Sony Alpha A700 12.24MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
- 12.24-megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor captures enough detail for poster-size prints
- Body only; lenses sold separately
- In-camera image stabilization and anti-dust vibration systems; Eye-Start Autofocus system
- 3-inch LCD display; 11-point autofocus system; 40-segment multi-pattern honeycomb metering
- Powered by lithium-ion battery; stores images on CF I/II and Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo cards
Rating: 2 of 5
Is every other review a company plant? Or did real photographers just not bother 2 review this camera?
Rating: 5 of 5
Great product.
The A700 is stout. Solid construction & solid performance. High ISO performance that can be mated up 2 fast Sony or Minolta AF glass. I've got an F2.8 lens & it is unstoppable indoors even in mediocre lighting. I can only imagine if I had an f1.4 prime or something of the like mounted on this body! 3 shot bracketing is quick, metering is accurate, colors are great. I shoot in cRaw & am impressed with that format. I cannot pick up on any loss compared 2 RAW; but the camera will run RAW all day long with no problems either. The scary thing is that even JPEGS look great on this camera! It is a very serious camera & will sit atop the Sony line until they bring out a full-frame camera. Thoroughly impressed & definitely a worthy replacement 4 the venerable Maxxum/Dynax 5's 7's & maybe even the 9 depending on your use!
Rating: 5 of 5
Great semi-pro camera, great value.
A FREE color temperature analyzer included (which would cost $1,200 separately)! As I describe below, there is a little discussed feature that allows you 2 set the white balance 4 the ambient light practically perfectly.
I have had my Sony Alpha 700 4 about six weeks now, have used it extensively on a vacation, & have tried most of the features.
I'm impressed with:
- the solid "feel" of the camera build
- the 5 frames per second continuous shooting until the card is full (many other more expensive cameras have a limit)
- autofocus is blazing fast, & as reviewed in PopPhoto, is faster than even the best Nikons & Canons in good light.
- there are several ways 2 access almost any setting or function, & seemingly endless customization of settings.
- Though the Auto white balance isn't always as accurate as I'd like, there is an amazing feature with will allow you 2 set an custom white balance in a mixed or difficult light situation by using a gray or white card & having the camera "read" the light. It not only gets the Kelvin temperature right, but also adjust 2 Green/Magenta filter color casts from G9 2 M9. To get that quality ambient light sensing, you would have 2 buy a $1,200 Color temperature sensor (Minolta made one). So basically you get a color analyzer 4 free with the camera.
- I have quickly gotten used 2 the separate buttons 4 the setting I adjust most frequently: Drive setting (for bracketing or time delay), White Balance, & ISO.
- The Dynamic Range (DR) Capabilities are phenomenal. I've shot photos in horribly contrasty situations & been able 2 get detail in both shadows & highlights. There are 8 levels of adjustment 4 DR.
- The information you can get on playback is extensive & useful when you press the "C" button.
- I love having a % of battery life left, but I hated having 2 have 2 sell my old batteries from my Alpha 100 because they won't fit due 2 the new feature.
What I don't like:
- the little "joystick" control is difficult 4 me when I try 2 press it 2 confirm a setting. Otherwise it works fine directionally.
- I've found that I get better exposures with a -.5 EV compensation. The histograms are almost always perfect in that situation.
Overall, it's the best value in a semi-pro (bang 4 the buck) that I've come across after extensive evaluation. I'm also confident that Sony will continue 2 market it's DSLRs seriously & continue 2 offer a wider model line. Sony has staying power & marketing muscle. So far it only has about 6% of the worldwide DSLR market, but I'm confident that will grow due 2 the quality & value of it's camera product line, including the Zeiss lenses.
Another thing 2 note: Sony makes the 12 megapixel sensor 4 the Nikon D300, & most likely they are the same. Compare the price of the Sony A700 with the D300, & you will see the "bargain".
I have had my Sony Alpha 700 4 about six weeks now, have used it extensively on a vacation, & have tried most of the features.
I'm impressed with:
- the solid "feel" of the camera build
- the 5 frames per second continuous shooting until the card is full (many other more expensive cameras have a limit)
- autofocus is blazing fast, & as reviewed in PopPhoto, is faster than even the best Nikons & Canons in good light.
- there are several ways 2 access almost any setting or function, & seemingly endless customization of settings.
