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 with 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 that 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 |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A700 Digital Camera Kit with Sony 18-200mm AF Lens:
My hobby is fotography and for my first time I decided to buy I sony camera. It was a great choice because I had the opportunity to test it during my wedding. I feel a grand satisfaction for shooting indoors and outdoors. The color of the images are really good and the quality is the best. The camera offers many different options on how to use and the lens gives me an over expected satisfaction. I will truly recommend this camera. A must buy.
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A700 Digital Camera Kit with Sony 18-200mm AF Lens:
After updating the software from Ver. 3 to ver. 4 in Sony's site, I could see that the main thing that disturbed me at the camera (poor in low light) was actually resolved.
Excellent and accurate pictures in high as much as in low light, very friendly in daily use and not too heavy to handle for someone who wants a very high dslr in reaonable price.
The 18-200 zoom in very convinient for trips, cover most your needs and spare you the need to carry many lenses.
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A700 Digital Camera Kit with Sony 18-200mm AF Lens:
It is an excellent camera. Fast, beautiful, robust, intuitive, with a great picture quality. The Dro is really useful. I am so glad that I purchase a Sony A300 camera as a reserve. Here in Brazil is very difficult to find high-quality lenses for the sony. In the kit lens (18-200 mm) is very slow and fails to ocasições low light. I have not adapted to the excess of yellow in the images of overcast weather situations (settings white balance). There are already 3 or 4 years that I buy at B & H. It is a great store with excellent service. Definitely, the B & H is the best shop in the industry.
In general, a-700 is the best camera I ever had.
other cameras already used:
Nikon D70s, Olynpus E-1 and Canon Poer Shot G7
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A700 Digital Camera Kit with Sony 18-200mm AF Lens:
This is a great prosumer camera. It can be used as a point and shoot, or the photographer can take control of everything.
The lens is a little slow, but it's light and focuses quickly. A great camera deserves a better lens, though.
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A700 Digital Camera Kit with Sony 18-200mm AF Lens:
I have been using this camera on mountain hikes, at football and basketball games. Sony has picked up where Minolta left off and improved the design along with adding new features to make this one AWESOME combo. It works great with all of my Auto Minolta lenses from my 7D. I am able to use most all of my gear from the Minolta with this camera.
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A700 Digital Camera Kit with Sony 18-200mm AF Lens:
The Alpha DSLR-A700 is overall a fantastic camera. The large LCD and menu are easy to use and the camera handles very nicely. I do mostly landscape photography and the pictures that it captures show very well on my Sony big screen television channelled through an HDMI connection.
I find only 2 distacting points: no live view and no universal external flash mount - it will only accept Sony external flash units.
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A700 Digital Camera Kit with Sony 18-200mm AF Lens:
I've shot digital for a about half a decade now, and this is by far my favorite camera I own. I picked it up after receiving it from B&H and instantly ran through all the controls. everything is set up so intuitively, it all just falls into place. I've shot it with everything from the 18-200 it came with, to a 50 mm f/1.4 and every lens I've put on it is extremely fast autofocusing. resolution is great. low light capapbility is great, I printed a near perfect 8x10 glossy that was shot at iso 2000. I can't wait to get the vertical grip for all my studio work. oh yeah, the fact that I can hook right up to my studio lighting without any adapters is great.
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A700 Digital Camera Kit with Sony 18-200mm AF Lens:
I am a pro photographer. I have literally ruined more expensive cameras shooting weddings. This camera is rugged enough and still has the quality I want for my images. The shutter is pretty loud, but I can over look that since the images are so very nice.
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A700 Digital Camera Kit with Sony 18-200mm AF Lens:
I have owned the A-100 for about a year, but needed the speed of the A-700 to keep up with the Sony 70-200 mm f 2.8 lens. They make a perfect combination for shooting sports and indoor performances. But the bonus for me was getting the 18-200 mm lens that came with the kit. It is small and light weight and has a great range. It is not fast, but for use with a flash or just routine shots, it is great. It will be on my camera most of the time.
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A700 Digital Camera Kit with Sony 18-200mm AF Lens:
Took a road trip to Arizona, California & Nevada... had this new camera with the 500mm reflex lens as well... the only thing wrong, was the photographer with a new camera.. the camera did wonderful in all sorts of lighting conditions and scenes... would recommend this camera to anyone just getting started into DSLR equipment... had many positive comments from other photographers i ran into along the trip as well...
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