Sony TX200V vs Sony A77 II

Sony TX200V vs Sony A77 II: An In-Depth Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts and Professionals

Selecting the right camera requires careful consideration of your photographic ambitions, ergonomics preferences, and technical demands, especially when comparing vastly different models. Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-TX200V - a 2012 ultracompact model - and the 2014 mid-sized Sony SLT-A77 II Advanced DSLR represent two distinct tiers in Sony’s camera lineup, targeting divergent user requirements. With extensive hands-on experience testing thousands of cameras, this article offers a deep dive into how these two cameras measure up across major photographic disciplines, technical specifications, and real-world usability.

Design and Ergonomics: Portability Versus Control

The Sony TX200V epitomizes portability. Its sleek, ultracompact magnesium alloy body measures a mere 96 x 58 x 16 mm and weighs only 129 grams, making it truly pocketable for casual travel, street photography, and everyday documentation. The fixed lens setup keeps the design minimalistic but limits flexibility.

Conversely, the Sony A77 II is a mid-sized SLR-style camera with robust magnesium alloy construction and weather sealing designed to endure professional use. Its dimensions (143 x 104 x 81 mm) and weight (647 grams) reflect the heft expected from an advanced DSLR, offering a substantial grip and more dedicated controls.

Examining the top controls, the A77 II provides extensive manual dials, an illuminated shutter button, and customizable function buttons affording instant access to settings - a boon for professionals. Sony’s inclusion of a top LCD on the A77 II is valuable for reviewing critical parameters without engaging the rear screen.

The TX200V’s minimalist approach utilizes mostly touchscreen controls on its fixed 3.3-inch OLED screen, lacking top-panel customization and any electronic or optical viewfinder, which may feel limiting to experienced photographers accustomed to physical dials.

Regarding user interface, the A77 II’s 3-inch fully articulating screen (1,229,000 dots) enables versatile shooting angles and self-portrait friendliness, pleasing content creators demanding compositional freedom. The TX200V also has a 3.3-inch XtraFine TruBlack OLED with 1,230,000 dots offering excellent clarity, but its fixed position and reliance on touchscreen navigation limit physical feedback.

Sensor Technology: Compact Crop vs. APS-C Advantage

Sensor size and quality critically influence image aesthetics and performance. The TX200V houses an 18-megapixel 1/2.3" BSI CMOS sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm (28.07 mm²), typical of ultracompacts, while the A77 II boasts a 24-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor of 23.5 x 15.6 mm (366.6 mm²), over 13 times larger in area.

In practical terms, the smaller sensor in the TX200V restricts dynamic range, low-light sensitivity, and depth-of-field control, albeit boosting camera compactness. Conversely, the A77 II’s larger APS-C sensor inherently provides superior noise handling, color depth (DxO 24.4 bits), and dynamic range (13.4 stops, according to DxO benchmarks).

During hands-on testing, the A77 II delivered cleaner images up to ISO 3200 with usable detail retention at ISO 6400, while the TX200V’s noise became pronounced beyond ISO 800. For landscape photographers reliant on expansive tonal gradations or night photographers seeking low noise at high ISOs, the A77 II’s sensor performance decisively outperforms.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Coverage, and Accuracy

The autofocus (AF) mechanism differentiates casual photography from capturing split-second moments in wildlife or sports.

The TX200V employs a contrast-detection AF with 9 focus points and face detection but lacks phase detection or continuous AF tracking, limiting its ability to maintain focus on fast-moving subjects. It provides touch-to-focus functionality but no advanced animal-eye AF or continuous AF during burst shooting.

By contrast, the Sony A77 II integrates Sony’s renowned Translucent Mirror Technology with a 79-point phase-detection AF system (including 15 cross points), enabling rapid, highly accurate autofocus with subject tracking and Eye AF functionality. This hybrid AF system excels in maintaining focus on erratically moving subjects with near-instantaneous focus acquisition.

Testing in dynamic scenarios - such as bird flight or soccer matches - confirms the A77 II’s superior predictability and reliability, especially in tracking continuous AF. The TX200V, while adequate for static or strolling street subjects, struggles to keep pace when action accelerates.

