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Canon T7i vs 77D : Which Should You Buy?

The high degree of similarity between Canon’s two new cameras, the Rebel T7i and 77D, is obscured by their names; the previous generations of these two cameras were called the Rebels T6i and T6s. It seems that Canon has deliberately attempted to make these cameras appear more different than they really are: in their original press release, Canon only mentioned that the 77D features anti-flicker technology, and the term “anti-flicker” is completely absent from the T7i feature-list page on Canon USA’s current website. However, both cameras share the exact same metering sensor and anti-flicker technology (as can easily be seen by downloading the T7i PDF manual, p.179).

So what are the real differences between these cameras? Let’s take a closer look.

The last few generations of Canon DSLRs in the x0D and Rebel lines.

The Major Specs

Before we get into the details, take a look at the general specs for these two cameras. Differences are highlighted in green.

Canon T7iCanon 77D
Body Price
(current Amazon)
$$
Body + 18-135mm Lens
(current Amazon)
$$
Rear LCD1,040,000 pixel
Touch Sensitive
1,040,000 pixel
Touch Sensitive
Sensor Resolution
(Megapixels)
24.224.2
ProcessorDigic 7Digic 7
ISO Range100-25600
+51200
100-25600
+51200
Shutter Speeds30-1/400030-1/4000
Flash Sync1/200th1/200th
Max. Frame Rate6 fps6 fps
Max. RAW Burst21 or
27 (w/ UHS-I)
21 or
27 (w/ UHS-I)
Max. JPG Burst
(fine)
190 or
Unlimited (w/ UHS-I)
190 or
Unlimited (w/ UHS-I)
Autofocus Points
(All Cross Type)
4545
Meter Sensor7560-pixel RGB+IR7560-pixel RGB+IR
Anti-Flicker YESYES
AF Sensitivity-3 - 18 EV-3 - 18 EV
Autofocus For VideoYes, Dual Pixel CMOS AFYes, Dual Pixel CMOS AF
Touch Screen AFYESYES
Electronic Image Stabilization
(For Video Only)
YESYES
Video Resolutions1080p @ 24, 30, 60 fps
720p @ 30, 50, 60 fps
1080p @ 24, 30, 60 fps
720p @ 30, 50, 60 fps
Card Slots1 SD (SDXC)
UHS-I Support
1 SD (SDXC)
UHS-I Support
ConnectivityWi-Fi
NFC
USB
Bluetooth
Wi-Fi
NFC
USB
Bluetooth
Interval Timer (Photos, Video)NO, YESYES, YES
Feature Assistant
(User Interface for Beginners)
YESYES (Off by default)
Battery Life
(CIPA)
600600
Size131.0 × 99.9 × 76.2mm131.0 × 99.9 × 76.2mm
Weight
(CIPA)
532g540g
Viewfinder TypePentamirrorPentamirror
Viewfinder Coverage/
Magnification
95%
.82x
95%
.82x

As you can see, the cameras are practically identical, internally. The Canon 77D simply does not have any major features that the T7i lacks, though the built-in interval timer on the 77D will certainly come in handy for those who shoot time-lapse work. The cameras are otherwise identical. They use the same processor and sensor, so with the same settings, there will be no difference in image quality between the T7i and 77D. But that doesn’t mean that the table above tells the whole story.

Body Differences

So where are the differences between the two cameras? They’re all in the body and control layout. The Canon 77D has three main body features that the T7i lacks:

  • top LCD panel
  • rear quick-control thumb dial
  • eye-proximity sensor (turns off rear LCD when you hold camera near your face)
  • dedicated thumb-button for focus (for action photographers)

The top LCD gives users quick access to their main exposure settings (shutter speed, aperture, ISO), battery level, and image count. This can be very useful for photographers who don’t use a full-automatic shooting mode, but since the information can also be accessed via the quick-info button on the rear LCD, it is somewhat less important than it once was. For photographers who grew up using autofocus film SLRs and cultivated a habit of using the top LCD it remains an important feature.

Top view of the 77D and T7i.
Top view of the 77D and T7i. The top-mounted LCD on the 77D provides quick access to the camera’s exposure settings.

