 Possibly the best value in semi-Pro Digital SLRs |
| Review Date: July 13, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Timothy K. Hamilton, St. Louis, Missouri USA |
Sony Alpha A700K 12.24MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED LensSony Alpha A700 12.24MP Digital SLR Camera with 16-105mm LensSony Alpha A700 12.24MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
A FREE color temperature analyzer included (which would cost $1,200 separately)! As I describe below, there is a little discussed feature that allows you to set the white balance for the ambient light practically perfectly.
I have had my Sony Alpha 700 for about six weeks now, have used it extensively on a vacation, and have tried most of the features.
I'm impressed with:
- the solid "feel" of the camera build
- the 5 frames per second continuous shooting until the card is full (many other more expensive cameras have a limit)
- autofocus is blazing fast, and as reviewed in PopPhoto, is faster than even the best Nikons and Canons in good light.
- there are several ways to access almost any setting or function, and seemingly endless customization of settings.
- Though the Auto white balance isn't always as accurate as I'd like, there is an amazing feature with will allow you to set an custom white balance in a mixed or difficult light situation by using a gray or white card and having the camera "read" the light. It not only gets the Kelvin temperature right, but also adjust to Green/Magenta filter color casts from G9 to M9. To get that quality ambient light sensing, you would have to buy a $1,200 Color temperature sensor (Minolta made one). So basically you get a color analyzer for free with the camera.
- I have quickly gotten used to the separate buttons for the setting I adjust most frequently: Drive setting (for bracketing or time delay), White Balance, and ISO.
- The Dynamic Range (DR) Capabilities are phenomenal. I've shot photos in horribly contrasty situations and been able to get detail in both shadows and highlights. There are 8 levels of adjustment for DR.
- The information you can get on playback is extensive and useful when you press the "C" button.
- I love having a % of battery life left, but I hated having to have to sell my old batteries from my Alpha 100 because they won't fit due to the new feature.
What I don't like:
- the little "joystick" control is difficult for me when I try to press it to confirm a setting. Otherwise it works fine directionally.
- I've found that I get better exposures with a -.5 EV compensation. The histograms are almost always perfect in that situation.
Overall, it's the best value in a semi-pro (bang for the buck) that I've come across after extensive evaluation. I'm also confident that Sony will continue to market it's DSLRs seriously and continue to offer a wider model line. Sony has staying power and marketing muscle. So far it only has about 6% of the worldwide DSLR market, but I'm confident that will grow due to the quality and value of it's camera product line, including the Zeiss lenses. |
A great camera, great value for your money
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| Review Date: January 1, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Diego Raigoza Nuñez, Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico |
The A700 is Sony's declaration that they can play in the big leagues (as they showed us with the A900).
Even though it may be a year and a few months old, this camera enjoys the benefits of the recent launch of firmware version 4 which enhances the noise reduction in both JPEG and RAW among other things. It practically reinvogorated this camera.
It's 12.24 megapixels will work well for large prints (although if you're gonna print wall size, you're better off with the A900).
This camera is fast, responsive, easy to use and highly customizable. You can chose from a variety of options to make your photography faster and more enjoyable with this camera.
It may be heavy for some people, but thats due to the magnesium casing which protects the inside. This camera is meant for hard work and serious business.
For those people who used Minolta SLRs and still keep their lenses, they can use them on this camera, since the Alpha DSLR line benefits of the A-mount that Minolta and KonicaMinolta cameras used.
It doesnt have live view, if you need it, you should get the A300/350.
This camera however, shares one feature along with its A100/900 sisters, the Depth Of Field button, which in few words, closes down the lens to the selected aperture so you can see how sharp the image will be. This is a VERY important tool to have if you care about composition and want absolute control of how your pictures will come out.
Don't be thrown off by the fact this is the oldest camera in the range right now, if you really want and need all the features this camera has to offer, get it, the replacement model for this camera wont be arriving before Fall 2009, thats a lot of time to wait and you will miss a lot of shots during that time. At the prices this camera has right now, its a great deal. You wont regret getting this camera.
