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 camera's 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 |
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A700 Digital Camera Kit with Sony 16-105mm DT AF Lens:
This is my first DSLR camera, I am extremely pleased with the performance. It does have a pretty big learning curve for a newbie, but it has been a very enjoyable experience so far. Sony has done a great job with the layout of the controls just making sense and having the right feel. The menus flow very nicely and are very east to work your way through. Overall I am extremely satisfied with my purchase and will continue to buy products from Sony in the future!
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A700 Digital Camera Kit with Sony 16-105mm DT AF Lens:
For my wedding photography, I found I needed better performance (high ISO and frames per second) and a camera that has easy-to-access settings without having to dive into the menu system like I did on my Alpha 100.
The build of the A700 is a much higher quality, the additional control dial, separate function buttons for ISO, Exp. Comp., WB, and programmable "C" button make it easy to change settings w/o taking my eye away from the viewfinder.
It is a lot heavier than the A100, but it feels good in my hands. Due to weight, I chose to purchase a couple of extra batteries that I carry with me, instead of going with the vertical grip.
The 16-105 lens has a great range and appears to be very sharp despite my desire for the Carl Zeiss 16-80 lens - this one certainly gets the job done.
I am less than impressed how they engineered the second memory slot (Sony memory stick) and the cumbersome way of accessing it, & not being able to copy from CF to MS.
I strongly recommend the LCD screen protector after reading that the 3" LCD is very susceptible to scratches, and looking at the screen protector, it's already showing wear.
The A700 doesn't claim to be a professional DSLR, nor is it weather sealed like some of the Nikons and Canons, but it is up to the task for everyday pro work if you have a collection of Minolta lenses like I do.
Be sure to upgrade to v.4 of the firmware - I also wish they had made the exposure bracketing feature more flexible in being programmed by the user
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A700 Digital Camera Kit with Sony 16-105mm DT AF Lens:
I use this camera in a gymnase for olympic games and competition like that,the shutter,the speed of th processeur, for the inside it is a topspeed,and the color is realy nice,the greater of the lcd screem,for me it OK
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A700 Digital Camera Kit with Sony 16-105mm DT AF Lens:
This is my first DSLR. Last year I moved into digital Photography and bought a Canon G-9.
Already on my first workshop that camera's limitations were evident, so I decided to sell it and get a Reflex.
As a owner of the whole Minolta X-700 lens system, I got a MD/ AF lens adapter, so I may continue to use my old lenses.
I'm pretty happy with my new system, but been used to change batteries every 3-4 years... I just cannot get used to the fact that one must carry 4-5 batteries per day during a workshop.
Overall, the camera is very sturdy, has a great grip, and the DRO is an interesting feature that IF used with a decent HDR software, will yield a full 16 STOP dynamic range as good as any 50.000 Usd camera.
Not planning to move to a A900 for the time being, because of the APS-C 1.5x crop factor ( great Tele!!).
After Firmware 4 the camera got even nicer. Many studies say it now beats the Nikon D300 ( presumably the same sensor) in many image parameters...
Definitivelly a good addition to my System. User must make sure to use a Wein Safe Sync when using a X Sync ( Pc terminal) studio flash on this camera.
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A700 Digital Camera Kit with Sony 16-105mm DT AF Lens:
Was very easy to pickup after my KM Maxxum 7d. But better! Easier to operate. MUCH quicker response time, and simple to use for other family members as well.
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A700 Digital Camera Kit with Sony 16-105mm DT AF Lens:
I've been a non-professional photographer for almost 30 years, with the opportunity to travel the world for business ... and shoot photos that require high speed capability ...
My film camera system was a Minolta X5, with a pretty extensive Minolta lens set, so I was very disappointed in the original Minolta DSLRs ... so much so that I got a Canon 350D (in the US, that's a Rebel XT) with two zooms for a digital system. Well, now I can upgrade my DSLR resolution, go to the best resolution LCD on the market (3 inches, over 950,000 pixels), AND use highly respected optics (when Leica was looking for a partner for their Leica CL, they chose Minolta as one of the few Japanese lens manufacturers who not only built their own lenses -- they made their own glass!). Two minor gripes about the alpha700: the LCD protector is out of stock everywhere; and the camera hotshoe is unique, so many older flash units won't function with this camera (you can set up for remote flash and use any flash in that way). On the other hand, 12.2 Mpixels, rapid continuous firing, a vey wide ranging shutter speed, and a spectacular LCD make me a very happy customer.
Comments about Alpha DSLR-A700 Digital Camera Kit with Sony 16-105mm DT AF Lens:
This Camera was so cool and good price. I wish Sony will make Full frame one day soon. The price will very very helpful for people. Quality camera for Night time. Sony can be the best camera digital 2008. I was so happy about Sony Alpha DSLR-A700. It was so great for nice shoots that I can use ISO 3200 to keep the background and no problem. It was so helpful for any Church weddings too.
Expertise: Pr.protographer and graphic designer
Previous Equivalent Item Owned: canon 5D, 20D
Items I Recommend: 70-200 mm F2.8
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