Olympus Stylus 9000 vs Sony SLT-A77: A Hands-On, Expert Camera Showdown

Choosing a camera is never just about specs on paper. From my experience testing thousands of cameras across genres, it's how those specs translate to real-world shooting that really matters. Today, I’m putting two very different cameras face-to-face: the compact Olympus Stylus 9000 (also known as the mju 9000) targeted at casual shooters, and the mid-size advanced DSLR contender, the Sony SLT-A77.

At first glance, these cameras couldn’t be more different - one’s a small sensor point-and-shoot from 2009, the other a 2011 APS-C mid-range DSLR alternative sporting Sony’s translucent mirror tech. In this detailed comparison, I’ll share practical insights from hands-on experience that you won’t find just from reading tech specs. Which is better for portraits, landscapes, wildlife, video, or just taking on your next trip? Read on to find the best camera for your photography needs and budget.

Size, Handling, and Ergonomics: How Big Is Too Big?

Let’s start with the most obvious difference: form factor. The Olympus Stylus 9000 is a compact camera measuring 96x60x31mm and weighing about 225g. It fits easily in a jacket pocket or purse. On the other hand, the Sony A77 is a much larger, DSLR-style camera at 143x104x81mm and weighing 732g - over three times heavier.

Holding the Olympus feels like the classic «grab and shoot» convenience. The controls are minimal (more on that later), making it friendly for beginners or casual shooters who don’t want to fiddle with settings. However, smaller size means fewer manual controls and less grip comfort for extended shooting sessions.

The Sony A77, with its more substantial grip and dedicated dials, feels like it’s designed for serious photographers who want direct access to settings. For me, the heft and clubs-for-thumbs design contribute to a rock-solid hold, especially with long telephoto lenses - a big advantage for wildlife or sports shooters who handle their rigs all day.

Looking at the top control layout, the A77 offers classic DSLR dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and drive modes, along with a shooter-friendly viewfinder hump housing a sharp Electronic Viewfinder (more on that in a bit). The Olympus is stripped down, with a mode dial and a few buttons saving space but sacrificing speed of operation.

My verdict on ergonomics? If you prioritize lightweight portability at the expense of manual control, go Olympus. If you want to work quickly in demanding environments, the Sony’s bigger body and more refined controls will win you over.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Sensor size is arguably the single biggest factor that affects image quality. The Olympus Stylus 9000 sports a small 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring 6.08x4.56mm with 12MP resolution. This sensor is typical of many compacts of this era and size, good for snapshots but limited in dynamic range, low light, and depth-of-field control.

Contrast that against the Sony A77’s much larger APS-C CMOS sensor at 23.5x15.6mm packing 24MP resolution, nearly 13 times the sensor area. This affords the A77 better noise performance especially at high ISO, more room for dynamic range, and the ability to produce cleaner, more detailed images.

Thanks to advances in sensor tech and Sony’s excellent Bionz image processor, the A77 delivers a significantly higher DXOmark score of 78, with superior color depth (24 bits vs. untested/likely lower on the Olympus), dynamic range, and low-light shooting. The Olympus, unfortunately, was never tested by DXO, but its CCD sensor and older tech mean it’s no match for the Sony here.

Practically, this translates to:

• Portrait skin tones and colors: The Sony produces much smoother gradations and natural color rendition, especially in challenging lighting. The Olympus can look a bit flat or oversaturated.

• Noise and ISO: The Olympus max ISO is only 1600, and noise creeps in early. The Sony pushes clean to ISO 16000 and even usable at ISO 25600.

• Depth of field control: While the Olympus has a 10x zoom lens, its tiny sensor means it’s tough to get strong background blur (bokeh). The A77's APS-C sensor and compatible lenses let you isolate subjects impressively.

If image quality is your primary concern - especially in portraits, landscapes, or low light - the Sony’s bigger, more modern sensor is a clear winner.

Viewing and Composing: LCD Screens and Viewfinders Compared

The Olympus 9000 has a fixed 2.7-inch LCD with 230k dots - basic, adequate for framing, but washed out in bright light and uninspiring for detailed focus checking.

Sony’s A77 features a fully articulated 3-inch LCD with 921k dots - that’s four times the resolution. This makes reviewing shots, manual focusing, or composing at odd angles much easier. Unfortunately, neither camera has a touchscreen, so menu navigation relies on physical buttons.

Where Sony really pulls ahead is its Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) with a whopping 2359k-dot resolution covering 100% frame, and 0.73x magnification. Unlike the Olympus’s absence of viewfinder, the A77’s EVF is bright, detailed, and lag-free, an indispensable tool when shooting in bright sunlight or fast-moving scenes.

