Sony A77 II vs Sony A99: An Expert’s In-Depth Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

Choosing between the Sony A77 II and A99 isn’t just about comparing specs on paper; it’s about which camera aligns with the way you shoot, your priorities, and the kind of images you envision creating. Having spent well over a decade testing hundreds of DSLRs and mirrorless cameras for portrait, wildlife, landscape, and every genre in-between, I’m keen to walk you through these two advanced Sony DSLRs from a fresh, experienced perspective.

Both cameras represent the distinctive Sony SLT (Single-Lens Translucent) technology era, blending mirror-based advantages with electronic viewfinder responsiveness. But that’s where similarities end and real-world differences begin - and trust me, these nuances really matter depending on your shooting style.

Getting to Know the Players: A Quick Overview

• Sony A77 II (Announced May 2014)

  • Mid-size APS-C DSLR alternative with 24MP sensor
  • Advanced 79-point phase detection AF system
  • Bionz X processor for faster performance
  • Dual-axis fully articulating 3” screen
  • 12fps continuous shooting
  • Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC
  • Price around $1200 body only

• Sony A99 (Announced December 2012)

  • Full-frame 24MP champion with larger sensor footprint
  • 19-point AF system (11 cross-type)
  • Bionz processor (previous generation)
  • Fully articulating 3” TFT Xtra Fine LCD
  • 10fps continuous shooting
  • GPS built-in (a rarity in DSLRs)
  • No built-in Wi-Fi, but dual card slots
  • Price closer to $2000 body only

Above you can see the physical size and ergonomic difference. The A99 is larger and notably heavier (812g vs 647g). If you prioritize portability, this is an immediate consideration.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: APS-C vs Full-Frame Battle

Sony’s decision to offer the A77 II with an APS-C sensor while the A99 boasts full-frame has a profound impact beyond just the sensor size.

The A99’s full-frame sensor (35.8 x 23.8 mm) is more than double the surface area of the A77 II’s APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm). That larger sensor allows for:

• Superior dynamic range (A99 scores 14.0 EV vs. A77 II’s 13.4 EV on DxOMark)
• Slightly better color depth (25.0 bits vs. 24.4 bits)
• Improved low-light performance (A99 iso low-light score 1555 vs 1013)
• A shallower depth of field for more pronounced subject isolation in portraits

Both cameras share a 24MP resolution and feature an anti-aliasing filter to balance sharpness and moiré suppression. Still, the A99’s sensor gives it an overall image quality edge, especially in challenging lighting.

From landscape photography to studio portraits, you’ll find richer tonality and detail retention on the A99. The A77 II, however, still punches above its weight and handles highlight rolloff well, thanks to the newer Bionz X image processing engine.

Autofocus Systems: Precision and Speed in Focus

Autofocus can make or break your shooting experience, especially in fast-paced genres like sports and wildlife.

• The A77 II’s 79 AF points (15 cross-type) cover a wide area with phase detection on sensor PDAF, favoring fast, accurate autofocus tracking.
• The A99’s 19 AF points (11 cross-type) are fewer but benefit from court-tested full-frame AF technology that excels in low-light sensitivity and face detection.

With 12fps burst capability and extensive AF coverage, the A77 II is a dynamo for action photography. In my hands-on testing, I found it easier to maintain sharp focus on erratically moving subjects, such as birds in flight, compared to the A99.

The A99’s 10fps is still respectable but its autofocus points are more concentrated centrally, making it ideal for portraits and studio use where precision is paramount over wide coverage.

Neither camera offers animal eye AF - with Sony’s later models introducing this - but face detection is reliable enough for portrait photographers.

Build Quality, Ergonomics, and Handling: More Than Skin Deep

Both cameras are solidly built with environmental sealing to safeguard against dust and moisture but are not fully weatherproof.

Look closely at their top control layouts - the A99 has a traditional DSLR heft and button placement, while the A77 II’s design feels slightly more modern and streamlined. The A77 II’s lighter weight and smaller grip make it noticeably easier to handle during long shoots or travel.

The fully articulated 3” LCD screen of both models provides flexibility for shooting at awkward angles, but the A77 II's articulation system is smoother, making it friendlier for video work and vlogging.

Neither camera has touchscreen capability - a downside for those used to quick tap-to-focus - but physical controls are well-laid-out, responsive, and intuitive once acclimated.

Lens Ecosystem: Compatibility and Reach

Both cameras utilize the Sony/Minolta Alpha mount, granting access to an extensive lineup of over 140 lenses, including outstanding third-party options.

Due to the focal length multiplier difference (1.5x crop factor on the A77 II), telephoto capabilities are enhanced for wildlife or sports photography on APS-C bodies - a 300mm lens behaves like 450mm in the field of view.

Sony A77 II front Sony A77 II screen back Sony A99 front Sony A99 screen back

Here you can see sample images shot with various lenses on each camera. The A99’s full-frame renders wider perspectives and offers smoother bokeh at equivalent apertures, great for portraits and landscapes.

If you own a suite of full-frame lenses or plan studio work requiring ultra-wide apertures, the A99’s sensor unlocks more from your glass.

Burst and Buffer: Chasing Action

The A77 II’s 12fps continuous shooting is impressive for an APS-C DSLR, paired with a respectable buffer allowing dozens of raw shots before slowing. This is a big plus for sports and wildlife shooters who can’t afford to miss a moment.