The rear quick-control dial is used to quickly control exposure compensation (how bright or dark your image is), perhaps the most important feature in separating beginners from advanced photographers. While both cameras do provide exposure compensation, only the Canon 77D has quick access to it by default (without pressing buttons or entering menus). When would you use this? In strong back-lighting situations, camera auto-exposures will frequently under-expose the subject, creating a silhouette or at least deep shadows on the subject (eg, a person standing in front of a sunset, against a bright sky, etc). The opposite may also occur, and your subject may be blown out when he or she is in bright light but the background is dark. This dial lets you quickly correct the camera’s mistakes, if you know how to use it. The images below were shot with a different camera, but all required exposure compensation to some degree.

Rear view of Canon 77D and Tti
Highlighted here in green, the Canon 77D offers a quick control dial in place of the T7i’s control-pad buttons. Also note the rectangular eye-sensor above the viewfinder of the 77D.

The proximity sensor may be handy for photographers who frequently use live-view, or frequently switch between shooting video and stills, and want to save a little bit of their battery’s juice.

Finally, the 77D has a dedicated back-focusing button for those photographers who want to use their thumb to start AF operation and only use the shutter button to take photos. This is popular with sports photographers, and is getting more popular with portrait photographers as well.

Conclusion: Which Camera is Right for You?

If you’re looking to buy a new Canon T7i or Canon 77D and can’t decide which way to go, here’s how I’d look at it: if you’re interested in a camera that can take sharp, vibrant, high-quality photos and video, go with the T7i. If you’re interested in photography and learning to be a better photographer (and those high-quality images), then get the 77D. Both cameras will give you the same performance and the same image quality. The only difference is in how much easy control you’ll get over your camera’s advanced features.

And more generally, my advice is always this: buy the least expensive camera that will meet your needs, and buy the best lenses that you can afford. High quality lenses will make a larger difference in your photography, and they retain their value much better than camera bodies.

Looking for the best lens for your area of interest? Feel free to ask for recommendations below.

Find this useful? Help out by ordering from the links on this page!

Buy from Amazon: Canon 77D | Canon T7i
Buy from B&H Photo: Canon 77D| Canon T7i

Questions? Comments?

Please feel free to comment! Still aren’t sure which one to get? Think that I missed something? Just let me know in the comment section below, and I’ll answer as quickly as I can.

 

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Peter Pigott

I just bought a used T6i. The differences between it and the T7i are considerable. So I made a mistake. Solution: Sell my T6i and buy the T7i or 77d. What I have loved about Canon is the quick auto-focus lenses. Although Nikon is catching up with the new AF-P lenses.

Dee

Which would be better for wildlife photography the 77D or the T7i? Should I be looking at a different camera?

John

I just don’t understand Canon. What a waste of resources. The 77d is the most out of place camera I have ever heard of, there is absolutely no need for a camera between the t7i and 80d. My guess is that they accidentally made t7i’s with lcd panels and instead of throwing them out they sold them.

Lisa

Hi Matthew!

My first camera was a T2i then I moved to 7D then 5D mark ii. I sold my whole gear and about a year ago I got a sony a6000. The reason was the weight and size but I miss the canon, especially the lenses (sony is good but way more expensive). Im not interested to buy full frame again, i just want to have fun without carrying tons on my sholder, so im considering to get a new rebel. The only reason i would choose the 77 over t7i is because of the wheel, nothing else. ( i got used to it on full frames and i know i would miss it a lot). Not interested in video either.
The 2 camera has the same image quality? how about ISO and DR? Thank You!

David Keys

Hey man!

Thanks for one of the internet’s best articles regarding these cameras.
I’m so torn between SL2, T7i and 77D. If I mainly do video, will the AF button be something I will use or mostly for photographers? I wanna shoot some narrative scenes, some dialogue in low light/dark city, night drive at sunsets and at night driving through a city – imagine the movie Drive, filming the city lights from the front seat and as well as filming the driver while driving and the instrument panel. I do synthwave music so…something 80s filming would be nice.
AF-system is something I value highly ofc.

Should I consider any of these cameras or try picking up an old M5, M6 or go for the M50?! Size is also something that’s top on my list of specs!