- Though the Auto white balance isn't always as accurate as I'd like, there is an amazing feature with will allow you 2 set an custom white balance in a mixed or difficult light situation by using a gray or white card & having the camera "read" the light. It not only gets the Kelvin temperature right, but also adjust 2 Green/Magenta filter color casts from G9 2 M9. To get that quality ambient light sensing, you would have 2 buy a $1,200 Color temperature sensor (Minolta made one). So basically you get a color analyzer 4 free with the camera.
- I have quickly gotten used 2 the separate buttons 4 the setting I adjust most frequently: Drive setting (for bracketing or time delay), White Balance, & ISO.
- The Dynamic Range (DR) Capabilities are phenomenal. I've shot photos in horribly contrasty situations & been able 2 get detail in both shadows & highlights. There are 8 levels of adjustment 4 DR.
- The information you can get on playback is extensive & useful when you press the "C" button.
- I love having a % of battery life left, but I hated having 2 have 2 sell my old batteries from my Alpha 100 because they won't fit due 2 the new feature.
What I don't like:
- the little "joystick" control is difficult 4 me when I try 2 press it 2 confirm a setting. Otherwise it works fine directionally.
- I've found that I get better exposures with a -.5 EV compensation. The histograms are almost always perfect in that situation.
Overall, it's the best value in a semi-pro (bang 4 the buck) that I've come across after extensive evaluation. I'm also confident that Sony will continue 2 market it's DSLRs seriously & continue 2 offer a wider model line. Sony has staying power & marketing muscle. So far it only has about 6% of the worldwide DSLR market, but I'm confident that will grow due 2 the quality & value of it's camera product line, including the Zeiss lenses.
Another thing 2 note: Sony makes the 12 megapixel sensor 4 the Nikon D300, & most likely they are the same. Compare the price of the Sony A700 with the D300, & you will see the "bargain".
Rating: 5 of 5
Great Camera
This camera is great. Feel comfortable taking photos ISO 800 & beyond. I don't really miss many photo opportunities. So much control & your fingers too. Seems 2 be a dedicated button 4 everything within easy reach. Well done sony. Now if you could get a few more lenses in your lineup...
Rating: 4 of 5
Excellent, class leading DSLR, but not perfect (what is?)
I have a Canon 5D & although it produces impressive pictures, I found too many of my pictures were blurred & I found myself not carrying my 5D around as it was a heavy camera (front heavy & hard 2 hold still IMHO) with the 24-105mm lens attached (hence the blurred shots). I started 2 look 4 a smaller & lighter camera - comfort was a major issue as was the size of the viewfinder & quality of the LCD as the 5D's LCD is frankly poor - very hard 2 tell if something was sharply focused or the appropriate colour. I tried out the following:
Pentax K20 - didn't like the focusing system or the LCD menu system, but otherwise impressed with the camera. Also, it's not a Nikon or Canon which is attractive given their saturation of the market - it's good not 2 go with the herd sometimes! Good range of lenses.
Nikon D80 - uncomfortably ergonomics 4 me, as with the D300, the thumb rest digs right into the lower joint of my thumb making it hard 2 hold firmly, I also didn't like the reversal of the focus & zoom rings on their lenses (focus at the back, zoom at the front).
Nikon D300 - very nice camera, but almost 100g heavier than the 5D!
Canon 40D - very similar 2 the 5D in terms of size, weight & shape. Comfortable but bland ergonomics & still on the heavy side. Nice big viewfinder, very impressive large information in the viewfinder too, compatible with my existing lenses. But it's a Canon (I have an aversion 2 monopolies or duopolies - it's not good 4 consumers or innovation!) & with their quality 17-80 lens it was going 2 weigh little less than the 5D.
Olympus 510 - brilliant size, weight & comfortable ergonomics, good kit lenses. I don't like the 4/3rds system (a smaller sensor just can't be better as I found with comparisons 2 the 5D & it makes the viewfinder very small) & their menu system is plain ugly. With a 900,000 pixel moveable screen & cleaner menu, Olympus would corner the small DSLR market.
I decided 2 buy an A700 with a Carl Zeiss 16-80 lens & have used it 4 a couple of weeks & overall I am very happy - I use it far more than the 5D as it is light & small & easy 2 carry. On the downside, the picture quality is not as good as the 5D especially at high ISOs where the Sony is noticeably grainy. Amateur Photographer has a review in their current issue which shows that in terms of IQ, resolution & noise the 5D beats the D300 & 40D, so the A700 really can't compete. But there's no point having the best camera sitting at home gathering dust.