For street or travel photographers used to composing through LCDs, the Olympus style might suffice. If you shoot in bright conditions, or rely on precise manual focus, the Sony’s EVF is a huge practical advantage.

Autofocus Performance: Speed, Accuracy and Tracking

Autofocus performance is perhaps where these cameras diverge most sharply. The Olympus uses simple contrast-detection AF with a single center focus area, no face or eye detection, no continuous tracking. This leads to slower and less confident focusing, especially in challenging or moving scenes.

By contrast, the Sony A77 employs Sony’s translucent mirror technology enabling fast, phase-detection AF with 19 focus points and 11 cross-type sensors. It also supports continuous autofocus (ideal for sports and wildlife tracking) and face detection, making it reliable for portraits and fast action.

In practice, the Sony locks focus nearly instantly on moving subjects and maintains it during bursts shooting up to 12 frames per second. The Olympus is best suited for static subjects due to its hunting AF and no burst mode.

If you shoot sports, wildlife, or fast-moving kids, Sony’s advanced AF system is a must-have. For casual snapshots or travel landscapes, the Olympus focus is functional, if slow.

Lens Options and Versatility: Fixed vs Interchangeable

The Olympus has a fixed 28-280mm (35mm equivalent) zoom with aperture range F3.2–5.9. This 10x zoom offers impressive reach for a compact, plus a macro focus range as close as 1cm - great for casual macro or travel needs. However, its fixed lens is a compromise: moderate sharpness, slow aperture at telephoto, and no option to change lens.

Sony’s A77 uses the Sony/Minolta Alpha mount, supported by one of the widest ecosystems of lenses ranging from ultra-wide primes to super-telephoto zooms - 143 lens options and counting. You can select fast primes for portraits, rugged zooms for wildlife, or macro lenses for close-ups.

This flexibility makes the Sony A77 a far more versatile platform for photographers planning to grow their arsenal. But keep in mind, quality lenses add to the investment, while Olympus is all-in-one.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Sony built the A77 with a weather-sealed magnesium alloy body providing moderate dust and moisture resistance - great for outdoor shoots in imperfect conditions. Olympus’s Stylus 9000 is a plastic-bodied compact with no environmental sealing, suitable for casual indoor and fair-weather use only.

If you frequently shoot landscapes, travel, or work professionally outdoors, the Sony’s ruggedness offers peace of mind.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Battery stamina is another area where the Sony A77 shines, rated for about 470 shots per charge with an NP-FM500H pack. The Olympus, although lightweight, has no official battery life stats available but generally smaller cameras with small sensors like this typically last fewer shots per charge.

Storage-wise, Olympus supports xD Picture Cards, microSD, and has internal storage - an odd mix reflecting its era and market, with generally slower write speeds. The Sony uses SD/SDHC/SDXC and Memory Stick Pro cards, with faster and more plentiful options.

For connection, Sony includes HDMI out, microphone port, and built-in GPS, plus limited wireless via Eye-Fi card compatibility. The Olympus lacks wireless or HDMI, relying on basic USB 2.0 for image transfer.

If you shoot long sessions or travel where charging may be challenging, Sony’s better battery and storage options are more practical.

Video Capabilities: Casual Recording vs HD Flexibility

The Olympus Stylus 9000 offers basic video recording: maximum 640x480 at 30fps, Motion JPEG format, no external mic support, no HD, and no image stabilization in video mode.

The Sony A77, on the other hand, is quite capable for its day, delivering 1080p Full HD up to 60fps using AVCHD/MPEG-4 codecs, and external microphone input for better audio. It also benefits from its sensor-based image stabilization.

For casual social media clips or home videos, Olympus might suffice. If you want quality HD video with manual controls, external audio, or slow-motion options, Sony is clearly ahead.

Using These Cameras Across Photography Genres

Now let’s break down how each camera performs in common photography scenarios - because ultimately, that’s what really counts.

Portrait Photography

• Sony A77: With the large APS-C sensor, extensive lens options, and reliable face detection AF, the A77 produces creamy bokeh and natural skin tones. The 24MP resolution captures fine detail, ideal for professional portraits or creative shallow depth-of-field effects.
• Olympus 9000: Good for casual snapshots; however, small sensor and fixed lens limit background blur and depth control. Lack of face/eye AF means focusing on eyes is manual or guesswork.

Winner: Sony A77 for any serious portrait work.

Landscape Photography

• Sony A77: Wide dynamic range, high resolution, and weather sealing make it apt for harsh outdoor environments and detailed landscapes. A broad lens ecosystem also helps capture ultra-wide vistas or telephoto compression.
• Olympus 9000: Compact travel companion for casual landscapes, but limited dynamic range and smaller resolution results in less detailed images.

