Last week we took a close look at the Sony Alpha A6000, a compelling example of technical balance and enormous popularity in the mirrorless format. However, that's not the only 'classic' camera from the Japanese giant that stands the test of time. A very interesting option in the DSLR territory is the **Sony Alpha A77 II**. Even though it already carries six years on its shoulders, this camera still has the backbone to respond to many modern demands, including action, sports, and nature.
Continuing our exploration of models that many would erroneously call 'obsolete', today we decided to extend our stay in the Sony space and look for little gems among its DSLRs. Obviously, none of this would be possible if those cameras weren't available at a good price, or show some deficit in terms of accessories. After all, the idea is to offer an alternative, not a puzzle.
Luckily, the Sony Alpha A77 II manages to escape these difficulties. It's a camera that never really established itself as a 'professional option', but today it definitely attracts the attention of enthusiasts who want to leave behind certain 'low-end' models and access a different kind of performance without burning the budget. That detail also extends to its compatible accessories, with very reasonable prices.
Sony Alpha A77 II: "Vintage Action"
Originally announced in May 2014 and fully available a month later, the Sony Alpha A77 II features a 24.3-megapixel effective APS-C CMOS sensor, accompanied by the Bionz X image processor. Its ISO sensitivity ranges from 100 to 25,600, with a boost in both directions of 50-51,200, while its shutter speed ranges from 1/8,000 to 30 seconds. Its main three-inch screen is tilting but not touch-sensitive, with a resolution of 1.22 million dots. On the electronic viewfinder side, it measures 0.5 inches and has 2.35 million dots of resolution with 100 percent coverage.
The autofocus of the Sony Alpha A77 II stands out as one of its most impressive points (at least for its time), with a total of 79 phase-detection points. Its entire structure screams 'sports'. If the plan is to capture events like a basketball game or the youngest member of the family dominating the ball on a Saturday afternoon, this DSLR will do that job perfectly.
In fact, the only firmware update available for the A77 II optimized autofocus performance, especially at higher burst levels. And speaking of burst, the ceiling for this camera is 12 FPS with continuous autofocus. Some users recommend using that combination with a single point, which is a more 'manual' approach if you will, but guarantees better sharpness. The buffer averages 60 frames, more than enough to capture intense moments; however, the camera locks up while transferring its content. The suggestion here is a very fast card.
Yes, the general interface of the Sony Alpha A77 II shows a certain abundance of controls that might intimidate a beginner, but it's not only easy to use, it fits very well as a general-purpose camera, beyond its (nearly) 650 grams. On the back we find a custom 'C' button next to the playback button, and an 'Fn' button where we can register the functions used most frequently.
The situation is even more interesting on the top, with a secondary LCD monitor, buttons for white balance and exposure compensation, and another Finder/Monitor button to switch between the viewfinder and the main screen. The mode dial is very populated, with options for scene selection 'SCN', Panorama, Full Burst or "Continuous Shooting Priority", and movie. The other entries are Full Auto, Program Auto 'P', Aperture Priority 'A', Shutter Priority 'S', Manual 'M', and three customizable modes '1-2-3'. To learn all its details, Sony offers an online help guide. The format isn't the most comfortable in the world, but it has a lot of information.
The bad news is that, being a camera from 2014, the Sony Alpha A77 II offers no 4K video support. The good news is that its 1080p60 isn't bad at all, especially since it received XAVC S format compatibility via a firmware update. It performs well in low-light situations, and the built-in stabilization certainly helps. The most demanding enthusiasts might lean toward other DSLRs with secondary features like headphone output to check levels, but we've seen YouTubers start with much less than the A77 II.
Accessories for Sony Alpha A77 II
The body of the Sony Alpha A77 II hovers around 900 euros, unless we explore options like Amazon Warehouse, with additional discounts of 100 euros for units with some cosmetic detail. On the other hand, a ready-to-use configuration is the kit that includes a 16-50 lens, priced at 1,200 euros. The big question is, what else can the user add to this camera? The answer is 'a lot', with a careful selection of accessories that maximize the cost-benefit ratio.
Batteries and Power
With an average of 480 shots per full charge, we can say with some certainty that the Sony Alpha A77 II doesn't have battery problems, but it's not an extraordinary number compared to other DSLRs. Fortunately, the A77 II is a very polished platform, with a very healthy amount of accessories. One of them is the Gloxy GX-A77 grip kit which also includes two compatible NP-FM500H batteries, and the other is the Gloxy 2-in-1 hybrid charger for home and car which replaces the original BC-QM1 without a hitch. When it comes to capturing nature, let there be no lack of energy.
The package is available under the identifier "KitGX-A77,VDTS-4604-CH-VDTS-141".
Tripods and Supports
At 647 grams (with batteries installed), the Sony Alpha A77 II is not a very light camera. Long handheld sessions are possible, but sooner or later its potential users will want some kind of support. If we're looking for a tripod for the Sony Alpha A77 II, at the top of the list are two old favorites: the Gloxy GX-T6662A with aluminum alloy design and a maximum load of ten kilograms, and the Clampod Takeway T2 which grips onto anything and offers more than enough resistance to hold this type of DSLR.
Backpacks and Bags
It would have been a big mistake for Sony not to include weather sealing in the Alpha A77 II, but we're glad it's there. Now, all the gear needs a good means of transport, and the Gloxy Pro AW backpack is an excellent candidate. Available in three sizes, with secondary tripod support, customizable padded interior, and an outer waterproof cover, everything we carry inside will stay dry and safe. For more compact alternatives, it's worth considering the Delta 400a Fancier bag. It has enough space to carry the A77 II with the lens attached, and a front pocket for personal items.
These solutions are listed under the SKU "GloxyPRO,Fancier400a".
Memory Cards
We mentioned it earlier: the Sony Alpha A77 II works best with a fast card when clearing its buffer. The market has very cheap memory, but only a handful prioritize speed. Today we've decided to repeat our recommendation of the SanDisk Extreme Pro SDXC of 128 gigabytes. 90 megabytes per second write speed, V30 certification, and 55 euros on the label seal the deal.
Lenses
The 16-50 included in the kit is a good starting point, but if someone decides to buy the body and look for optical solutions on their own, today we have two proposals. The first is the Tamron f4.0-5.6 LD DI AF 70-300mm, a basic but robust all-rounder that will help us get remarkable images of landscapes and animals. The second is the Samyang T1.5 VDSLR 50mm. Technically, the lens was created with video in mind, however, its photos are more than up to par.
And so we reach the end. Classic or extreme sports, nature, landscapes, and why not astrophotography or macro photography. The Sony Alpha A77 II does a solid job in all those cases, but it also holds its own in more casual photography. The key is that it reaches our hands at a good price. Good luck!
