Sony a77 vs Nikon D6
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a77 and Nikon D6. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a77 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D6 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a77 were released 2011 and Nikon D6 was released 2020. That is a 9 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a77 | 2011 |
Nikon D6 | 2020 |
Type of camera
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Sony a77 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D6 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.
Camera | Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 ** |
Sony a77 | 75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
Nikon D6 | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
** 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)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)
Resolution
Sony a77 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D6 has 21 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Sony a77 |
24 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
Nikon D6 |
21 MP
20668416 pixels 5568 x 3712 |
Sony a77 has a 16 % larger resolution than Nikon D6. 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
Nikon D6 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a77. Nikon D6 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 102400 while Sony a77 has 100 to 16000.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a77 | 100-16000 |
Nikon D6 | 100-102400 |
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 a77
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D6
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a77 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds and Nikon D6 can shoot up to 14 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a77 | 12 |
Nikon D6 | 14 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Sony a77 and Nikon D6 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.
Nikon D6 weighs 1270 gr (equal to 2.8 lb) which is 73% heavier than Sony a77 and its 732 gr (or 1.61 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a77 | 732 gr 1.61 lb |
Nikon D6 | 1270 gr 2.8 lb |
Sony a77 vs Nikon D6 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a77 and Nikon D6, 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 a77 |
Nikon D6 |
Name | Sony a77 | Nikon D6 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a77 |
Nikon D6 |
Release Year | 2011 | 2020 |
Release Date | 2011-08-24 | 2019-09-04 |
MSRP | 1399 USD | 6499 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a77 |
Nikon D6 |
Camera Type | SLT | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a77 |
Nikon D6 |
Sensor Size | APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) |
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm) Also known as "FX" |
Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 6000 x 4000 pixels | 5568 x 3712 pixels |
Megapixels | 24 MP | 21 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz | EXPEED 6 |
Image |
Sony a77 |
Nikon D6 |
ISO Range | 100 - 16000 | 100 - 102400 |
White Balance Presets | 8 | 12 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-Shift) |
No |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a77 |
Nikon D6 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 19 | 105 |
Lens Mount |
Sony A See Compatible Lenses |
Nikon F 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 |
FX (Full frame) No multiplier Example: 24 mm remains 24 mm 50 mm remains 50 mm 100 mm remains 100 mm 200 mm remains 200 mm |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Sony a77 |
Nikon D6 |
Articulated LCD | Fully articulated | Fixed |
Screen size | 3” | 3.2” |
Screen dots | 921000 | 2359000 |
Touch screen | No | Yes |
Screen type | N/A | TFT LCD |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 1.1× (0.73× 35mm equiv.) | 0.72x |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | 0 |
Photography features |
Sony a77 |
Nikon D6 |
Frames per second | 12 fps | 14 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 900 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | Yes | No |
Built-in Flash Range | 12 meters | N/A |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | Yes |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Highlight Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a77 |
Nikon D6 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 H.264 AVCHD |
MPEG4 H.264 |
Video resolution |
1440 x 1080 1920 x 1080 |
1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Sony a77 |
Nikon D6 |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Compact Flash Express XQD |
Connectivity |
Sony a77 |
Nikon D6 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | Yes |
Headphone Port | No | Yes |
Wireless |
Yes Eye-Fi Connected |
Yes Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth) |
Remote Control | Yes (Optional) | Yes (Wired or smartphone) |
GPS |
Yes Built-in |
Yes Built-in |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a77 |
Nikon D6 |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
|
EN-EL18c lithium-ion battery & charager
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 470 shots | 3580 shots |
Width | 143 mm | 160 mm |
Height | 104 mm | 163 mm |
Depth | 81 mm | 92 mm |
Weight | 732 gram | 1270 gram |