The great advantage of this kit is that it comes with a 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 zoom lens. You will read a lot of negative reviews about this lens, about how unsharp it is, how this, how that. Dont pay attention to it. If you're on a budget and you need this camera and a decent lens to start with, get it. The unsharpness issues you can correct by setting the camera's sharpness levels. Besides, its the photographer that makes the picture, not the lens. Having an expensive lens wont make you take better pictures.
Ive shot a lot of photos with this camera and lens and Im extremely happy so far. This lens may not be exactly a fast lens, but its a great lens to begin using a DSLR.
The A700 gives you a great value for your money, lots of options and excellent results at an affordable price.
Don't hesitate, if you want/need this camera, get it. You wont be disappointed. |
Wonderful camera, and a bargain on the 18-200mm lens
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| Review Date: April 16, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Reviewer, Brooklyn, NY |
I'm very pleased with the Sony Alpha 700.
(1) PLEASANT SURPRISE: the Sony (Alpha) A700 is only slightly bigger than my Minolta Maxxum 7 film SLR. Many digital SLR's are big and clunky; the A700 is almost as easy to carry as a film SLR.
(2) EXCELLENT CONTROLS! Three buttons on the top right of the A700 give immediate access to Exposure Compensation, ISO setting, and White Balance - each of these can be adjusted quickly, for each shot. (ISO setting is like being able to change film speed, for each shot; White Balance is like setting film type - Daylight, Tungsten, or other - for each shot)
(3) EASY, QUICK MENUS. I never imagined I would praise the menus on a digital camera. On my 3 megapixel Olympus point-and-shoot, changing a setting requires laborious searches through stacks of submenus. The menu layout on the Sony A700 is head-and-shoulders superior to any point-and-shoot I have used. Two or at most three clicks suffice to change any setting. Using menus on the A700 is almost a pleasure.
(4) PHOTO QUALITY. The Sony Alpha 700 uses essentially the same photo-sensor that Sony supplies to Nikon for the top-of-the-line Nikon D300. Its picture quality is at the top of the class.
I first bought a digital camera 8 years ago, but never enjoyed using point-and-shoot digital cameras. Poor controls, really lousy viewfinders, sloppy and inaccurate autofocus, long shutter lags which make action photography impossible, all made me dislike point-and shoot digital cameras. For photography where the pictures mattered, I continued to use a high-quality film SLR camera. The Sony Alpha 700 is the first digital camera I have used that performs as well as a top-quality film SLR. This is the first digital camera that I enjoy using.
SONY 18-200mm LENS: the Sony 18-200 mm lens may very possibly have the optical system of the Tamron 18-200mm lens, mounted in a Sony lens mount (Sony owns Tamron). Tamron introduced a newer 18-250mm lens in 2007, which also comes in a Sony version, and the 18-200mm has become essentially a closeout item. Originally priced at $499, the 18-200mm lens is now offered for only $200 extra when bought with an Alpha 700 body (the newer Sony 18-250mm lens now costs $549). But the 18-200mm is close in optical quality to the highly praised Tamron/Sony 18-250mm, it is very sharp at most focal lengths, and my copy is mechanically perfect, with smooth zooming and no `creep.' For only $200 extra with a camera body, the Sony 18-200mm lens is not just a bargain, it's a steal.
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Alpha 700 sony digital camera
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| Review Date: February 25, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Gary D. Godby, Ga. USA |
| This camera is a pleasent suprise after using the sony alpha 100 that I bought several years ago. I was a little bit disapointed in it , but this camera does'nt come up short so far. On board flash is strong, controls are simple and easy to get to, and it is very fast. Like I said , I am pleasently suprised. |
Back Focus Issue
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| Review Date: May 26, 2009 |
| Reviewer: David, San Diego, CA USA |
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! |
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