Sony A77 II review

The Sony A77 II is the bet Sony Translucent Mirror cameras. With a sturdy, ergonomic body, the Sony A77 II features translucent mirror technology offering a shutter speed and a very fast approach. It features a 24.3 megapixel CMOS sensor, BIONZ X accompanied by a processor that allows very fast shutter speed and minimizes noise. The camera can shoot up to 12 frames per second with continuous focus mode on, so we will not miss a single detail. The approach is certainly one of the star features of the Sony A77 II. 79 areas, said soon. It includes an electronic viewfinder and hinged screen. On paper, the Sony A77 II is a super camera; let’s see how it behaves in practice.

 Design and management

 The Sony A77 II has a robust design (magnesium alloy) reminiscent of the SLR of any mid-high range. It is comfortable to hold, could do with losing weight a few grams (647 grams body only). The controls are conveniently located so we can get to them easily. In the upper right is the power switch, shutter button and a wheel to adjust the speed. There is also a small screen to see the parameters of the decision and other buttons to adjust the ISO sensitivity, exposure compensation, white balance, and capture mode (single, burst, timer …). In the upper left is the dial for selecting shooting modes (auto, manual, scene, video …). That wheel is a little awkward to handle because, to turn, you have to press the button in the center.

 Turning to the back we find a wheel to adjust aperture, positioned so that we can handle with the thumb, while the index finger reaches smoothly to the front wheel (speed). Also the video button, focus mode, display mode, function button and a crosshead to move through the menus. The memory card is placed on the right side. On the left side are the connections, all covered by the corresponding cover, which certainly fit well and are easy to open . It has an output for a microphone connector for external flash, direct current input microHDMI and microUSB. The lens used for the test is a 16-50 mm zoom with f / 2.8 apertures. It has a switch to lock the ring, very handy when storing.

 Screen and Display

 The Sony A77 II lets you shoot through the viewfinder or the rear screen. The EVF has good resolution and shows the shooting information. The screen is not touch, but it is very versatile because it allows us to several positions. When the store, you can close the screen and is fully protected. It measures three inches diagonally, a fairly large size to see the frame with clarity. It looks pretty good under the sunlight. Also, being hinged allows us to find the best angle for which there is no glare. It has a proximity sensor that shuts off the screen when approaching the camera to the face, while connecting the viewer and do not spend more battery unnecessarily.

 Focus and Shoot

 As already mentioned, the focus of 79 areas is the prominent role of the Sony A77 II. The translucent mirror system allows you to focus very quickly, even moving subjects. It performs just as well when shooting movies and is very quiet due to the engine included in the lens.

 Another advantage of the translucent mirror is the speed of shooting. The Sony A77 II shoots up to 12 frames per second with continuous focus mode enabled. The limit is 60 shots if you’re working in JPEG format, which is not bad. The BIONZ X processor is also responsible for processing the data quickly. Surely speed is the highlight of the Sony A77 II.

 Image Quality

 The Sony A77 II has a spacious and bright sensor, the same found in other models like the a6000. Get captured with great detail and the images are very large, so we can work with them on a professional level without any problem. In the gallery you can see the sharpness you get, even in low light conditions. The BIONZ processor promises to reduce noise at high sensitivities, but above  6400 ISO the noise is now obvious, so it is best to try to maintain a more moderate level. Also keep in mind that the lens plays an important role in this section, and the quality will vary depending on the model you are using. The videos also have a good level of detail and autofocus responds very quickly and accurately. It also includes a built in camera, to reduce tremor stabilizer.

 Findings

 The Sony A77 II is a worthy successor to the A77 launched three years ago. Maintains and enhances the translucent mirror speed, both in targeting and firing. These two features directly aimed at sports photography or nature, where speed is necessary if we want to capture every detail. Both the display and the screen have good resolution and their combination is very comfortable to work. The display is especially handy when recording movies or shoot a little complicated angles, allowing us to adjust to the best position. Like its predecessor, the image quality is still outstanding, but bewares the ISO up much or we can upload the photo to the annoying noise. It has a good variety of connections, noting especially the WiFi and NFC to send them directly to your smartphone.

Sony A77 II review