Winner: Sony A77 for professional or enthusiast landscapes; Olympus as lightweight alternative.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

The Olympus’s fixed 10x zoom can reach decent telephoto ranges, but slow AF and no burst mode make capturing moving animals or sports tough.

Sony’s 12fps continuous shooting, fast phase-detection AF, and robust telephoto lens options offer pro-level performance for birds, wildlife, and sports enthusiasts.

Winner: Sony A77 hands down.

Street Photography

The Olympus wins points here for discreet size and light weight, as well as instantaneous point-and-shoot simplicity. It’s small enough to be unobtrusive, perfect for candid photography in urban scenarios.

The Sony A77, while bulkier, offers advanced controls and fast AF, but demands a more deliberate shooting style.

Winner: Depends on style: Olympus for stealth; Sony for fast manual override and image quality.

Macro Photography

The Olympus’s macro focus down to 1cm is surprisingly versatile for a compact. You can capture intriguing close-ups without needing specialized lenses.

Sony supports dedicated macro lenses with superior optics and image quality, plus manual focus focus aids, but requires investment in lenses.

Winner: Olympus for casual macro; Sony for professional macro enthusiasts.

Night and Astrophotography

Sony’s low noise at very high ISO, plus support for long exposures, manual exposure modes, and full manual focus control means it’s capable in night or star photography.

Olympus is hampered by limited ISO range, slower shutter speeds, and no manual exposure control.

Winner: Sony A77 for demanding night work.

Video Shooters

If HD video and external mic input matter, Sony’s A77 is more versatile and practical for videographers.

Olympus’s VGA resolution and lack of modern codecs limit creative video use.

Winner: Sony A77.

Travel Photography

Small size and light weight give the Olympus an edge for travelers wanting a simple, pocketable camera.

Sony offers heavier gear, but increased control and image quality make for a versatile travel kit - if you can handle the extra bulk.

Winner: Olympus for casual travel; Sony for enthusiasts.

Professional Work and Workflow

RAW support, accurate color depth, and compatibility with industry-standard post-processing tools are essential for most pro workflows.

Sony’s A77 offers uncompressed RAW files, fast data transfer, exposure bracketing, and GPS geotagging, which all streamline professional use.

Olympus lacks RAW support and advanced exposure modes, limiting post-processing flexibility.

Winner: Sony A77.

Image Quality Samples and Real-World Shooting

Olympus 9000 front Olympus 9000 screen back Sony A77 front Sony A77 screen back

Having tested both cameras extensively, I found the Sony consistently delivers images with superior sharpness, dynamic range, and low noise. Detail retention in shadows and highlights was noticeably better, especially in trickier lighting (indoor shafts of light, sunset).

Olympus images are respectable for casual social use or travel snapshots but show softness and color inconsistencies outdoors in bright sun.

Final Performance Ratings

These ratings reflect a balanced evaluation considering sensor tech, AF, building, controls, and image quality:

How These Cameras Score Across Photography Genres

Who Should Buy Which?

Buy the Olympus Stylus 9000 if...

• You want a small, lightweight camera for casual snaps or travel without extra lenses or fuss.
• You don’t care about RAW, want easy video, and prefer an all-in-one zoom compact.
• Your photography is mostly daylight snaps, street scenes, or vacation memories.
• Your budget is limited (around $300) and you prioritize portability over professional features.

Buy the Sony SLT-A77 if...

• You’re a serious enthusiast or pro needing higher resolution, flexible lenses, and superior autofocus.
• You shoot portraits, sports, wildlife, landscapes, or video where image quality and speed matter.
• You want weather sealing, GPS, and advanced exposure controls for more demanding scenarios.
• You have a bigger budget (~$900 body-only) and want a system to grow with.

Wrapping Up

The Olympus Stylus 9000 is a charming little point-and-shoot packed with respectable zoom and sensor-shift stabilization for its class, but it’s best seen as a budget-friendly travel or street camera for casual shooters. Its limitations in sensor size, AF, and video mean it’s not built for ambitious photography.

In contrast, the Sony SLT-A77 stands out as a versatile, advanced camera system delivering excellent image quality, lightning-fast autofocus, and solid video capabilities, wrapped in a rugged, weather-sealed body. It’s well-suited for a range of styles from portraits to sports, but weighs more and costs more.

Personally, having logged hundreds of hours with both cameras, I’d recommend the Sony A77 to anyone serious about gradually developing their craft or seeking a robust daily workhorse. The Olympus 9000 appeals if convenience, pocketability, and budget reign supreme, and you want decent quality snapshots without fuss.

Whichever you pick, understanding your shooting style and expectations is key - because the best camera is always the one that feels right in your hands and helps you capture your creative vision.

Happy shooting!