Canon T4i vs. Sony A77

[OldClicker]

If video AF is your priority, you need a Sony. - Terry

[Photo-John]

If video AF is your priority, you need a Sony. - Terry

Why Sony, Terry? Can you give us some detail about what Sony is better? I think the general impression is that Canon is the video leader. What does Sony have that Canon doesn't?

[Greg McCary]

There are not to many bad DSLRs on the market it comes down to what features you think are important. The a77 which I own has an electronic view finder which I have grown to love. Also in body stabilization which makes shooting low speeds easier. I can't say anything bad about the a77 it's a great camera. You will need to learn to clean a sensor which is very easy and only takes a minute or two. I don't know much about the Canon. But I am almost sure you have to buy stabilized lenses if you want that feature. So your lens cost might be higher.

[OldClicker]

Why Sony, Terry? Can you give us some detail about what Sony is better? I think the general impression is that Canon is the video leader. What does Sony have that Canon doesn't?

Phase Detect Auto Focus in video in the Sonys (i.e. Fast Focus) vs. Contrast Detect Auto Focus in the Canons (i.e Hunt Focus). I don't often recommend a brand (even my brand), but as I said, if video AF is your priority, you need a Sony. - Terry

[Photo-John]

Phase Detect Auto Focus in video in the Sonys (i.e. Fast Focus) vs. Contrast Detect Auto Focus in the Canons (i.e Hunt Focus). I don't often recommend a brand (even my brand), but as I said, if video AF is your priority, you need a Sony. - Terry

Thanks for humoring me, Terry

Now I'll throw my two cents in...

First of all, I'm a Canon system owner - have been for about 15 years now. And I would definitely choose the A77 over the T4i. The T4i would be a good choice if you already own Canon gear. But if you aren't already invested, then I would give you a solid push towards Sony. I think Sony is the future. Canon is making great cameras but Sony is pushing the design and performance envelope. I also think you get a lot more for your money with Sony. If you compare the features of the T4i and the A77 you'll find the Sony matches up against the Canon EOS 7D, not the T4i. It's a real prosumer camera and the T4i is more of an entry-level camera.

As for video - the Sony is going to walk all over the T4i. Like Terry said, the Sony has the same phase detect AF for video as well as stills. Phase detect auto focus is what DSLRs use for perfect continuous auto focus, something that mirrorless and DSLR cameras are terrible at - except for the Sony SLT cameras. Canon has made a step forward by embedding phase detect AF Pixels on the sensor with the T4i, but the continuous auto focus in video mode is very, very slow. The Sony A77 video AF should be totally sports worthy.

The Sony cameras also have an electronic viewfinder and that means you can use the eye-level viewfinder when your're recording video. With any other brand of DSLR you'll only be able to use the LCD unless you buy an expensive accessory viewfinder. Why does that matter? Being able to hold the camera up to your eye while you're recording video adds a third point-of-contact, helping to minimize shake in your video. That's huge.

Here's this Canon owner's last Sony pitch - I've been thinking of buying an A77 myself and I own a Canon EOS 7D and thousands of dollars of Canon lenses

[Photo-John]

Oh yeah - if you want more details on what makes the Sony SLT cameras special, as well as more specific info on the A77, you can read my Sony A77 intro article here:

Sony Alpha SLT-A77 – Prosumer DSLR Crusher | Camera News & Reviews

Let us know if you have more questions about either camera and please let us know what you decide on and why