As soon as I moved from Konica Minolta Dynax 5D to the Sony A700, I realized that my photographs improved dramatically. The new Sony is designed for the photo enthusiast. What I like most: fantastic grip, high-resolution LCD, big and bright viewfinder, dual Compact Flash and Memory Stick Pro Duo card slots, image stabilization and easy menu. The A700 has a wonderful combination of quality and shooting features.
Date:
2008-05-22 - 13:53:19
Author:
WillyB
Rating:
A great jump in term of quality between A100 and A700. The DSLR is more demanding in term of adjustments. The management of the noise is exceptional. The details obtained are impressive. Really happy of this upgrade.
Date:
2008-05-28 - 08:55:21
Author:
Kaale445
Rating:
I recently upgrade my Konika-Minolta 5D to Sony A700. This is the easiest camera and rear LCD shows you all the important settings at one time in large easy to read format. This is, with the earlier purchased Sony 1,4/50 and Zeiss 3,5-4,5/16-80, perfect camera for meny years every-day use - enougth high sensitivity, fast AF, numerous capable features / options you can acquire easily and good in hand. Enought good too for jpg shooting in very sophisticated situations.
It will be nice to have the well designed as small as possible "street/path bag" for camera and 1 medium size extra lens (something like 1,4/50), to have free hands and neck, which can be carried on the coxa/gird, not only on the shoulder. As Sony has now 5 models of DSLR with the approximately same dimentions, this bag can be the perfect accessory (something like 230x200x130 mm).
Date:
2008-06-14 - 13:57:38
Author:
Seldy
Rating:
Comparing A700 to Canon/Nikon
I am comparing the Alpha 700 against Canons and Nikons I have had.
Construction. Generally very good and well put together. It has the usual plastic battery and card covers, but, a negative against its C&N peers, the back is plastic - only the front, top and base are alloy. The flash also feels a bit flimsier than usual.
Features. No live view - but I knew that and don't miss it. The DRO is very interesting - but really only applies to jpegs. I like the single screen on the back and quick navi - this works well. Very flexible and just the right size and weight with the 16-105. No problems with dust bunnies yet (I hope the camera can't hear thiis!) and Super Steady Shot seems very effective.
I bought it with the 16-105. I think IQ is OK - not fully decided yet. Again DRO can have a major (positive) impact on contrasty scenes. Hangs onto highlights OK. I find it a little more saturated and contrasty than I am used to - but that's just my learing curve. Not sure I fully understand the difference between raw and jpeg from this camera yet - especially around DRO and noise reduction. Not too much experience with high ISO - so can't comment on this. With so many pixels it is even more important to print than simply pixel peep.
Ease of use - no real problems - see below about the software. The camera seems fast, comfortable and easy to use. Neat and well balanced with the 16-105. I find the menus clear. Viewfinder nice and bright.
VFM - OK - I got a pricematch and cashback - Sony were very fast here. I suspect that as the market heats up it will get even more competitive and suspect that the A700 may depreciate faster than a C/N. I note that fixed FL Minolta lenses are increasing in price - no surprise here!
Date:
2008-06-25 - 11:00:10
Author:
Kalih56
Rating:
A700 after Nikon
This is my third DSLR after Nikon D1X and D40x.
I tried my friends Canon (400D, 20D, 5D) before deciding against them and jump ship to Sony.
Images straight out of the a700 shows very accurate color rendition with good tonal range. I really like all the buttons on the body so that you don't have to dig through the menu system. Camera is pretty fast and battery life seems to be good. Please buy vertical grip, it is a must on a700 - match made in haven. I had little bit of back focussing issue, but it was promptly fixed by Sony Canada. Put on 50mm 1.4 or any macro lens and you won't need scanner anymore. two thumbs up from me.