Burst and Shutter Speed: Capturing Decisive Moments

The TX200V offers a maximum shutter speed of 1/1600s and a burst rate of 10 fps in JPEG but lacks RAW support or shutter priority modes. This constrains creative control and limits its utility in bright conditions demanding ultra-fast shutter speeds to freeze motion.

The A77 II covers an impressive shutter speed range from 30 seconds to 1/8000 second, offering comprehensive exposure control with shutter, aperture, and manual modes. Its burst shooting tops 12 fps with continuous autofocus and can leverage raw capture, empowering professional workflows requiring frame-rate and post-processing flexibility.

In sports and wildlife photography, these shutter speeds and burst capabilities make a substantive difference in seizing unpredictable action, a domain where the A77 II distinctly outperforms the TX200V.

Lens Compatibility and System Expandability

The TX200V incorporates a fixed 28-140mm equivalent zoom lens (F3.5-4.8) with a 5x optical zoom. While versatile for general purpose use, this fixed zoom cannot match the flexibility of interchangeable lens systems, notably limiting creative depth-of-field control or ultra-wide to super-telephoto reach.

By contrast, the A77 II uses Sony’s α-mount, boasting compatibility with over 140 lenses, including primes, macro, super-telephoto, and specialty optics, plus third-party lenses from Zeiss, Sigma, and Tamron, offering photographers vast creative latitude.

This extensive lens ecosystem is invaluable for professionals pursuing precise control across disciplines including portraiture, macro, wildlife, landscapes, and videography.

Image Stabilization and Low Light Performance

The TX200V integrates an optical image stabilization system built into the lens, offering limited compensation suitable primarily for casual handheld shooting.

The A77 II incorporates sensor-shift stabilization, compensating for shakes regardless of lens used - an advantage when pairing long telephoto or prime lenses without built-in stabilization.

Low-light performance is further enhanced on the A77 II by higher native ISO limits (up to 25,600 vs. 12,800), with the larger sensor preserving detail and minimizing noise, key for indoor events, astrophotography, or evening street scenes.

Video Capabilities: Full HD and Beyond

Video recording has become indispensable for content creators. The TX200V supports Full HD 1080p video at up to 60 fps in AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats. However, it lacks microphone inputs, headphone jacks, and advanced codecs, and the fixed lens limits framing flexibility.

The A77 II records Full HD at 60p, 60i, and 30p with support for professional-level XAVC S codec, enabling richer color grading capabilities. Additionally, its microphone input allows external audio recording, vital for high-quality sound monitoring during interviews or short films.

Neither camera offers 4K capture or in-body 5-axis stabilization (common in later models), but the A77 II’s articulating screen combined with manual exposure controls makes it substantially more capable for professional video work.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing

Both cameras feature environmental sealing, but the dimensions and robustness vary.

The TX200V claims weather resistance sufficient for dust and light rain, making it suitable for light outdoor use. Its ultracompact dimensions impose ergonomic compromises for extended sessions.

The A77 II, designed for professional and enthusiast photographers, offers more comprehensive weather sealing and greater resistance to dust and moisture ingress, alongside a rugged body suited to demanding fieldwork, including wildlife or adventure photography.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery endurance greatly impacts shooting longevity during travel or extensive sessions. The TX200V uses the NP-BN battery, rated at approximately 220 shots per charge - a limitation for intensive shooting days.

The A77 II doubles that, with an NP-FM500H battery capable of approximately 480 shots per charge (CIPA standard), approximately doubling operational lifespan, a decisive advantage for long photo shoots or travel.

Regarding storage, the A77 II supports SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards alongside Memory Stick Pro Duo formats, offering expanded, high-speed storage options preferred by professionals. The TX200V’s use of Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo cards, now largely superseded, combined with a single card slot, may inconvenience those needing high-capacity, cost-efficient storage.

Connectivity and GPS: Staying Connected and Geo-Tagged

The TX200V notably incorporates integrated GPS, enabling real-time geo-tagging of images without external devices - a boon for travel and landscape photographers who want to document exact locations effortlessly.

