Sony a57 vs Sony a77

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a57 and Sony a77. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony a57 were released 2012 and Sony a77 was released 2011. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a57 2012
Sony a77 2011

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Sony APS-C") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a57 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Sony a77 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)

Resolution

Sony a57 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a77 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a57 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264
Sony a77 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Sony a77 has a 50 % larger resolution than Sony a57. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 100 to 16000.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a57 100-16000
Sony a77 100-16000

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a57
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a77

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a57 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds and Sony a77 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a57 12
Sony a77 12

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Sony a57 and Sony a77 can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Sony a77 weighs 732 gr (equal to 1.61 lb) which is 18% heavier than Sony a57 and its 618 gr (or 1.36 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a57 618 gr
1.36 lb
Sony a77 732 gr
1.61 lb

Sony a57 vs Sony a77 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a57 and Sony a77, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Sony a57
Sony a77
Name Sony a57 Sony a77
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a57
Sony a77
Release Year 2012 2011
Release Date 2012-03-13 2011-08-24
MSRP 699 USD 1399 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a57
Sony a77
Camera Type SLT SLT
Sensor
Sony a57
Sony a77
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 24 MP
Image Processor Bionz Bionz
Image
Sony a57
Sony a77
ISO Range 100 - 16000 100 - 16000
White Balance Presets 9 8
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a57
Sony a77
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 15 19
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a57
Sony a77
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 921000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.04× (0.69× 35mm equiv.) 1.1× (0.73× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a57
Sony a77
Frames per second 12 fps 12 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 10 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a57
Sony a77
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a57
Sony a77
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a57
Sony a77
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (Optional)
GPS No Yes
Built-in
Body & Dimensions
Sony a57
Sony a77
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 550 shots 470 shots
Width 132 mm 143 mm
Height 98 mm 104 mm
Depth 81 mm 81 mm
Weight 618 gram 732 gram