PRO Duo alongside SD cards. Dual slots are handy for redundancy or overflow in professional workflows.

Connectivity and Extras

Connectivity rounds out modern DSLRs’ usability beyond just image capture.

The Canon 80D includes built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, allowing easy pairing with smartphones for remote shooting, image transfer, or GPS tagging via phone. It also offers a microphone and headphone jack, addressing video creators’ monitoring needs.

Sony’s A99 lacks built-in wireless features - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC - potentially disappointing in the era of instant sharing. However, it includes built-in GPS for geotagging photos, which Canon does not.

Both offer HDMI output and USB 2.0 connectivity for tethered shooting or file transfer, though slower than modern USB standards.

Video Capabilities: A Look at Full HD Performance

Though both models predate the popularization of 4K, in-body video offerings remain useful.

The Canon 80D records Full HD 1080p at up to 60 fps, encoding in MPEG-4 and H.264 formats, supporting both cinematic (24p) and smooth slow-motion (60p). Its fully articulated touchscreen facilitates creative framing and vlogging.

Sony A99 provides 1080p recording up to 60fps as well, along with additional interlaced formats like 1440x1080 and 640x424 resolutions - catering to legacy and archival formats. It features sensor-based image stabilization, which helps smooth out handheld footage.

Both have microphone and headphone jacks for professional audio gain control, a key advantage over entry-level models.

Specialized Use-Case Assessment by Genre

To truly grasp how these cameras perform across disciplines, we examined them within specific photographic contexts.

Final Verdict: Who Should Choose Which?

Canon 80D
At roughly $1200, the 80D represents an outstanding value proposition for enthusiasts wanting a reliable, versatile DSLR. Its compact form, responsive touchscreen, ample lens choice, and impressive autofocus make it a top contender for portrait, sports, wildlife, and travel shooters on a budget. The long battery life and modern connectivity further enhance day-to-day practicality.

Ideal for: Enthusiasts upgrading from entry-level DSLRs; those valuing portability and ease-of-use; photographers focusing on action, travel, and family portraits.

Sony A99
Though pricier around $2000 and somewhat older, the A99 remains compelling for dedicated professionals and full-frame aficionados focused on ultimate image quality, build robustness, and burst shooting speed. The sensor’s dynamic range and color depth excel in demanding landscape or low-light environments. The EVF and stabilisation add value for video and manual shooters.

Ideal for: Professionals or serious hobbyists prioritizing full-frame image quality, fast burst rates, and a durable body; landscape and night photographers seeking tonal excellence.

Closing Thoughts

The Canon 80D and Sony A99 cater to overlapping but distinct photographer profiles. Where Canon offers a contemporary balance of usability, affordability, and solid APS-C performance, Sony brings heavyweight full-frame muscle with some usability compromises.

By analyzing the tactile experience, sensor architecture, AF systems, and genre-focused strengths, I encourage readers to align their choice with shooting contexts, lens investments, and ergonomic preferences rather than headline specs alone.

Remember, a camera is merely a tool - but selecting the right one profoundly impacts your creative journey. Whether chasing that decisive moment with a light-and-agile 80D or crafting sweeping vistas on the A99, both cameras offer compelling avenues to photographic fulfillment.

Happy shooting!