The A99’s 10fps is solid but the larger image files (full-frame 24MP) eat into buffer space faster, limiting the length of continuous bursts.

If action capture is your priority, I lean slightly toward the A77 II.

Video Capabilities: Still Relevant in 2024?

Both cameras max out at Full HD 1080p video recording - no 4K here, which for many might feel dated, but, remember these are legacy DSLRs from the early 2010s.

• The A77 II supports 1080p up to 60fps using MPEG-4, AVCHD, and XAVC S codecs.
• The A99 offers 1080p at 60 and 24fps with MPEG-4, AVCHD, and H.264.

Both cameras have sensor-based image stabilization, helping in handheld video and stills. The A77 II’s articulating screen and built-in Wi-Fi make it more convenient for video blogging or remote control via smartphone.

The A99, with a dedicated headphone port for audio monitoring, suits more serious videographers despite lacking wireless functions.

Battery Life and Storage

The A99 slightly edges out the A77 II with around 500 shots per battery vs. 480 shots per charge. However, in fieldwork, extra batteries or an external power solution are always advisable.

For memory cards:

• The A99 has dual card slots (SD and Memory Stick), useful for backup recording or extended sessions.
• The A77 II has a single card slot supporting SD and Memory Stick cards.

Dual slots provide peace of mind for professionals, but for many enthusiasts, a single slot suffices.

Connectivity and Extras: Convenience Counts

The A77 II includes built-in Wi-Fi with NFC, letting you transfer images to your smartphone or tablet effortlessly and control the camera remotely.

The A99 ignores wireless altogether but offers GPS tagging, which is excellent for travel photography or geotagging your photo archive.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

Let’s unpack how these cameras fare in specific fields, so you can see where their real strengths lie.

Portrait Photography

In portraits, precise eye detection and bokeh quality dominate.

• The A99’s full-frame sensor creates a naturally shallower depth of field, especially with fast primes, yielding creamy backgrounds.
• The A77 II counters its smaller sensor with more advanced AF points and faster autofocus tracking, helpful when working with moving subjects.

I found skin tones warm and lifelike on both cameras, but the A99 delivered superior tonal gradation and subtle highlight retention.

Landscape Photography

Landscape photographers prize dynamic range and resolution.

• The A99’s larger sensor and 14 stops dynamic range extract more detail in shadows and highlights.
• Weather sealing on both bodies protects against the elements.
• The A77 II’s smaller size is easier on hikes but trades some ultimate image quality.

If your landscapes demand pixel-level sharpness for large prints, the A99 is the better pick.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Speed is king here.

• The A77 II’s 79-point AF system and 12fps buffer finesse better tracking of fast-moving subjects.
• Telephoto reach is extended thanks to APS-C sensor crop factor.

The A99’s full-frame sensor edges out on image quality but the autofocus suffers from fewer, more centralized AF points.

Street and Travel Photography

Here, discretion, portability, and battery life count.

• The A77 II’s smaller size and weight make it less conspicuous and easier to carry.
• Built-in Wi-Fi facilitates rapid sharing on the go.
• Battery lives are comparable, but the A99’s GPS capabilities are handy for travel photographers.

Macro Photography

Precision focusing and magnification matter.

• Both cameras lack specialized macro features but can produce great close-ups with the right lens.
• Image stabilization on sensor helps reduce shake in handheld macro shots.

Night and Astro Photography

High ISO handling and low noise are critical.

• The A99’s full-frame sensor performs better at high ISOs (native ISO 100 vs 50 for A77 II).
• The improved dynamic range helps capture faint stars without crushing blacks.

Professional Workflows and Reliability

The A99’s dual card slots, GPS, and robust build provide more confidence for professional workflows that demand backup and precise image metadata.

The A77 II, while reliable, appeals more to semi-professionals or enthusiastic amateurs balancing performance with cost.

Overall, on performance ratings, the A99 gains an edge in image quality and feature completeness, while the A77 II excels in autofocus speed and burst shooting.

This genre-specific chart confirms:

• A77 II leads in wildlife, sports, and action scenarios.
• A99 shines in portraiture, landscape, and studio conditions.
• Video capabilities are fairly matched, slightly favoring A77 II for connectivity and usability.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera is Right for You?

Choose the Sony A77 II if:

• You want an affordable, fast DSLR with great autofocus for action or wildlife.
• You prefer a lighter, more compact camera body.
• Built-in Wi-Fi and articulating screen are important.
• You mainly shoot in daylight or controlled situations and don’t require full-frame aesthetics.

Choose the Sony A99 if:

• You need the best possible image quality with a full-frame sensor.
• Your work demands dynamic range, low-light flexibility, and professional features like dual card slots and GPS.
• You prioritize landscapes, studio portraits, or video monitoring with headphone output.
• Budget is less constrained, and weight/size are secondary.

My Personal Recommendation

Having extensively tested both, I can confidently say the A77 II holds remarkable value for its price point - especially if speed and versatility across genres matter most. The A99 remains a solid choice for full-frame enthusiasts and professionals wanting an all-rounder rich with advanced features, albeit with compromises in burst speed and autofocus coverage.

Whether you invest in the A77 II or the A99, both cameras carry Sony’s innovative SLT heritage forward and will serve you well if matched thoughtfully to your style.

I hope this deep dive helps clarify your choice. If you have questions about specific workflows or want lens recommendations paired with these cameras, feel free to ask!

Happy shooting!

• Your Photography Gear Expert