Nikon D500 vs Sony A77

Following is a in-depth overview of the Nikon D500 vs Sony A77, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the D500 (21MP) and the A77 (24MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The D500 was revealed 4 years after the A77 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the D500 scores versus the A77 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D500 and Sony SLT-A77. The full galleries are viewable at Nikon D500 Gallery and Sony A77 Gallery.

If you're planning to carry around your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon D500 features exterior dimensions of 147mm x 115mm x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs) whilst the Sony A77 has sizing of 143mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") along with a weight of 732 grams (1.61 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D500 vs Sony A77 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the D500 vs the A77.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D500 and A77 is 56 and 59 respectively.

Typically, it is very tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes just by looking at a spec sheet. The image here might provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D500 and A77.

Clearly, both cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Sony A77 to give more detail because of its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The newer D500 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.