Sony HX80 vs Sony A77 II: A Detailed Comparison for Photographers of All Stripes

When choosing a camera, the sheer range of options - from pocketable compacts to hefty DSLRs - can be paralyzing. Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-HX80 and the Sony SLT-A77 II represent two vastly different philosophies in photography: the compact superzoom versus the advanced mid-size SLR with a translucent mirror. I’ve spent years testing varied models under demanding conditions, and today I want to walk you through an in-depth, side-by-side exploration of these two.

By the end, you’ll understand which camera fits particular use cases, where compromises lie, and how each stands up technically and practically. Let’s dig in.

First Impressions: The Size, Feel, and Physical Design

Before we get into sensors and autofocus, the tactile experience matters - a lot. Handling impacts how comfortably and confidently you shoot.

Sony HX80 (left) is petite with compact curves; Sony A77 II (right) is a bulkier, traditional DSLR form.

The Sony HX80 is a compact marvel, fitting easily into a jacket pocket or small bag. Its modest 245g weight means you’re unlikely to tire from carrying it all day - a boon for street and travel photographers craving discretion and convenience.

By contrast, the A77 II is a considerably larger, heavier, and more substantial beast at 647g and DSLR-like dimensions. This size allows for a robust grip, comprehensive control layout, and balanced handling when paired with longer lenses.

The ergonomics align perfectly with their intended users: the HX80’s simplicity appeals to casual and enthusiast shooters who want one tool to go from vacation snaps to wildlife zoom-ins; the A77 II’s heft and extensive controls reward those who want precise manual operation and plan for intensive use over extended sessions.

Control Layout & User Interface: Navigating Your Shooting Experience

A glance at top panels reveals intuitive yet different philosophies: minimalism vs. command center.

The HX80’s limited physical buttons keep it approachable but mean you often rely on menus for advanced settings. Typical superzoom cameras trade some direct controls for compactness, which can slow workflow under pressure.

The A77 II, on the other hand, boasts an abundance of dials, dedicated exposure buttons, and an electronic viewfinder (EVF) with a high-resolution display (2359 dots). This empowers seasoned photographers who want instant changes mid-shoot - aperture, shutter speed, ISO, all at the thumb’s reach.

While the HX80 has a tilting 3-inch screen with decent 921k-dot resolution, the A77 II ups the ante with a fully articulated 3-inch screen at 1229k dots, aiding composition at awkward angles - a nod to video shooters and creative stills.

Back LCDs showing articulation capabilities and screen clarity.

The absence of touchscreen functionality on both cameras might feel limiting today, especially on the HX80 where menu navigation can be fiddly. But the tactile buttons on the A77 II somewhat mitigate this.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Core Difference

Few specs differentiate these cameras more than their sensors.

1/2.3" sensor in HX80 (tiny dots) versus APS-C sensor in A77 II (much larger surface area).

The HX80 features a small 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensor measuring just 28.07 mm², offering 18MP resolution. It’s designed for convenience and versatility rather than ultimate image quality. The back-illuminated design helps in low-light, but noise becomes apparent above ISO 800. This limits the camera’s usability in dim environments without flash. Its 30x zoom lens (24-720mm equivalent) with a starting aperture of f/3.5 is remarkable for compact form factors, blending reach and portability.

The A77 II, meanwhile, takes a big leap forward with a 23.5 x 15.6 mm APS-C sensor (366.6 mm²) - about 13 times larger than the HX80’s sensor area - offering 24MP native resolution. This sensor size intrinsically delivers better dynamic range, higher color fidelity, and significantly improved low-light performance.

Technical measurements confirm this: DxOMark’s analysis ranks the A77 II with an overall score of 82, color depth of 24.4 bits, and a dynamic range of 13.4 EV stops. Low light ISO performance hovers around ISO 1013, meaning that grain stays controlled and detail is preserved well beyond standard ambient light conditions.

The HX80 hasn’t been formally tested by DxOMark, but experience tells us smaller sensors simply trade quality for compactness and zoom reach.

This difference shines in real-world shooting - landscapes with high dynamic range, portraits with smooth tonal transitions, and astrophotography sessions with surprisingly low noise on the A77 II.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Precision, and Tracking

Autofocus performance can make or break shots, especially when photographing moving subjects.

The HX80 uses contrast-detection autofocus with face detection and multi-area AF. It supports continuous AF and tracking but lacks phase detection AF or eye/animal detection. Its 10 fps burst mode is impressive for a compact but is constrained by buffer limitations.

The A77 II is equipped with Sony’s advanced Translucent Mirror Technology and an impressive hybrid autofocus system featuring 79 phase-detection points (15 cross-type) coupled with contrast-detection. This design allows for full-time phase detection even during live view or video, enabling eye-level “through-the-lens” viewing with fast, accurate subject acquisition and tracking.

Testing shows the A77 II’s AF system excels in sports and wildlife scenarios, easily locking onto erratic movements, with high hit rates and minimal hunting even in dimmer conditions.

