Canon EOS 77D Review

The Canon EOS 77D is Canon's update to the 760D. The camera features a new 24mp APS-C CMOS sensor, ISO25600 that extends to ISO51200, 6fps continuous shooting, full HD 60fps video recording, along with built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth. There's a top LCD screen and two control dials.

Canon EOS 77D Features

Introduced with the 77D and 800D is a new Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens, an ultra-compact kit lens, that Canon says is the World's smallest non-retractable kit lens. The lens offers up to 4-stops of Image Stabilisation (IS), with improved optics, and a size that is just 61.8mm long. When used with the new lens, the camera is said to offer the World's fastest focus for APS-C ILC cameras at 0.03s (when using the viewfinder). The new lens will also be available on its own, as well as part of a kit. Nb. This review is based on the 800D review.

At first glance, the Canon EOS 77D may appear quite similar to the previous camera, the 760D, but when we look at the specifications in more detail, we can see that a number of improvements have been made. 

Updated on the Canon EOS 77D - compared to the 760D:

• New 24mp Dual-pixel APS-C CMOS sensor
• Increased ISO range (extends to ISO51200)
• 6fps continuous shooting
• 600 shot battery life (compared to 440 on the 750D)
• FullHD video up to 60/50fps
• White Balance (Ambience, or White priority)
• New image processor (with additional lens correction)
• Slightly more compact body (redesigned battery layout)
• New Connection button
• New graphical user interface with easy / guided mode
• Bluetooth built-in 
• 45 AF points

The updates on the Canon EOS 77D gives improved performance, with quicker continuous shooting, an extended ISO range, improved battery life as well as more AF points. There's also a new user interface, and new connection button, with built-in Bluetooth making the camera easier to use for beginners, whilst the other improvements made to the camera make this more appealing to the more enthusiastic photographer.

Wi-Fi is built-in and the camera includes NFC for quick connections, and Bluetooth is also available for low-power image transfers. 

There is a microphone socket on the side, a flash hot-shoe on top, plus a built-in pop-up flash. The 3inch vari-angle touch-screen can be tilted forwards so that it can be used as a selfie screen, and the built-in guide can be switched on and off. 

FullHD video is recorded at 60fps, with stereo sound. Electronic image stabilisation helps keep images steady, or you can use a lens with built-in optical image stabilisation (OIS). 

A new Bluetooth remote, the BR-E1, has been introduced, offering a separate AF button and shutter button, letting you remotely control the 77D, 800D, 6D Mark II, and 200D. The remote has a 5m+ range. 

The Canon EOS 80D is shown above, next to the new Canon EOS 77D.

Canon EOS 77D Key Features

• 24mp APS-C CMOS sensor (New)
• Dual Pixel AF 
• DIGIC 7 image processor
• 45 AF points, all-cross type + Dual Pixel AF
• 3inch vari-angle touch-screen, 1040K dots
• 95% optical viewfinder, with 0.82x magnification
• ISO100-ISO25600 (extends to ISO51200)
• 6fps continuous shooting
• FullHD video at 60fps
• In-camera 5-axis electronic stabilisation (for video)
• Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth
• Built-in guide

Canon EOS 77D Handling

Like the 800D, the 77D benefits from an improved design, with a new battery layout, that has allowed a deeper and more comfortable handgrip. making it feel excellent in the hand. Going back to the previous version is somewhat of a disappointment. The camera has a plastic construction, however, this shouldn’t put you off the camera, with the camera feeling and looking solidly built. As a testament to this, there are many older models still going strong today.

If you’re moving from a previous EOS camera, then the layout of buttons and controls will be very familiar, with the main difference being the addition of a “connection” button. The on/off switch also features a third position, which switches the camera into video mode.

There are two control wheels on the camera, with one on top, and a scroll wheel on the back, which can be locked. This makes it quick and easy to change the aperture and shutter when in manual mode. 

The screen looks good, although the live-view refresh speed isn’t as quick as most mirrorless cameras, with a 30fps refresh rate. Using the touch-screen to change settings is easy, and the screen is very responsive to touch. Viewing angles are good, with a gapless screen, and being able to tilt the screen can make it easier to see what you are shooting.

There are now 45 focus points (with 49 available in live-view), and these can be viewed in the optical viewfinder when shooting, or on the rear screen when using live view. You can even switch on display of focus points in playback mode so that you can confirm you focused on the desired point(s). In live-view, the focus area covers a large area of the image, and there is no penalty in focus speeds.

The optical viewfinder, whilst not the largest, features dioptre correction, and there is a soft rubber surround, making it comfortable to use both with or without glasses. There's an eye-detection sensor above the viewfinder so that the camera will know when you're holding it up to your eye, and this means the camera will automatically switch off the screen when needed.

Menus - The new guided menu system can quite easily be switched off if you’re already used to Canon’s menu systems. If you’re not, the guided menu system is clear and easy to use, with brighter text and larger icons. If you go for the standard menu system, this is clear and well laid out, and you can use the touch-screen with both menu systems. The Q button gives quick access to settings, and these can also be changed with the touch-screen. The only interface that we’d like to see updated is the live view mode, where pressing the Q button brings up another method to change settings. 

Wi-Fi features - Setting up a connection to your smartphone or tablet is relatively easy. As the app, Canon Camera Connect guides you through the process making it as easy as possible for you. Once setup, it’s easy to transfer images over, as well as remotely control the camera. You can also use the app to add location information to your photos. 

Battery life - Battery life is rated at 600 shots according to Canon / CIPA test results, which is very good and an improvement over the 440 shots possible on the 760D. This should save you money, as you're less likely to need to invest in a second battery.