Alpha DSLR-A700

Released September 2007

A 12.24 MP APS-C DSLR with sensor-shift stabilisation, a pentaprism viewfinder and 5 fps continuous shooting.

Type: DSLR
Sensor: APS-C
Megapixels: 12.24
Lens: Sony A-mount
Video: –
Body weight: 690 g

What reviewers say

Both reviews praised handling, controls and image quality, while noting the absence of live view. PhotographyBlog found soft default JPEGs and heavy detail loss at ISO 3200–6400; Photo Review was more positive about high-ISO noise. PhotographyBlog also found stabilisation useful but below the four-stop claim, and persistent dust on its sample.

From photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com and photoreview.com.au

Specifications

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Image and sensor

Camera type: DSLR
Sensor format: APS-C
Sensor type: CMOS
Sensor dimensions: 23.5 × 15.6 mm
Effective resolution: 12.24 MP
Largest image: 4272 × 2848
RAW recording: Yes
Standard ISO range: 100–3200
Sensor detail: Exmor CMOS; 13.05 million total pixels; RGB primary-colour filter; anti-static coating and sensor-shift dust removal
Image formats: JPEG, RAW (Sony ARW 2.0), compressed cRAW and RAW/cRAW+JPEG; 3:2 or cropped 16:9 JPEGs; Sony’s launch table specifies RAW 4288 × 2856 separately from JPEG 4272 × 2848
ISO detail: ISO 100–3200 in 1/3-stop steps, expandable to ISO 6400; Auto range configurable. Sony’s exact table differs from Photo Review’s ISO comparison table.
Image processor: BIONZ with noise reduction in the RAW processing stage

Lens and shooting

Lens mount: Sony A-mount
Stabilisation: Sensor shift
Maximum continuous burst: 5 fps
Lens detail: Interchangeable Sony A-mount; compatible Sony, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lenses; kit optics are separate from body specifications
Autofocus: TTL phase detection with 11 points, centre dual-cross sensor and additional F2.8 precision sensor; single-shot, automatic and continuous AF, direct manual focus and manual focus; selectable Eye-Start AF; EV 0–18 detection at ISO 100; dedicated AF-assist lamp
Shutter: Electronically controlled vertical-traverse focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/8000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/250 second with stabilisation off or 1/200 second with it on; Sony rates durability at approximately 100,000 cycles
Burst detail: Up to 5 fps Hi or 3 fps Lo; Sony’s Japanese table claims 16 Extra Fine JPEGs, 18 RAW, 25 cRAW or 12 RAW/cRAW+JPEG frames; Standard/Fine JPEGs can continue to card capacity. Shooting conditions and card speed affect results; PhotographyBlog lists lower RAW/cRAW buffer counts.
Stabilisation detail: Super SteadyShot sensor shift; Sony claims approximately 2.5–4 stops depending on lens and shooting conditions; excludes Minolta AF Macro Zoom 3X–1X F1.7–2.8
Flash: Built-in pop-up flash with guide number 12 in metres at ISO 100; ADI and pre-flash TTL control; PC sync terminal; compatible external flashes support wireless and high-speed sync
Exposure controls: Program, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual exposure; scene modes; 40-segment honeycomb, centre-weighted or spot metering; ±3 EV compensation in 1/2- or 1/3-stop steps; D-Range Optimizer, 14 Creative Styles, Quick Navi and three saved shooting setups

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: Optical
Screen size: 3″
Screen dots: 921,600
Display detail: Fixed 3.0-inch Xtra Fine TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating; 921,600 dots count colour subpixels; shooting settings appear on the rear screen rather than a top status LCD
Viewfinder detail: Fixed eye-level pentaprism; approximately 95% coverage and 0.9× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity; Spherical Acute Matte focusing screen; optical depth-of-field preview

Connections and design

Battery life (maker's claim): 650 photographs
Body weight: 690 g
Release detail: Sony China announced retail for the end of September 2007; month precision retained. Sony Japan’s revised press release gives 9 November 2007, moved forward from 16 November.
Recording media: Separate CompactFlash Type I/II (UDMA Mode 5) and Memory Stick Duo/PRO Duo/PRO-HG Duo slots; Microdrive support; recording medium selected by the user
Ports: USB 2.0 Hi-Speed; HDMI Type C mini for still-image playback; NTSC/PAL video output; wired remote-release connector, flash sync and DC input; supplied software supports computer remote control
Battery life detail: NP-FM500H; Sony CIPA claim approximately 650 photographs with built-in flash used for half the shots; optional VG-C70AM grip holds two batteries. PhotographyBlog’s NP-FM55H reference is contradicted by Sony’s explicit incompatibility note.
Charging: Supplied BC-VM10 external charger; optional AC-VQ900AM adaptor/charger
Dimensions: Approximately 141.7 × 104.8 × 79.7 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions
Weight detail: Approximately 690 g without battery, memory card, lens or accessories; loaded weight not published in Sony’s table
Materials: Magnesium-alloy front and upper covers with aluminium internal chassis; seals around controls and card door reduce dust and moisture ingress, without guaranteeing waterproofing
Colours: Black
In the box: NP-FM500H battery, BC-VM10 charger and power cord, RMT-DSLR1 wireless remote, USB and video cables, shoulder strap, eyepiece cover and cup, body and shoe caps, software CD

Video

Video detail: Still-image DSLR without video recording or rear-screen live view (PhotographyBlog and Photo Review)

Pros and cons

Pros

Sensor-shift stabilisation built into the body
Pentaprism optical viewfinder
Separate CompactFlash and Memory Stick Duo slots

Cons

No live view or video recording
690 g body weight before battery and lens

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
NikonD300	DSLR	APS-C	12.3	Nikon F mount	–	825 g	Nov 2007
NikonD40x	DSLR	APS-C	10.2	Nikon F mount	–	495 g	Mar 2007
NikonD40	DSLR	APS-C	6.1	Nikon F mount	–	475 g	Dec 2006

Sources

Photo: sony.jp

Sony Alpha A700, black body, rear display and controls: Sony Japan; A700 product-photo section, black body, rear display and controls.

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