Connectivity-wise, the TX200V lacks wireless options, requiring USB or HDMI cables for data transfer.

The A77 II lacks GPS but makes up for it with built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, facilitating wireless image transfer and remote control via smartphones or tablets. This reflects Sony’s push for smart connectivity in advanced models, enhancing workflow speed for professionals and content creators.

Image Quality and Sample Images Evaluation

In side-by-side image comparisons, the A77 II delivers superior image sharpness, color fidelity, and noise control, especially in challenging lighting. Landscapes benefit from pronounced detail, expansive dynamic range, and faithful color gradation, whereas the TX200V’s images, though competent in good light, show softness and higher noise floors at elevated ISOs.

For portraits, the A77 II’s APS-C sensor and interchangeable lens options allow pleasing background blur (bokeh) and better skin tone rendition due to deeper bit depth and color accuracy.

Sony TX200V front Sony TX200V screen back Sony A77 II front Sony A77 II screen back

Performance Ratings Overview

Sony’s A77 II scores prominently in DxOMark-related estimates with an overall rating of 82, color depth over 24 bits, excellent dynamic range, and high low-light ISO performance indexes. The TX200V remains untested on DxO but by sensor and hardware lacks the technical headroom to match.

Strengths Across Photography Genres

• Portrait: A77 II delivers superior eye AF, bokeh, and skin tone control; TX200V limited by fixed lens and sensor size.
• Landscape: A77 II excels with high resolution, dynamic range, and weather sealing; TX200V is portable but lacks resolution quality for large prints.
• Wildlife: A77 II’s continuous AF, fast burst, and telephoto lens compatibility shine; TX200V unsuitable beyond casual use.
• Sports: A77 II’s 12 fps burst with phase-detect AF is professional-grade; TX200V’s contrast AF and slow shutter limit utility.
• Street: TX200V’s compactness helps discreet shooting; A77 II is bulkier but provides superior image quality.
• Macro: A77 II's broad lens options and stabilization outclass TX200V’s macro focus limit (3cm).
• Night/Astro: A77 II’s sensor and low light capability dominate; TX200V struggles beyond ISO 800.
• Video: A77 II’s mic input, codec options, and articulating screen enhance video workflows; TX200V suffices for casual Full HD.
• Travel: TX200V’s compactness and GPS are travel-friendly; A77 II offers versatility but with bulk penalty.
• Professional: A77 II supports raw files, workflow integration, and rugged build; TX200V is an advanced point-and-shoot.

Making the Right Choice: Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Sony TX200V if:

• You prioritize portability and simplicity for casual photography.
• You desire built-in GPS for travel geo-tagging.
• You prefer touchscreen operation without complex controls.
• Your photographic demands primarily center on daylight street, travel, or snapshot photography.
• You're seeking an affordable compact with decent image quality for everyday use.

Opt for the Sony A77 II if:

• You require DSLR-level image quality, especially benefiting from the APS-C sensor.
• Your photography involves portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or sports demanding fast, reliable autofocus.
• You want access to an extensive, versatile lens ecosystem.
• Video recording with external audio input and manual exposure controls are important.
• Durable build and weather sealing for professional or enthusiast shooting in diverse environments are priorities.
• Longer battery life and modern wireless connectivity improve your workflow.

Final Thoughts

While both cameras bear the Sony name and share certain feature sets (e.g., Full HD video), they fundamentally serve different markets. The TX200V remains a testament to early 2010s ultracompact innovation, excelling in pocketability and travel convenience but constrained by sensor size and AF sophistication. The A77 II, although now an aging model compared to current mirrorless flagships, delivers an advanced, highly capable system for photographers who demand speed, image quality, and flexibility.

For enthusiasts or professionals willing to invest in system expansion and desiring top-tier real-world performance, the A77 II represents a highly recommendable camera, balancing affordability with professional-grade features. Conversely, those seeking ultra-portable simplicity with some travel-friendly perks may still find the TX200V appealing for lightweight walk-around usage.

By weighing these candid assessments alongside your shooting preferences and workflow needs, you can confidently select the camera suited to your photographic journey.