Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
It ’s been over two age since Sony unblock the Alpha DSLR - A100 K ( ) , its first digital single - genus Lens reflex ( DSLR ) camera . The DSLR - A100 K was a good camera based on engineering that Sony acquire from Konica Minolta ’s DSLR division , but two years is a foresighted time in the digital picture taking universe . tv camera technology has changed since the DSLR - A100 K ’s release .
Now , Sony has release the raw in its Alpha line , the Alpha DSLR - A700 . With some important upgrades and a number of change , the DSLR - A700 aims at a different eccentric of photographer than the type that would use the DSLR - A100K. Hoping to tempt advanced amateurs , the DSLR - A700 vie powerfully against DSLRs like Canon ’s EOS 40D ( ) and Nikon ’s D300 ( ) .
The DSLR - A700 lens kit includes a 16 mm to 105 mm f/3.5 - f/5.6 electron lens .
The DSLR-A700 lens kit includes a 16mm to 105mm f/3.5-f/5.6 lens.
The DSLR - A700 has a 12.2 - megapixel CMOS sensor and a Bionz ( Sony ’s name for its fresh imaging chip that has been optimized for the DSLR - A700 ’s detector ) image processor . With the compounding of the new sensor and trope processor , the DSLR - A700 offers good stochasticity reduction and a performance boost over the DSLR - A100K. With a burst fastness of 5 frames per second and a bleak buffer that can hold 18 Raw files , the DSLR - A700 is veracious in line with its competition , public presentation - wise .
In the viewfinder , the DSLR - A700 use a pentaprism ( to think over light from the genus Lens to the viewfinder ) rather than a pentamirror . The practical upshot is that the pentaprism in the DSLR - A700 creates an image in the view finder that ’s brighter and clear than the pentamirror viewfinder image in the DSLR - A100K.
Like the DSLR - A100 K , the DSLR - A700 apply a sensor - based stabilization mechanism to help thin the effect of camera shake on your shots . The stabiliser is definitely meliorate , and does seem to offer at least three Michigan of stabilisation ( Sony claims four stops ) . Your mileage will vary depending on how steady your hand is . The one major downside to sensor - based stabilisation is that you do n’t actually see the effects of the stabilisation inside the viewfinder , wee-wee it difficult to ensnare telephoto shots .
The DSLR-A700 has a 3-inch LCD.
The DSLR - A700 electron lens kit include a 16 mm to 105 mm f/3.5 to f/5.6 genus Lens , which has a 35 mm film equivalency of 24 mm to 160 mm . The crystalline lens is diminished and light-headed , and return decent image sharpness with some occasional chromatic optical aberration ( empurpled fringe that appear around gamey - contrast edges ) .
The DSLR - A700 is well made and sturdy ; like the Olympus E-3 ( ) that it competes with , it offers conditions sealing that help oneself it defy detritus and moisture . The handgrip has good moldings that make for a unfluctuating clutch and easy manipulation . Like the DSLR - A100 K , the DSLR - A700 has a good figure of international controls and clitoris . In general , you wo n’t have to dive into a menu to adjust basic shooting role . However , some of the controls , like drive mode , white balance , and ISO , are difficult to give without changing your grip on the camera , whether you ’re attend through the viewfinder or not . This slows down shooting and makes the tv camera more clumsy than it demand to be .
A mode telephone dial on the top of the camera lease you change from political platform mode to antecedence and manual mode , as well as to custom picture modes . Exposure recompense , ISO , snowy balance , ram modality , and course of study shift can all be set from external restraint .
The DSLR - A700 has a 3 - inch LCD .
Unfortunately , the finder does n’t show ISO preferences . You have to frustratingly move your optic from the viewfinder to change ISO ; if you ’re expect through the viewfinder , you ’ll determine that the ISO control is not positioned for easy access .
The photographic camera lacks a top - mounted status display ; its 3 - inch rear LCD is used to display camera configurations . The DSLR - A700 ’s LCD extend gamy resolution and a bright display that ’s leisurely to see in sunlight . That said , I still opt a dedicated condition display ; they ’re easier to see and you do n’t have to cypher out how to ferment them on and off .
The problem with using the LCD for status is that when you look through the finder , there ’s a bright screen shining in your eye . Sony addresses this job with a propinquity sensor that automatically turn the filmdom on and off as you put the camera to your eye . This works well most of the meter , but there are still clip when the LCD screen becomes a distraction . For example , if you ’re look through the viewfinder and you actuate the Exposure Compensation control , the LCD lights up . In low light , the burnished CRT screen can obscure your view .
Sony uses the proximity detector for another use . The tv camera ’s continuous autofocus feature ( which tells the camera to incessantly autofocus as the photographic camera is moved around ) automatically activate when you put the photographic camera to your eye , and inactivate as you take the photographic camera away . This can serve keep battery life . The most glaring miss feature film is live view — the ability to expend the LCD as a viewfinder . I do n’t practice live vista often , but because all of the compete photographic camera have this feature , its absence from the DSLR - A700 is quite obtrusive .
Macworld’s buying advice
The Sony Alpha DSLR - A700 is penny-pinching to being a strong competitor in the DSLR market place . It can produce good images , but it ’s obvious when using the photographic camera that Sony does not have the legacy of port growth that Canon and Nikon have . The DSLR - A700 has enough handle quirks to frustrate photographers , specially those who suddenly find themselves in a photo chance .
[ Ben Long is the author ofComplete Digital Photography , fourth version ( Charles River Media , 2007 ) . ]