Lens Compatibility and Versatility: The Optical Arsenal

One often overlooked factor is the lens ecosystem that extends a camera’s usability over years.

The HX80 sports a fixed 24-720mm (equiv.) zoom lens with f/3.5-6.4 aperture. While handy for travel and general snapshots, you’re limited to what this lens offers - no swapping for prime lenses or specialized glass.

The A77 II uses the Sony/Minolta Alpha mount, compatible with over 140 lenses ranging from ultra-wide fisheyes to telephoto beasts and premium primes. This flexibility is a huge advantage for professionals and serious enthusiasts who demand specific optics for portraits, macro, astrophotography, or everything in between.

For macro work, for example, attaching a dedicated macro lens lets the A77 II achieve magnifications and sharp focus precision impossible with the HX80’s fixed lens, which gives a minimum focusing distance of 5cm but lacks dedicated macro optics.

Burst Speed, Video, and Stabilization: Capturing the Action

Both cameras shoot Full HD video up to 60p with various codecs including AVCHD and XAVC S.

The HX80 offers optical image stabilization in the lens, ideal for handheld video and long zoom shots where handshake is magnified but does not support external microphones or headphone jacks, limiting audio control.

The A77 II goes further with sensor-based stabilization, which benefits all attached lenses - not just optically stabilized ones - and includes a microphone input for improved sound recording, though it lacks headphone output for monitoring.

Burst shooting rates put the HX80 and A77 II neck and neck on paper: 10 fps and 12 fps respectively. In practice, the A77 II sustains these frame rates longer thanks to better buffer memory and faster card writing speeds. This makes the A77 II superior for sports and wildlife action bursts.

Durability, Weather Sealing, and Battery Life: Shooting Out in the Wild

Neither camera is ruggedized in the extreme outdoors sense, but the A77 II offers some environmental sealing - a welcome feature if you shoot outdoors in variable conditions.

The HX80 is entirely unsealed.

Battery life slightly favors the A77 II with about 480 shots per charge versus 390 for the HX80. While not a huge margin, it matters for extended shoots without charging options.

Connectivity and Storage: Modern Touchpoints

Both cameras pack Wi-Fi and NFC for wireless sharing and pairing with smart devices. USB 2.0 and HDMI output ports enable direct tethered shooting or playback on external monitors.

Both support SD cards (SDHC/SDXC) and Memory Stick cards but only the A77 II supports reading and writing RAW files, essential for professional editing workflows.

Real-World Shooting: How Do They Perform Out of the Box?

Sony HX80 front Sony HX80 screen back Sony A77 II front Sony A77 II screen back

Walking through portraits, landscape, wildlife, and street photography:

• Portraits: The A77 II’s larger sensor results in more natural skin tones, smoother bokeh, and better eye detail, boosted by precise eye-detection AF. The HX80’s smaller sensor and fixed lens render portraits competent but with less creamy backgrounds and softening.

• Landscapes: The dynamic range and resolution difference is palpable - the A77 II’s images hold detail in shadows and highlights better, making it superior for challenging lighting.

• Wildlife and sports: The A77 II’s burst speed, tracking AF, and telephoto lens options allow it to track fast wildlife more reliably. The HX80’s 30x zoom is convenient but slower AF limits success rates.

• Street and travel: The HX80 shines here due to compact size and near-silent operation. The A77 II’s bulk makes it a bit more conspicuous, but delivers better control.

• Macro: Only the A77 II offers precision focusing with tailored lenses. The HX80 only manages casual macro.

• Night and astrophotography: The A77 II shines with better ISO performance and longer exposures thanks to superior sensor tech.

Overall Performance Ratings and Genre-Specific Scores

Verdict and Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Sony HX80 if:

• You want a pocketable, lightweight camera with a huge zoom range.
• Your photography is casual or travel-oriented, prioritizing convenience.
• You need an affordable, straightforward tool without fuss.
• Video shooting is out of casual use, without the need for external mics.
• You appreciate simplicity and minimal setup.

Choose the Sony A77 II if:

• You demand superior image quality, dynamic range, and low-light capability from an APS-C sensor.
• You’re serious about various genres: portraits, wildlife, sports, macro, or landscape.
• You want an extensive lens ecosystem and manual control.
• Video capture with external audio options matters.
• You shoot frequently, requiring durable build and longer battery life.
• Professional-level RAW workflow is in your future.

Final Thoughts

Comparing the Sony HX80 to the A77 II is, in essence, comparing an all-in-one travel zoom compact to a professional-grade interchangeable lens camera. Both have their place.

For pure enthusiasts and pros seeking quality, control, and long-term growth, the A77 II is the clear winner, despite its weight and higher price.

For casual shooters and wanderers craving reach and compactness in one neat package, the HX80 ticks those boxes perfectly and at a wallet-friendly price.

Ultimately, understanding your workflows, shooting style, and priorities will steer you to the ideal choice. As someone who has tested thousands of cameras, I find that knowing the compromises and trade-offs is as important as knowing specs. Both cameras deliver in their respective arenas, but choosing one means committing to a specific photographic lifestyle.

Happy shooting!