The Sony α (Alpha) DSLR-A700 Digital Camera features advanced imaging technologies and ultra-responsive operation, as well as a lightweight, dust- and moisture-resistant, magnesium alloy construction, making it ideal for the photo enthusiast or serious photo hobbyist.
It incorporates Sony's Super SteadyShot image stabilization in the camera body and is compatible with most Minolta Maxxum mount lenses in addition to Sony's selection of high quality lenses. The camera's 12.2-megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor provides impressive image quality with noise reduction right on the sensor itself for incredibly clear images - even at high ISO settings. While the BIONZ processing engine, which has been optimized to process data-rich picture information at high speeds, and to further reduce picture noise, provides detailed images with rich tonal reproduction.
The DSLR-A700 camera provides for extensive creative control beginning with fourteen creative styles, including night view, autumn leaves or vivid, which can be selected to enhance images. These effects can then be fine-tuned by customizing contrast, sharpness, zone matching and other parameters. Furthermore, Sony's Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO) function provides users the ability to choose the desired level of detail recovered in areas of shadow.
Additionally, there is an extensive array of customization options to personalize the camera to match shooting styles. Up to 28 camera settings can be stored in one of three user memories for instant recall, and the cameras custom function button can be assigned to 15 frequently-accessed functions.
The large, bright, viewfinder uses a precision-ground optical glass pentaprism, and includes an interchangeable spherical acute matte focusing screen so you can easily discern focus and framing. Then view your photos on the 3-inch XtraFine LCD screen, with its ultra-sharp resolution that makes it possible to check focus and image quality with much greater accuracy.
The camera also features an HDMI output for connection to HDTV sets, putting a high-resolution spin on the conventional photo slideshow.
| Camera Type | Interchangeable Lens SLR (Single Lens Reflex) Digital Camera |
| Image Quality | |
|---|---|
| Image Sensor | APS-C (23.5 x 15.6mm) 12.24 Megapixel (effective) Exmor Sensor with RGB primary color filter and CCD-shift dust reduction mechanism |
| Effective Resolution | 12.24 million pixels |
| Color Depth | 36-Bit RGB (14-bit A/D conversion) |
| Color Modes | Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Adobe RGB, Clear, Deep, Light, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Night view, Autumn, B/W, Sepia |
| Image File Formats |
RAW (.ARW 2.0 - Compressed or uncompressed) JPEG (Extra Fine, Fine, Standard) RAW + JPEG (Fine) |
| Recorded Resolution |
4288 x 2856 (L-RAW) 4272 x 2848 (L) 4272 x 2400 (L) 16:9 3104 x 2064 (M) 2128 x 1424 (S) 2128 x 1200 (S) 16:9 |
| Video Recording | No |
| Audio Recording | No |
| Optics | |
|---|---|
| Lens Mount | Sony A-type bayonet mount (compatible with Minolta A-type bayonet mount) |
| Focal Length Multiplier | 1.5x |
| Optical Image Stabilization | Yes (CCD-Shift Super SteadyShot system) |
| Focus Control | |
|---|---|
| Focus Type | TTL Phase Detection Auto Focus with 11-Point Center Dual Cross AF Sensor with Eye-Start Autofocus System and AF Illuminator Light |
| Focus Modes | Multi-point, Wide focus, Spot focus, Local focus, Visual Focus Confirm |
| Exposure Control | |
|---|---|
| Sensitivity |
Auto ISO (200 - 1600) Selectable ISO (100, 200, 400, 800, 1600) Expanded Sensitivity (Up to ISO 6400) |
| Shutter Type | Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane Shutter |
| Shutter Speed |
30 - 1/8000 second Bulb |
| Mirror Lock-Up | Yes |
| Exposure Metering | Multi-Pattern measuring with 40-segment honeycomb pattern (Multi-segment, Center Weighted, Spot) |
| Exposure Modes | Auto, Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Full Manual (with EV indicator), Exposure Compensation (±3.0 EV in 1/3 EV Steps), AE Lock, AE Bracketing (0.3 or 0.7 EV steps) |
| White Balance Modes | Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Kelvin temperature control (2500-9900k w/19-step Magenta/Green compensation) |
| Scene Modes | Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night view/portrait |
| Flash | |
|---|---|
| Built-in Flash | Yes Manual Pop-up (Auto, Fill-flash, Rear flash sync, Red-eye reduction) |
| Effective Flash Range | 39' (12m) @ ISO 100 |
| External Flash Connection |
Proprietary Hot Shoe (compatible with Minolta and select Sony flashes) Wireless off camera flash (with Sony HVL-F56AM & F36AM Flash Units) |
| External Flash Control | ADI, Preflash TTL |
| Maximum Flash Synchronization Speed |
1/250 second (Steady-Shot off) 1/200 second (Steady-Shot on) |
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Start-Up Time | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Shutter Lag | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Time Between Shots | Less than 1 second |
| Burst Capability | Continuous Hi/Lo: 5 fps/3fps to limit of media in JPEG (Up to 8 RAW images) |
| Self Timer | 10 seconds or 2 seconds |
| Interval Recording | No |
| Date & Time Stamp | No |
| Memory & Power | |
|---|---|
| Built-in Memory | No |
| Compatible Memory Cards |
CompactFlash (Type I & II)/Microdrive Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick PRO Duo media |
| File Size | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Battery Type | NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable battery |
| Power Adapter | Proprietary AC Adapter (optional) |
| Input/Output | |
|---|---|
| Computer Interface | USB 2.0 (Hi-speed) |
| Direct Print Capable | No |
| Remote Control | RMT-DSLR1 Wireless Remote Commander (included) |
| Video Output |
NTSC & Pal via USB port HDTV via mini HDMI socket |
| System & Software Requirements |
Microsoft Windows 2000, XP, Vista Macintosh OS X (10.3 or later) |
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Viewfinder | Eye-level fixed pentaprism with Spherical Acute Matte focusing screen (interchangeable) and Diopter Adjust (-3 to + 1.0m-1) |
| Viewfinder Info | AF information (AF points, focus confirmation light), exposure information (shutter speed, aperture, manual exposure, spot metering circle, ISO speed, exposure level, exposure warning), flash information (flash ready, flash exposure level), white balance correction, JPEG recording, number of remaining shots, memory card information, Anti-shake system indicator |
| Depth-of-Field Preview | Yes |
| LCD Display | 3.0" TFT Color LCD (921,000 pixels) with Clear Photo design |
| Information Display | Uses color LCD to present all camera info; Metering mode, Shooting mode, Aperture, AF mode, AF point, Shutter speed, ISO, Shots remaining, Drive mode, Battery level, Exposure compensation setting, Flash compensation setting |
| Language Options | English, French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Japanese |
| Playback Options | Single Image, Index (4, 9, 16 selectable), Image + text, Image + text + histogram, Enlarged playback (Up to approximately 5x), Luminance limit Display, File browser, Slideshow, Instant bracket playback, Enlarged display, Automatic rotate function, Image correction (Contrast, Color saturation, Sharpness, Hue (5 levels)) |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 5.6 x 4.3 x 3.3" (142 x 105 x 80mm) Camera Body Only |
| Weight | 24 0z. (690g) Camera Body Only |