7.6 out of 10

Sony DSLR-A700

12.24 megapixels

Information found in: from 156 sources in 27 countries.

Best Price: $899

  • User Score (129)
    9.3 9.3 from 129 reviewers
  • Expert Score (32)
    7.9 7.9 from 32 reviewers
  • Design (23)
    8.3 8.3 from 23 reviewers
  • Value for money (16)
    6.6 6.6 from 16 reviewers
  • Features (12)
    7.9 7.9 from 12 reviewers
  • Ease of use (23)
    8.6 8.6 from 23 reviewers
  • Performance (37)
    9.0 9.0 from 37 reviewers
  • Picture quality (44)
    8.2 8.2 from 44 reviewers

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Pros & Cons

  • bright lcd, strong construction, comfortable controls, small lag time, functional feature set
  • no live view, a few design quirks, proprietary hot shoe, exposed lcd, hdmi compatible

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Transferring of photos can be done through the USB 2.0 port. It also has a video output too. Focusing can be set to manual or auto and its resolution is 12 megapixels. It does not have a movie mode. The image size is 4288x2856 pixels and its ISO range is 100-6400. The metering options can be spot, center weighted or multi-pattern. It also has superior built quality.

More Specifications

Sony’s DLSR-A700 has an anti-shake feature that is built in. It too enables decent handling. The configuratio…

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Transferring of photos can be done through the USB 2.0 port. It also has a video output too. Focusing can be set to manual or auto and its resolution is 12 megapixels. It does not have a movie mode. The image size is 4288x2856 pixels and its ISO range is 100-6400. The metering options can be spot, center weighted or multi-pattern. It also has superior built quality.

More Specifications

Sony’s DLSR-A700 has an anti-shake feature that is built in. It too enables decent handling. The configurations are easy to modify and it also has a rapid shooting speed. There are also fine color gradation and focus point selections. Some things that need to be remembered before buying this camera are that the images are on the soft side, the images tend to be noisy after ISO 1600 and that there is no top mounted on the LCD plate.

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Manufacturer's Specs

  • License Agreements
    End User License Agreements
  • Weights and Measurements
    Dimensions (Approx.) : (WHD) 5 5/8" x 4 1/4" x 3 1/4" (141.7 x 104.8 x 79.7 mm) (excl. protrusions)
  • Convenience
    Burst Mode : Selectable Hi (5FPS) Lo (3FPS); JPEG Standard/Fine: Unlimited to capacity of media; JPEG Extra Fine: 8; cRAW (compressed): 24; cRAW+JPEG: 12; RAW: 17; RAW+JPEG: 11.
  • Hardware
    LCD : 3.0" TFT Xtra Fine™ (921k pixels) LCD
  • Power
    Battery Capacity : 7.2V, CIPA standard: approx. 650 pictures 3
  • General
    Imaging Device : 12.24 (effective) APS Exmor™ Sensor; 23.5 x 15.6 mm; RGB primary color filter
  • Convenience Features
    AF Illuminator Light : Yes, On/Off Select
  • Processor
    BIONZ™ Engine : Yes w/ Dynamic Range Optimizer. DRO Modes include Off, Standard, Advanced Auto, Advanced Manual, Advanced 3-frame bracketing. Advanced Manual include 5 adjustable levels.
  • Optics/Lens
    EV Compensation : ±3.0 EV, 0.3 EV / 0.5 EV steps selectable
  • Software
    Operating System Compatibility : Microsoft® Windows® 2000 Professional, XP Home and Professional, Vista; Macintosh® OS X (v 10.1.3 or later). OS must be installed at the factory.

Review Summary

Following the success of the Sony DSLR-A100 from last year, Sony and Konica Minolta have teamed up to create the 12-megapixel Sony Alpha 700. Based on the Minolta Maxxum 7D body, this new Alpha model features a durable magnesium alloy shell over an aluminum chassis and is sealed to be dust and moisture resistant. The A700 features loads of useful settings, like creative style modes, high-speed shooting, and Sony’s exclusive Super SteadyShot image. It weighs 1.75 pounds and it is solid and well made, maki…

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Following the success of the Sony DSLR-A100 from last year, Sony and Konica Minolta have teamed up to create the 12-megapixel Sony Alpha 700. Based on the Minolta Maxxum 7D body, this new Alpha model features a durable magnesium alloy shell over an aluminum chassis and is sealed to be dust and moisture resistant. The A700 features loads of useful settings, like creative style modes, high-speed shooting, and Sony’s exclusive Super SteadyShot image. It weighs 1.75 pounds and it is solid and well made, making it exceptionally comfortable and stable to hold. Operating the A700 is not complicated. As there is no monochrome display on the top, settings can be set via a combination of direct-access buttons and the LCD. There’s a function button that activates the Quick Nav interactive information display of all your current settings, which you comfortably navigate via a big joystick. Only focus modes (single-shot, continuous, single/continuous autoselection, and manual) and the three metering modes (spot, evaluative, and center-weighted) have their own selection switches. You can control shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation, and program shift with dials. The Sony DSLR-A700 includes a solid set of really practical features, including SteadyShot sensor-shift image stabilization, a built-in wireless flash transmitter and dual memory-card slots. It also provides Eye-Start AF, one can choose how long the AF area displays, as well as set both minimum and maximum values for the Auto ISO range. Overall the camera’s performance is great with excellent photo quality. Sony has provided different kits available for the A700, namely a kit with an f/3.5-to-f/4.6, 18mm to 70mm lens; a kit with an f/3.5-to-f/5.6, 18mm to 200mm lens; and a dual-lens kit with 18mm to 70mm lens and an f/3.5-to-f/6.3, 75mm to 300mm lens. If you opt for a kit, the dual-lens package looks like the best value. The only disadvantage is the batteries finish fast.

