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Sony G3 vs Sony A77

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
 
Sony SLT-A77 front
Portability
59
Imaging
63
Features
83
Overall
71

Sony G3 vs Sony A77 Key Specs

Sony G3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2009
Sony A77
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 50 - 16000 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 732g - 143 x 104 x 81mm
  • Announced October 2011
  • Superseded the Sony A700
  • Updated by Sony A77 II
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Sony G3 vs Sony A77 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Sony G3 and Sony A77, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR and they are both offered by Sony. There exists a crucial gap among the sensor resolutions of the G3 (10MP) and A77 (24MP) and the G3 (1/2.3") and A77 (APS-C) have different sensor sizes.

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The G3 was introduced 3 years earlier than the A77 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Sony G3 being a Compact camera and the Sony A77 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short view of how the G3 scores against the A77 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Sony A77

 G3 A77 
Screen dimensions3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A77 over the Sony G3

 A77 G3 
AnnouncedOctober 2011January 2009More modern by 34 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Sony G3 and Sony A77

 G3 A77 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen resolution921k921kIdentical screen resolution

Sony G3 vs Sony A77 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Sony G3 offers physical measurements of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) whilst the Sony A77 has dimensions of 143mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") having a weight of 732 grams (1.61 lbs).

Look at the Sony G3 and Sony A77 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use at that time. The following is a front view size comparison of the G3 versus the A77.

Sony G3 vs Sony A77 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the G3 and A77 is 94 and 59 respectively.

Sony G3 vs Sony A77 top view buttons comparison

Sony G3 vs Sony A77 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to visualize the gap in sensor sizes just by seeing a spec sheet. The picture here might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the G3 and A77.

As you can see, the 2 cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The G3 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF trickier and the Sony A77 will show extra detail using its extra 14 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged G3 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Sony G3 vs Sony A77 sensor size comparison

Sony G3 vs Sony A77 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony G3 vs Sony A77 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony G3
Portrait photography with Sony A77
26
has manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
77
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony G3 as a Street photography camera
Sony A77 as a Street photography camera
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
74
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proof
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Sports Comparison

Sony G3 Sports photography highlights
Sony A77 Sports photography highlights
23
built in image stabilization (Optical)
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,000s)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
74
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
weather proof
comes with phase detect AF
not so great battery (470 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Sony G3 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A77 as a Travel photography camera
50
built-in flash
no Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
62
weather proof
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
does not have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery (470 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony G3 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A77 as a Landscape photography camera
36
has manual focus
lovely big screen (3.5")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Time Lapse function
71
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proof
not so great battery (470 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony G3 Vlogging factors
Sony A77 Vlogging factors
27
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
no external mic socket
76
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have mic port
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Sony G3 vs Sony A77 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony G3 and Sony A77
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3Sony SLT-A77
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 Sony SLT-A77
Class Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Launched 2009-01-08 2011-10-25
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 3200 16000
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 50
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 19
Cross focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.5-10.0 -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 921k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 1s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per second 12.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.30 m (Auto ISO) 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 185 gr (0.41 lb) 732 gr (1.61 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") 143 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 470 photos
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $200 $900