Appreciate the reply! If it’s easier email me directly.
Best!
David Keys

Dolly

trying to decide between t7i and 77d at same cost when upgrading from t3i…doing landscape photography and have somewhat arthritic hands so weight can be issue so ruled out 80 d. Price is same for today…any input?

Dolly

Is 80 d that much better a bit worried re weight for my hands at 63

Dolly

Ok so at my age and stage in life at 63 though still actively hiking and shooting … go w 77 d. Use the Tamron 16-300 lens mostly and have wide angle lens Batteries seen to be problem as don’t go with other bodies and they are expensive if don’t get as many pics per battery

Sam

Hello Matt. How would you briefly compare T6i with 77D. What are the major differences? I do have some experience woth T4i and I like to do it as hobby and learn more. Which one do you recommend?

Dr prashant pawar

Go for the 77d if u are really interested in photography. The kit lens 18-135 is very good for everyday photos. You can even get the 50 mm 1.8 . Just follow what Matthew says – basic camera and the most expensive lens which you can afford. I recently got the 100 mm macro and the results are superb .Slowly you can build up on your collection of lenses as your interest grows. You can also rent a particular lens before making an actual purchase.best of luck and keep on clicking.

Rob

Awesome review and comparison! I have been thinking about the T7i to use for making kitchen demos for YouTube and for stop-action photos of food. Good match?

Rob

The lack of a fully articulated screen kills the M5 for me.

Another question. Is the kit lens (18 -55) appropriate for what I’m looking to do? Thanks in advance.

Pat McEntee

The EF-S 18-55 is a basic (read bottom) lens that is adequate. It does a good job but isn’t the best lens by a long shot. Most people would be very happy with the quality of the lens.

As a starter lens for a DSLR, you’re in good place. I would rate the EF-S 18-135 as a better choice for a basic lens. And life only gets better after this.

BTW, I have almost 10,000 shots on my 80D. I used the articulating screen once. I wanted a shot of my subject back-lighted against the sky and I needed the camera lower than I was willing to bend over. Knowing it is there if I need it is reassuring, but not a deal breaker.

Ken Kraft

Great article. Helped a lot in solidifying my decision. I’m going with the 77D and was wondering what you think about the kit lens that comes with it, specifically, the EF-S 18-135mm IS USM Lens. Are there better options?
Thank you.
Ken

Kyle

I was wondering what lenses would go well with the T7i? As of now, I have a 10-24mm tamron lens, the kit lens, and a 50-200 canon lens. I would like to get a more well rounded lens maybe something like a 16-35. Do you have any other recommendations or would that lens be fine?

trixie

how does the sl2 compare? and does the sl2 have high speed sync?

Torbjörn

Hi,
As I understand, the viewfinder in SL2 is larger (as some earlier Rebel models like T2i ) than in T7i/77D. A bit hard to understand the rational for this? Personally, I value the viewfinder size as one of the most important factors when using a camera.

Torbjörn

trixie

just wanted to make sure… this camera has high speed sync; unlike the d5600?

Torbjörn

Thanks, really helpfull:)
The M5 was mentioned as an even more lightweight alternative to 77D. Do you think I should consider the M5 as well? The sigma 100-400 is only 1100g, will the M5 grip be fine ergonomically? AF speed? As I understand, the Sigma AF performance is not as good as Canons much more expensive 100-400 alternatives, but hopefully good enough for my needs as an enthusiast:)
I do have a collection of EFM leses (11-22, 22, 18-55) that also would benefit from an upgrade to M5, as a bonus.

Thanks,
Torbjörn

Torbjörn

Torbjorn

Hi Matt,
Thanks for a good summary. I was wandering how 77D would compare to 80D? I intend to use the camera with the new sigma 100-400 lens, that I just bought primarely to get a low cost, light weight and capable system for wildlife and nature photography. I have an 5Dmk2 also, but want the additional reach, and possibly a more modern AF. Right now, I have only tested the sigma lens with my old eos m, and I am really amazed by the optical quality of the instrument, even @ 400mm. Color rendering, contrast and sharpness are all superb. AF is of course not up to DSLR standard.
So, would I miss a lot by going with the cheaper and lighter 77D instead of 80D?

Thanks,
Torbjörn