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12.24 megapixel, 1x optical zoom, 1x digital zoom, USB, CompactFlash I/II, Microdrive, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick-Pro HG, 3 inch LCD.

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  1. Sony DSLR-A700

    Reviewer: Maclife
    14 October 2008
    Overall 10
    10
     

    The A700 offers great image quality at a good price. As with all DSLRs, a purchase commits you to that camera’s family of lenses and other accessories. If you are comfortable with Sony’s current offerings or have an investment in Minolta alpha lenses, it would make a great fit in your camera bag. Read more

  2. Reviewer: Dev Hardware
    17 April 2008

    The Konica Minolta influence is evident in both of Sony's DSLR cameras, but Sony has definitely put their own stamp on these cameras as well. The Alpha A700 uses a new 12.2 MP CMOS sensor specifically developed by Sony for this camera as well as Sony's own Super Steady Shot technology for a nice reduction in camera shake. Read more

  3. Reviewer: Macworld
    19 March 2008
    Overall 6
    6.0
     

    by Ben Long , Macworld.com It’s been over two years since Sony released the Alpha DSLR-A100K ( ), its first digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera. The DSLR-A100K was a good camera based on technology that Sony acquired from Konica Minolta's DSLR division, but two years is a long time in the digital photography universe. Camera technology has changed since the DSLR-A100K’s release. Now, Sony has released the newest in its Alpha line, the Alpha DSLR-A700. With some... Read more

  4. A complex, well-made camera with tons of controls, the A700 takes exceptionally sharp, well-exposed shots.

    Reviewer: PC World
    29 January 2008
    Overall 8
    8.0
    Design 9
    9.0
    Features 8
    8.0
    Performance 9
    9.0
     

    With its sharp, 12-megapixel imaging and with more exposure controls than most photographers--amateur or professional--will likely use, the beefy and finely designed A700 rises to nearly pro-level photography, making it well worth its $1900 price tag. It is limited mostly by its relatively narrow range of available lenses and accessories. Visit our Top 5 SLR Cameras chart and our Cameras Info Center . Read more

  5. Sony a700 DSLR

    Reviewer: Think Camera
    03 January 2008
    Overall 8
    8.0
    Design 9
    9.0
    Value for money 7
    7.0
    Features 7
    7.0
    Ease of use 10
    10
    Picture quality 8
    8.0
     

    The Sony DSLR-A700 is fantastic to use and comes highly recommended - however, if Sony's gameplan is to be at the top of the DSLR tree, this one climbs a couple of branches, not the whole redwood. Plus, there's some stiff competition to contend with, such as the Canon 40D, which manages to include Live View and cost less in the process. But, if you're thinking of buying a camera, then go and actually handle the Sony - that is where you will feel the functionality of the... Read more

  1. Quick review of Sony a (alpha) DSLR-A700

    Reviewer: kjmalc, Ciao
    2 weeks ago
    Overall 10
    10
     

    The new model of Sony's DSLR, A700 features the advanced imaging technologies and ultra-responsive operation, as well the dust and moisture resistant and a lightweight to hold with a magnesium alloy construction. It has a 12.2 megapixel Exmor Cmos sensor conducts analog to digital signal conversion, weather resistant, an ultra high resolution 3" LCD Display along with 11 point center dual cross autofocus system and a dual noise reduction. One of the best SLR to recommend... Read more

  2. Sony A100 Compared to Sony A700

    Reviewer: Mama Z, CameraWorld.com
    24 October 2008
    Overall 10
    10
     

    I find the new A700 much easier to use. It is much quieter than the A100. I'm very satisfied with my purchase and would recommend it to anyone. Takes GREAT images. If you own a Sony A100, you need a different type of battery so beware of having to purchase new batteries. Read more

  3. Reviewer: tony_uw, PC World
    30 July 2008
    Overall 6
    6.0
     

    I am a former Nikon D70 user that's more of a hobbyist/amateur photographer. My day job is as an engineer. My former gear includes the D70 with a 18-200 VR lens and 50mm 1.8. What I found with the A700 is that after familiarizing myself with all the controls, it's fairly quick to change settings, though my preference is still the Nikon layout. It just seemed easier to change ISO, WB, etc. That said, the A700 with the QuickNav isn't far behind. Even though I griped about... Read more

  4. A very good mid-range DSLR for that price!

    Reviewer: frederick355, CNET
    12 January 2008
    Overall 9
    9.0
     

    I bought this camera 3 days ago and went through it instruction manual and tried the camera with Sony kit lens and ex-Minolta Dynax lenses. They performed well. The kit lens is pretty good but not outstanding and the Carl Zeiss would be better of course. The camera body is made in Japan and that is what I like most. Up coming A 200 will compliment this A 700 and the new lenses line up is more than enough to satify most fussy photographers. Sony is indeed coming up fast... Read more

  5. Reviewer: Jeff Turner - USA, Let's go digital
    18 October 2007
    Overall 9
    9.0
     

    Excellent photo quality and overall fast camera performance at an affordable price. Read more

Video Reviews

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