Sony A700 Pros:
- Lightweight & small compared 2 others in class.
- Very nice ergonomics & comfort in the hand. Easy 2 hold very tight with very little camera wobble compared 2 the 5D which is front-heavy & less easy 2 hold still.
- Brilliant LCD, easy 2 check colour accuracy & sharpness - don't even need 2 zoom 2 check focus. Sony & Nikon are miles ahead of Canon, Olympus & Pentax here.
- Carl Zeiss lens is lightweight & small too, with a very useful range. Very sharp & colourful lens.
- Very bright & large viewfinder - which is so important & put me off Canon's 20D & 30D a few year's ago which have small, pokey viewfinders.
- Anti-shake device is superb, makes a huge difference & in my view is better than the lens version with Canon & Nikon. It applies 2 all lenses which is a major plus.
- I love the shake level meter in the viewfinder window. It is brilliant & almost on its own has made me a convert 2 the A700. A little chart fluctuates depending on camera shake, so you wait until the chart drops & then take the picture - it is so helpful.
- White balance settings have 7 variable settings (-3, 0, +3) which is very helpful.
- Lovely clean menu system, easier & quicker than Canon & up there with Nikon's which is also lovely 2 use. Olympus & Pentax really needs 2 take note, as their menus are cluttered & not intuitive. The A700's menu is a pleasure 2 navigate.
- Dedicated ISO, drive, WB & exposure buttons is very quick & useful, all are large & easy 2 press & can be used without even taking one's eye away from the viewfinder. Also a custom function button (NOT a direct printer button like Canon!). I don't miss the top LCD screen at all - big buttons are more helpful!
- Compressed RAW looks as good as RAW but takes less space & time.
- Outdoor shots are very sharp, very colourful & contrasty. I mainly take travel & outdoor pics so this camera really suits my style & needs.
Sony A700 Cons:
- Picture quality & resolution is not up 2 Canon 5D standards (but matches 40D & D80 etc). I appreciate they are not like-for-like cameras or in the same class, & the 5D is full frame etc, but it is 3+ years old. My experience is borne out by Amateur Photographer - full frame is best. I should add that at low ISOs (200 or below) & shooting RAW or cRAW the Sony output is almost as good as the Canon, which when coupled with the Sony's size, weight, LCD & anti-shake device is enough 4 me.
- Where the Sony suffers is at higher ISOs. At 800 the 5D has almost zero grain or noise whereas the Sony, 2 me, is noisy in the shadows & darkers areas of the pic. If you mainly shoot indoors or in low light, this may not be the right camera 4 you.
- Poor dedicated range of lenses. Not as many lenses as available 4 Canon & not the same quality either in terms of build & glass. Too many of the Sony lenses I have read about have had poor reviews. No problems if you have Minolta glass - but again, not the range or quality of Canon.
- Too few Sony lenses have USM/HSM/SSM etc motors. The Zeiss lens is quick but not as quick as my Canon lenses with USM motors. More importantly the Zeiss lens is very "squeaky" in use - when going from completely out of focus 2 focus there is an audible whirr & squeak as it is not an SSM lens. Only the high-end telephotos have SSM. Also, many of the Sigma lenses don't have HSM while they do 4 Canon & Nikon mounts making them also loud & slower.
- WB under incandescent light is poor - very orange cast & even with the parameters being changed, is still badly inaccurate.
- There is no ISO reading in the viewfinder info bar which would be helpful & is standard at this level of DSLR.
- The AEL button is very raised away from the body, as a result, when pressed, it is hard 2 keep my glasses close 2 the viewfinder & my view becomes distorted - this is actually quite annoying, but nevertheless not a deal breaker by any means.
- The rubber grips on the lens are very fine & are a dust magnet. It's a really minor point, but after one week my Carl Zeiss lens looked shabby because any dust & dirt gets stuck in the fine rubber ridges & is really hard 2 clean.
