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Nikon D780 vs Sony A77

Portability
57
Imaging
76
Features
89
Overall
81
Nikon D780 front
 
Sony SLT-A77 front
Portability
59
Imaging
63
Features
83
Overall
71

Nikon D780 vs Sony A77 Key Specs

Nikon D780
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 840g - 144 x 116 x 76mm
  • Launched January 2020
  • Old Model is Nikon D750
Sony A77
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 50 - 16000 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 732g - 143 x 104 x 81mm
  • Introduced October 2011
  • Succeeded the Sony A700
  • Successor is Sony A77 II
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Nikon D780 vs Sony A77 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Nikon D780 vs Sony A77, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the D780 (25MP) and the A77 (24MP) is pretty similar but the D780 (Full frame) and A77 (APS-C) provide different sensor sizing.

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The D780 was announced 8 years later than the A77 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting into a full comparison, here is a concise view of how the D780 grades against the A77 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D780 over the Sony A77

 D780 A77 
IntroducedJanuary 2020October 2011Fresher by 100 months
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2359k921kCrisper screen (+1438k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A77 over the Nikon D780

 A77 D780 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Nikon D780 and Sony A77

 D780 A77 
Focus manually Dial exact focus

Nikon D780 vs Sony A77 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera, you're going to have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon D780 has exterior dimensions of 144mm x 116mm x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") and a weight of 840 grams (1.85 lbs) whilst the Sony A77 has measurements of 143mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") having a weight of 732 grams (1.61 lbs).

See the Nikon D780 vs Sony A77 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the D780 and the A77.

Nikon D780 vs Sony A77 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the D780 and A77 is 57 and 59 respectively.

Nikon D780 vs Sony A77 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D780 vs Sony A77 Sensor Comparison

Often, its hard to visualize the difference between sensor sizing purely by going over a spec sheet. The photograph below will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D780 and A77.

Clearly, both of the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The D780 using its bigger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh easier and the Nikon D780 will offer you more detail with its extra 1MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The more modern D780 provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D780 vs Sony A77 sensor size comparison

Nikon D780 vs Sony A77 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D780 vs Sony A77 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D780
Portrait photography with Sony A77
85
you can focus manually
excellent MP (25 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection focus
supports RAW formats
77
manual focus
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D780 Street photography highlights
Sony A77 Street photography highlights
71
screen tilts
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
supports focus via touch
environment proof
good high ISO (51,200)
no image stabilization
74
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D780
Sports photography with Sony A77
81
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
excellent MP (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proof
better than average battery pack (2,260 shots)
supports phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
74
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
weather sealing
has phase detect auto focus
low battery pack (470 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D780 Travel photography info
Sony A77 Travel photography info
71
better than average battery pack (2,260 CIPA)
environment proof
has bluetooth
supports focus via touch
excellent MP (25 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
62
weather sealing
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
lack of Timelapse mode
low battery pack (470 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D780 Landscape photography info
Sony A77 Landscape photography info
81
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
excellent MP (25 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
better than average battery pack (2,260 shots)
has dual storage slots
no image stabilization
71
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
low battery pack (470 per charge)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D780 Vlogging highlights
Sony A77 Vlogging highlights
32
touchscreen functionality
supports face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with external mic jack
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
76
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external microphone support
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Nikon D780 vs Sony A77 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D780 and Sony A77
 Nikon D780Sony SLT-A77
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D780 Sony SLT-A77
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2020-01-07 2011-10-25
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 6 Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 25 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6048 x 4024 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 51200 16000
Maximum enhanced ISO 204800 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 50
RAW data
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 51 19
Cross focus points 15 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 2,359k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.73x
Features
Min shutter speed 900s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames per second 12.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 840 grams (1.85 lb) 732 grams (1.61 lb)
Physical dimensions 144 x 116 x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") 143 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 78
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.2
DXO Low light score not tested 801
Other
Battery life 2260 photos 470 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15b NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Two One
Launch pricing $2,297 $900