Mid-range DSLRs compared: Nikon D5600 vs. Canon 77D

Nikon D5600 meets the Canon 77D

Note: This artcle was first published on the 12th May 2017.

When the Nikon D5600 meets the Canon 77D

The Nikon D5600 and the Canon 77D are two of the latest mid-range cropped APS-C format cameras for their respective companies. Yet, while the D5600 is a clear successor to 2015’s D5500, the 77D slots in between the prosumer 80D and the entry-level 800D as a mid-range option for intermediate beginners looking to move up.  In essence, more controls at a slightly lower price compared to the 80D.

Here’s how Canon’s APS-C sensor lineup compares against Nikon’s:

Canon:

Nikon:

As you can see, there’s a bit of overlap at the lower end, but the EOS 77D does line-up better against the D5600. Both sport resolutions of 24.2MP, with native ISO ranges from 100—25,600. They also have similar continuous shooting rates: The EOS 77D will do up to 6.0 frames per second (fps), while the D5600 does up to 5.0 fps.

Both cameras do seem to be more than capable options for their target audience, but which would be the better option for someone looking to get more serious about photography? We put them to the test to find out. But first, here's how the two stack up against each other.

EOS 77D vs D5600

	Nikon D5600	Canon EOS 77D
Launch SRP	From S$1199	From S$1249
Effective pixels	24.78million	24.2 Megapixels
Sensor	DX-format CMOS sensor	APS-C CMOS
Focal Length Multiplier	1.5x	1.6x
ISO rating	100–25600	100-25,600 (expandable to 51,200)
Shutter speed	1/4000–, 30s, in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV; Bulb; Time	1/8000sec. to 30sec. (total shutter speed range; available range varies by shooting mode), Bulb, X-sync at 1/250sec.
Auto Focus	Nikon Multi-CAM 4800DX autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection, 39 focus points (including 9 cross-type sensor), and AF-assist illuminator (range approx. 0.5–3 m/ 1 ft 8 in.–9 ft 10 in.)	45 (Cross-type AF point Max. 45 points) Dual cross-type focusing at f/2.8 with center AF point. (Excluding some lenses with f/2.8 or larger maximum aperture)
Specialty Shooting Modes	Auto modes (auto; auto, flash off); programmed auto with flexible program (P); shutter-priority auto (S); aperture-priority auto (A); manual (M); scene modes (portrait; landscape; child; sports; close up; night portrait; night landscape; party/indoor; beach/snow; sunset; dusk/dawn; pet portrait; candlelight; blossom; autumn colors; food); special effects modes (night vision; super vivid; pop; photo illustration; toy camera effect; miniature effect; selective color; silhouette; high key; low key)	Scene Intelligent Auto, Flash Off, Creative Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Special scene modes (Group Photo, Kids, Food, Candlelight, Night Portrait, Handheld Night Scene, HDR Backlight Control), Creative filters (Grainy B/W, Soft focus, Fish-eye effect, Water painting effect, Toy camera effect, Miniature effect, HDR art standard, HDR art vivid, HDR art bold, HDR art embossed)
Exposure Control	Program AE (Scene Intelligent Auto, Program), Shutter-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, Manual exposure, Bulb exposure	Program AE (Scene Intelligent Auto, Program), Shutter-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, Manual exposure, Bulb exposure
Exposure Compensation	Can be adjusted by –5 – +5EV, in steps of1/3 or 1/2EV, in P, S, A, M, SCENE, and night vision modes	±5 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments
Metering	TTL exposure metering using 2016-pixel RGB sensor	63-zone TTL open-aperture metering using 7560-pixel RGB plus IR metering sensor Evaluative metering (linked to all AF points) Partial metering (approx. 6.0% of viewfinder at center) Spot metering (approx. 3.8% of viewfinder at center) Center-weighted average metering
Flash Modes	auto, portrait, child, close up, night portrait, party/indoor, pet portrait, super vivid, pop, photo illustration, toy camera effect: Auto flash with auto pop-up P, S, A, M, food: Manual pop-up with button release	Built-in flash function settings, external Speedlite function settings, external Speedlite Custom Function settings Wireless flash control via optical transmission possible
Recording Formats	NEF (RAW): 12- or 14 bit, compressed, JPEG: JPEG-Baseline compliant with fine (approx. 1 : 4), normal (approx. 1 : 8), or basic (approx. 1 : 16) compression, NEF (RAW)+JPEG: Single photograph recorded in both NEF (RAW) and JPEG formats, movies are recorded in MOV	MOV Full HD (1920x1080): 29.97p / 25.00p / 23.98p MP4 Full HD (1920x1080): 59.94p / 50.00p / 29.97p / 25.00p / 23.98p HD (1280x720): 59.94p / 50.00p / 29.97p / 25.00p
Display	3.2" TFT vari-angle LCD touch screen with 170° viewing angle, approx. 100% frame coverage, brightness adjustment, and eye-sensor controlled on/off	3" TFT color, liquid-crystal touch-sensitive monitor with approx. 1.04 million dots
Storage type	SD, SDHC (UHS-I compliant), SDXC (UHS-I compliant)	SD / SDHC* / SDXC* memory cards * UHS-I cards compatible.
Connectivity	IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g , Bluetooth Specification Version 4.1	Computer communication (Hi-Speed USB equivalent), GPS Receiver GP-E2, Connect Station CS100 connection, HDMI mini OUT (Type C - Auto switching of resolution) compatible.IEEE 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi.
Battery	EN-EL14a rechargeable Li-ion battery	Battery Pack LP-E17 Approx. 600 shots with viewfinder shooting, Approx. 270 shots with live view shooting.
Dimensions	124 x 97 x 70 mm	131.0 x 99.9 x 76.2mm
Weight	415g (body only)	493g (body only)