Engineering:Sony Alpha 77

Sony α77

SLT-A77V + SAL-1650
Overview
Type	Digital single-lens translucent camera
Lens
Lens	Interchangeable, Sony A-mount
Sensor/medium
Sensor	Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor (23.5 X 15.6mm)
Maximum resolution	Approx. 24.3 megapixels
Film speed	ISO 50-16000
Storage media	Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo/PRO-HG HX Duo media - SD, SDHC and SDXC memory card
Focusing
Focus modes	Predictive control(AF-A, AF-C), Focus Lock, Eye-start AF, Manual-Focus
Focus areas	Wide (auto, 19 points)/Zone/Spot/Local selectable
Exposure/metering
Exposure modes	Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports action, Sunset, Night portrait, Night View, Handheld Twilight, (A) Aperture Priority, (P) Program Mode, (S) Shutter Priority, (M) Manual mode
Exposure metering	Advanced 1200-zone evaluative metering, Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Flash
Flash	Built-in, Pop-up Auto, Auto, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Hi-speed sync., Red-eye reduction (on/off selectable for Autoflash and fill-flash mode), Wireless, Off, ADI flash / Pre-flash TTL / Manual flash
Flash bracketing	0.3/0.5/0.7/2.0/3.0EV steps, 3/5 frames(2.0/3.0EV: only 3 frames) selectable
Shutter
Shutter	Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane shutter
Shutter speed range	1/8000 to 30 seconds, bulb
Continuous shooting	24.3megapixel at 12fps
Viewfinder
Viewfinder	TruFinder XGA OLED Electronic View Finder(2,359k dots)
Image processing
White balance	Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (Warm White, Cool White, Day White, Daylight), Flash, Setting the color temperature, Color Filter, Custom
General
LCD screen	3.0” TFT Xtra Fine LCD (921,600 pixels) w/TruBlack technology
Battery	InfoLITHIUM NP-FM500H
Optional battery packs	Sony SLT-A77 VG-C77AM Vertical battery grip
Dimensions	Width (mm) 142.6 Height (mm) 104.0 Depth (mm) 80.9
Weight	Approx. 1 lb 7 oz (650 g) (excl battery, lens & media) Approx. 1 lb 9.8 oz (730 g) (w/battery & media)
Made in	Thailand

The Sony α77 was the flagship for Sony's midrange Alpha SLT camera line.

The successor to the Sony A700, it is equipped with a 24.3 MP APS-C HD CMOS sensor and has a 12-fps burst-shooting mode.

The camera is fitted with Sony's patented “translucent mirror” technology.

On 1 May 2014 its replacement, the α77 II (ILCA-77M2) was announced with availability in June.

Model variants

Model variants of the α77 camera body:

• SLT-A77V with GPS.
• SLT-A77 without GPS (depending on country).

Depending on country/market, the α77 camera is also available in different kits:

• SLT-A77VQ (α77V+ 16-50mm lens).
• SLT-A77VK (α77V+ 18-55mm lens).
• SLT-A77VM (α77V+ 18-135mm lens).

Lens mount

Sony Alpha SLT-A77 uses A-mount lens bayonet.

Features

Image features

• 24.3 megapixel Exmor APS-C HD CMOS sensor.
• Updated BIONZ Image Processor.
• 2nd generation Translucent Mirror Technology.
• Multi-frame Noise Reduction.

Autofocus and metering

• 19-point autofocus sensors with 11 cross type sensors.
• TTL phase-detection AF.
• Object tracking AF.
• AF Micro Adjust.
• 1200 Zone exposure metering.

ISO

• ISO 100 - 16,000 (25,600 with multi-image combination. Expands down to ISO 80, 64 and 50).
• Auto ISO with customizable lower and upper limits.

Shutter

• 12fps burst mode at full 24.3 megapixel resolution.
• 1/8000 - 30sec (and Bulb) is the shutter speed range.
• Shutter rated for 150,000 actuations.

Ergonomics and functions

• TruFinder XGA OLED electronic viewfinder with 2359K dots resolution with full 100% frame coverage.
• TruBlack XtraFine LCD screen (3"/ 7,5 cm) with 921.6K dots resolution with pull-out three-hinge tilt/swivel functionality.
• Live View with full-time Phase Detection AF.
• Top panel LCD with illumination.
• Built-in dark red auto-focus illuminator.
• Dual anti-dust sensor cleaning system.
• SteadyShot INSIDE, in-body image stabilization system.
• D-Range Optimiser (5 levels and auto).
• Stereo microphone and external mic socket.
• A magnesium alloy body with weather sealing.
• Built in GPS (SLT-A77V model only).
• UHS-I compatible.
• 3D Sweep Panorama.

Video

• Full HD Movies in 1080i60, 1080p60, 1080p24, 1080i50, 1080p50, 1080p25 and 1440 x 1080 @ 30fps, 640 x 424 @ 30fps most with a range of bitrate settings.
• AVCHD / MP4 recording formats.
• MPEG-4 AVC / H.264 video compressions.
• Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC audio recording formats.

Firmware updates

On 5 February 2013, Sony released a new firmware V1.07, with the following enhancement:

• Added support for Sony α lenses (with automatic compensation compliancy): SAL-100M28, SAL-50M28, SAL-85F28, SAL-18200, SAL-20F28, SAL-28F28.

Performance

In the DxOMark Overall Sensor Score test, which is based on all characteristics of a camera sensor, the APS-C (23.5x15.6mm sensor size) Sony α77 scored 78 points, only one point less than the full-format (36x24mm sensor size) DSLRs Sony Alpha 900 and Canon EOS 5D Mark II.

Reception

Overall the reception for the Sony SLT-A77 since its release has been mixed to positive.

Digital Photography Review awarded the Sony SLT-A77 an overall score of 81% and a silver award, praising its innovative and detailed EVF viewfinder and its fast 12fps shooting mode but criticizing its JPEG quality and noise level especially at high ISO.

Photography Blog gave the Sony SLT-A77 a 5 out of 5 stars praising its innovative EVF display, the inclusion of full 1080p video, built-in GPS, 12fps burst mode, dual control dials, top-panel LCD, a 3-way rear screen and myriad of creative effects such as HDR, Dynamic Range Optimization, creative styles, picture effects and the innovative sweep panorama mode.

Sony α77 II

The α77 II features a BIONZ X image processor similar to the Sony α7 series. It comes with Wi-Fi, NFC and also has 79 AF points with 15 crossing sensor, 12 fps burst speed up to 60 frames in full resolution, continuous AF video Full HD at 60p and 24p. One of the major features is the new sensor with less noise. GPS has been removed, as has the LED AF illuminator—the pop-up flash is now used for focus assist.

External links

back of the Alpha 77