Overall:
Overall the Sony A700 is a really excellent camera if you shoot at low ISOs (800 or under), mainly shoot outdoors & want something light & compact 2 carry all day. If you are coming from film where shooting higher than ISO 400 was virtually unheard of, this is a great camera. I give it 4 stars not 5 as it is not perfect (though arguably no camera is perfect, & this comes as close as any) - 2 me it is a bit too noisy from ISO 400 up, certainly compared 2 the D300 with which it shares a sensor. But, it doesn't matter 90% of the time. V Highly Recommended.
Pentax K20 - didn't like the focusing system or the LCD menu system, but otherwise impressed with the camera. Also, it's not a Nikon or Canon which is attractive given their saturation of the market - it's good not 2 go with the herd sometimes! Good range of lenses.
Nikon D80 - uncomfortably ergonomics 4 me, as with the D300, the thumb rest digs right into the lower joint of my thumb making it hard 2 hold firmly, I also didn't like the reversal of the focus & zoom rings on their lenses (focus at the back, zoom at the front).
Nikon D300 - very nice camera, but almost 100g heavier than the 5D!
Canon 40D - very similar 2 the 5D in terms of size, weight & shape. Comfortable but bland ergonomics & still on the heavy side. Nice big viewfinder, very impressive large information in the viewfinder too, compatible with my existing lenses. But it's a Canon (I have an aversion 2 monopolies or duopolies - it's not good 4 consumers or innovation!) & with their quality 17-80 lens it was going 2 weigh little less than the 5D.
Olympus 510 - brilliant size, weight & comfortable ergonomics, good kit lenses. I don't like the 4/3rds system (a smaller sensor just can't be better as I found with comparisons 2 the 5D & it makes the viewfinder very small) & their menu system is plain ugly. With a 900,000 pixel moveable screen & cleaner menu, Olympus would corner the small DSLR market.
I decided 2 buy an A700 with a Carl Zeiss 16-80 lens & have used it 4 a couple of weeks & overall I am very happy - I use it far more than the 5D as it is light & small & easy 2 carry. On the downside, the picture quality is not as good as the 5D especially at high ISOs where the Sony is noticeably grainy. Amateur Photographer has a review in their current issue which shows that in terms of IQ, resolution & noise the 5D beats the D300 & 40D, so the A700 really can't compete. But there's no point having the best camera sitting at home gathering dust.
Sony A700 Pros:
- Lightweight & small compared 2 others in class.
- Very nice ergonomics & comfort in the hand. Easy 2 hold very tight with very little camera wobble compared 2 the 5D which is front-heavy & less easy 2 hold still.
- Brilliant LCD, easy 2 check colour accuracy & sharpness - don't even need 2 zoom 2 check focus. Sony & Nikon are miles ahead of Canon, Olympus & Pentax here.
- Carl Zeiss lens is lightweight & small too, with a very useful range. Very sharp & colourful lens.
- Very bright & large viewfinder - which is so important & put me off Canon's 20D & 30D a few year's ago which have small, pokey viewfinders.
- Anti-shake device is superb, makes a huge difference & in my view is better than the lens version with Canon & Nikon. It applies 2 all lenses which is a major plus.
- I love the shake level meter in the viewfinder window. It is brilliant & almost on its own has made me a convert 2 the A700. A little chart fluctuates depending on camera shake, so you wait until the chart drops & then take the picture - it is so helpful.
- White balance settings have 7 variable settings (-3, 0, +3) which is very helpful.
- Lovely clean menu system, easier & quicker than Canon & up there with Nikon's which is also lovely 2 use. Olympus & Pentax really needs 2 take note, as their menus are cluttered & not intuitive. The A700's menu is a pleasure 2 navigate.
- Dedicated ISO, drive, WB & exposure buttons is very quick & useful, all are large & easy 2 press & can be used without even taking one's eye away from the viewfinder. Also a custom function button (NOT a direct printer button like Canon!). I don't miss the top LCD screen at all - big buttons are more helpful!
- Compressed RAW looks as good as RAW but takes less space & time.
- Outdoor shots are very sharp, very colourful & contrasty. I mainly take travel & outdoor pics so this camera really suits my style & needs.
Sony A700 Cons:
- Picture quality & resolution is not up 2 Canon 5D standards (but matches 40D & D80 etc). I appreciate they are not like-for-like cameras or in the same class, & the 5D is full frame etc, but it is 3+ years old. My experience is borne out by Amateur Photographer - full frame is best. I should add that at low ISOs (200 or below) & shooting RAW or cRAW the Sony output is almost as good as the Canon, which when coupled with the Sony's size, weight, LCD & anti-shake device is enough 4 me.
