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7.6 out of 10

Sony DSLR-A700

12.24 megapixels, first seen: 6 September 2007

Information found in: from 125 sources in 29 countries.

Great Deal: $998.00

  • User Score (348)
    9.5 9.5 from 348 reviewers
  • Expert Score (44)
    8.1 8.1 from 44 reviewers
  • Design (21)
    7.3 7.3 from 21 reviewers
  • Value for money (20)
    7.5 7.5 from 20 reviewers
  • Features (19)
    7.7 7.7 from 19 reviewers
  • Ease of use (17)
    8.0 8.0 from 17 reviewers
  • Performance (7)
    6.9 6.9 from 7 reviewers
  • Picture quality (23)
    7.6 7.6 from 23 reviewers
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Pros & Cons

  • functional feature set, view finder and lcd, comfortable shooting design, well metered, minolta apha mount
  • weather sealing so so, sensor gets dirty, missing top lcd, freezes after repeditive shots, non adjustable lcd

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

  • Format
    SLR
  • Max resolution
    4272 x 2848
  • Low resolution
    3104 x 2064, 2128 x 1424
  • Image ratio w:h
    3:2, 16:9
  • Effective pixels
    12.2 million
  • Sensor photo detectors
    13.0 million
  • Sensor size
    23.5 x 15.6 mm (3.66 cm²)
  • Pixel density
    3.3 MP/cm²
  • Sensor type
    CMOS
  • Sensor manufacturer
    Sony

Release Date

  • First seen
    6 September 2007

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.

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, 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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  • Reviews of Sony DSLR-A700

  1. Sony a700 DSLR

    Reviewer: Think Camera
    3 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

  2. Reviewer: DP Review
    19 December 2007
    Overall 9
    8.8
    Value for money 9
    8.5
    Features 10
    9.5
    Performance 9
    9.0
    Picture quality 9
    9.0
     

    Review based on a production Alpha DSLR-A700 with firmware version 2.0 and 4.0 Update: The noise sections of this review (and the conclusions) were updated February 2009 to reflect significant changes in the way noise reduction works with raw files. Read more

  3. Reviews: Sony DSLR A700 Review

    8 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

  4. Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 final production review

    Reviewer: Camera Labs
    1 November 2007
    Overall 9
    8.7
     

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 Verdict: final production model The Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 is certainly an impressive DSLR and a significant step-up from the debut A100. It proves Sony can produce a camera tailored for higher-end enthusiasts while also incorporating the neat gadgets we’ve come to expect from the electronics giant. In terms of conventional camera features, Sony’s been thoughtful about controls and ergonomics, producing a DSLR which feels good and responds quickly.... Read more

  5. Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 (with 18mm-70mm lens and 75mm-300mm lens)

    Reviewer: CNET
    10 October 2007
    Overall 7
    7.0
    Design 8
    8.0
    Features 8
    8.0
    Performance 7
    7.0
    Picture quality 8
    8.0
     

    The bottom line: A top-of-the-line amateur digital SLR camera, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 will delight Konica Minolta diehards and makes a great choice if you don't already have a stake in other lens systems. Read more

  1. To use it, is to love it!

    Reviewer: bhorne1, CameraWorld.com
    10 May 2009
    Overall 10
    10
     

    Moving up every 2 years from the Minolta D5 to the Alpha a700 showed me that you get what you pay for. The Sony a700 is really a great camera for the price. I was only limited by what I knew, not by the camera. The camera needs a good lens to really show its stuff. I will be looking to the a900 this summer. Sony will be right there with Cannon and Nikon from now on. Read more

  2. Great Camera

    Reviewer: J&R
    16 December 2009
    Overall 10
    10
     

    I use this as backup for my A900 and it couldn't have been a better body. I'd highly recommend this to whomever is looking into starting with Sony. Or until the A7xx predercessor comes out. Read more

  3. "Best of the Best for Wedding Jobs"

    Reviewer: CNET
    22 October 2009
    Overall 10
    10
     

    I OWN 2 CANON CAMERAS, STILL I WILL NOT CHANGE MY SONY FOR MY WEDDING JOBS AS THE QUALITY BEATS THE ONE FROM THE CANON CAMERAS THAT I OWN WITH THE SAME AMOUNT OR MORE OF PIXELS. Read more

  4. VENDOR NOTE OF CAUTION - avoid BUTTERFLY

    Reviewer: Amazon
    25 January 2010 See Product at Amazon ($1,299.95)
    Overall 2
    2.0
     

    I have ordered this camera twice now from the same vendor. In both cases the camera showed as being in stock on the Amazon order page but then two weeks later I received a cancellation notice. I thought that maybe I was misremembering the first experience so I went back to the page, and reordered the camera which showed 7 in stock. This time I emailed and called the vendor to make sure that this order would be filled but I did not receive a response from the vendor in... Read more or see product

  5. Reviewer: DP Review
    16 February 2010
    Overall 9
    8.8
     

    For pirinchov: I can not give this camera only 1 star to compensate your rating because I had it in hand an a friend uses it. Its a good cam. I do not understand, why you give ALL other brands a bad rating. Are you frustrated or paid by Sony? Read more

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