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6.8 out of 10

Sony DSLR-A700

12.24 megapixels

Information found in: from 210 sources in 31 countries.

Great Deal: $999.00

  • User Score (120)
    9.4 9.4 from 120 reviewers
  • Expert Score (41)
    8.1 8.1 from 41 reviewers
  • Design (17)
    7.7 7.7 from 17 reviewers
  • Value for money (15)
    6.7 6.7 from 15 reviewers
  • Features (12)
    7.5 7.5 from 12 reviewers
  • Ease of use (14)
    8.0 8.0 from 14 reviewers
  • Performance (4)
    7.4 7.4 from 4 reviewers
  • Picture quality (14)
    7.2 7.2 from 14 reviewers

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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.

Get incredibly close with flawless detail. This kit pairs the powerful Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A700 camera with the ultra-versatile DT 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 high magnification, all-purpose zoom lens. * A newly designed APS-C size CMOS imager with on-chip noise-canceling before and after A/D conversion provides over 1…

Specifications

  • Support
    Find related product support and help in Sony eSupport
  • 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

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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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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Pros & Cons

  • excellent resolution, robust performance, full manual controls, image quality, great image quality
  • expensive battery, proprietary battery, no status lcd, not much else, nothing now

  1. Sony Alpha DSLR-A700

    Reviewer: PC Magazine
    08 May 2009
    Overall 8
    8.0
     

    The Sony DSLR-A700 with the lens I used in testing adds up to $1,199, within $100 of a Nikon D90 (which is bundled with a $300 18mm-to-105mm zoom lens for $1,299.95). The D90, however, is a better value because it offers HD video recording, as well as sharper images with a little less noise. The A700 outperforms competitors from Olympus and Panasonic—but the competition is getting hotter, with two brand-new sub-$1,000 HD-capable D-SLRs. We're currently testing the... Read more

  2. Reviewer: review.alphamountworld.com
    29 April 2009

    AlphaMountWorld brings you our updated Alpha A700 Camera production Digital SLR Review From the name... to the specifications, the semi professional A700 surprised many of us (remember that?). A great many expectations were put on the A700 before its release. Judging from the forum reactions and review sites all over the world, the A700 has met these expectations in terms of features, price, build quality, and yes now even the most important feature...image quality. The... Read more

  3. Sony Alpha a700 DSLR hands-on

    Reviewer: engadget
    10 December 2008

    We really stoked to finally have gotten our grubby meat hooks on Sony's latest DSLR, the Alpha a700 . The first thing you notice: even without a battery pack, flash, or massive lens, the thing is as heavy as a friggin brick -- close to two pounds with the stock lens. The photographs we started shooting, though, were phenomenal. We won't patronize the extremely knowledgeable camera geeks in the house by trying to wax photographic, but if you get a chance to play around... Read more

  4. Sony Alpha A700

    Reviewer: TopTenREVIEWS
    10 December 2008
    Overall 9
    9.0
     

    The Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 is the top of the line in professional DSLR digital cameras. It offers an impressive combination of performance and ease of use that makes it a good choice for amateurs and experts alike. The Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 has a sturdy design that is neither too clunky nor too compact with a wide array of buttons and customizable features. This camera can also be augmented with any of the Sony lens attachments. You won’t have to worry about image quality... Read more

  5. Reviews: Sony DSLR A700 Review

    Reviewer: Electronics Made Easy
    08 December 2008
    Overall 8
    8.0
     

    A superb addition to the DSLR market. The only problem is it now gives you one more camera to consider as it is a definite competitor. Providing quality photos, an overabundance of useful features and functions; it reaches out to the camera enthusiast looking for a nice, quality camera. The Sony DSLR A700 is a great pick. Read more

  1. Back Focus Issue

    Reviewer: Amazon
    26 May 2009 See Product at Amazon ($1,499.00)
    Overall 6
    6.0
     

    Great for causal use, good performance/price ratio. Back focus issue with SAL50F14 (50mm/1.4F) & SAL18200 (18~200mm) depending on aperture & zoom settings, couldn't be fixed after 3 repair trips, tired of it, now stuck with blurry quick shots (some of them); if you are slow shooter and have more time to adjusting focus (compensating the back focus) for every photo, it's still a great camera. Many complain on web about A700 back focus issue, be aware! Read more

  2. Tops In Its Class

    Reviewer: Digitalcamera HQ
    06 May 2009
    Overall 10
    10
     

    I have owned the A700 for 18 months. This is a wonderful camera. I take it everywhere and have taken approximately 15,000 images with it. 12 MP is more than enough for most print sizes to include poster sizes up to 24" x 36". 5 frames per second captures most of the action I've gone after. Even with the optional battery grip the camera is nicely balanced and the controls are well placed. The viewfinder is very bright and crisp which is great for low light photography.... Read more

  3. Sony Is It

    Reviewer: David, Digitaltrends
    11 March 2009
    Overall 10
    10
     

    I've gone through so many Canons and Nikons in the past year, all of them were either returned or sold by me, including a Mark II 1Ds. Every time I buy a new camera, I always end up comparing the quality to my old Alpha 100 with the crap kit lens. Strange, but I haven't found any camera that provides the depth, color, sharpness, and accurate dynamic range and bulletproof focus that the Alpha does. Against my better judgment, I bought a Canon 50D. I returned it...I took... Read more

  4. I SIMPLY LOVE THIS CAMERA;~)

    Reviewer: Black Bear Bladeworx, CameraWorld.com
    04 March 2009 See Product at cameraworld.com ($1,099.00)
    Overall 10
    10
     

    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Read more

  5. A lot of bang for the buck

    Reviewer: Ritz Camera
    22 July 2008
    Overall 10
    10
     

    Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Read more

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