- Where the Sony suffers is at higher ISOs. At 800 the 5D has almost zero grain or noise whereas the Sony, 2 me, is noisy in the shadows & darkers areas of the pic. If you mainly shoot indoors or in low light, this may not be the right camera 4 you.
- Poor dedicated range of lenses. Not as many lenses as available 4 Canon & not the same quality either in terms of build & glass. Too many of the Sony lenses I have read about have had poor reviews. No problems if you have Minolta glass - but again, not the range or quality of Canon.
- Too few Sony lenses have USM/HSM/SSM etc motors. The Zeiss lens is quick but not as quick as my Canon lenses with USM motors. More importantly the Zeiss lens is very "squeaky" in use - when going from completely out of focus 2 focus there is an audible whirr & squeak as it is not an SSM lens. Only the high-end telephotos have SSM. Also, many of the Sigma lenses don't have HSM while they do 4 Canon & Nikon mounts making them also loud & slower.
- WB under incandescent light is poor - very orange cast & even with the parameters being changed, is still badly inaccurate.
- There is no ISO reading in the viewfinder info bar which would be helpful & is standard at this level of DSLR.
- The AEL button is very raised away from the body, as a result, when pressed, it is hard 2 keep my glasses close 2 the viewfinder & my view becomes distorted - this is actually quite annoying, but nevertheless not a deal breaker by any means.
- The rubber grips on the lens are very fine & are a dust magnet. It's a really minor point, but after one week my Carl Zeiss lens looked shabby because any dust & dirt gets stuck in the fine rubber ridges & is really hard 2 clean.
Overall:
Overall the Sony A700 is a really excellent camera if you shoot at low ISOs (800 or under), mainly shoot outdoors & want something light & compact 2 carry all day. If you are coming from film where shooting higher than ISO 400 was virtually unheard of, this is a great camera. I give it 4 stars not 5 as it is not perfect (though arguably no camera is perfect, & this comes as close as any) - 2 me it is a bit too noisy from ISO 400 up, certainly compared 2 the D300 with which it shares a sensor. But, it doesn't matter 90% of the time. V Highly Recommended.
High performance Digital Single Lens Reflex (D-SLR) camera - body only. Superlative HD picture quality from shooting 2 viewing. Ultra-responsive performance, ruggedly constructed & beautifully easy 2 use.ssing 4 quick response, high-speed 5 fps shooting, precision AF & creative shooting modes combine 2 bring out all your creativity. Super SteadyShot in-camera image stabilization reduces blur with every Sony, Carl Zeiss & Minolta a-mount lens. You?ll also have a photo-quality 3.0?1 LCD screen & direct HDMI Output2 2 your Sony Bravia HDTV 4 PhotoTV HD viewing -- plus Sony Anti-Dust Technology, rugged magnesium alloy body, up 2 650-shot3 Stamina power.
($659.99)
Buy Sony Alpha A700 12.24MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Now!
With the exception of some gimmick features like image stabilization, Sony does not offer anything with this camera that Nikon & Canon did not offer earlier & cheaper. Nikon & Canon both also offer image stabilization in their lenses, which is an alternative that provides better results when it really matters. When you use a Sony DSLR 4 any extended period of time, you will start 2 notice that it is missing buttons 4 commonly accessed features such as ISO & white balance, which are hidden deep within menus that take a long time 2 access & change, & you will notice that the high ISO performance being touted by other reviewers is grainy & extremely subpar when compared 2 the cameras being offered by Nikon & Canon.
Canon & Nikon offer better cameras, cheaper, with more lenses. In fact, if you buy the right Nikon or Canon DSLR, there is a good chance you can still use lenses going back 2 the 1950s (this is true 4 Nikon, I am not sure about Canon). These lenses are still extraordinary. You will be able 2 use lenses made into the far future. Will Sony still be around? Minolta isn't, & you're betting on the same technology that already failed once.
The Sony won't take bad pictures; any camera, even a cheap point & shoot, will take beautiful pictures. But a Sony DSLR will fight against you & try 2 stop you from taking those pictures, you want a good camera that knows what it is doing & is trying 2 help you along the creative process.