Sony Alpha A700 12.24MP Digital SLR Camera with 16-105mm Lens
by Sony
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Our Price: $2,499.00 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $1,350.00 (click here) Category: Digital Camera See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sony Alpha A700 12.24MP Digital SLR Camera with 16-105mm Lens
Customer Review: Felt Like Second Nature
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased this camera as an upgrade to my sony A100, because I was building my photography business, and WOW was I impressed. I hit limits with the A100 and was looking for a great upgrade. I spent days, DAYS looking around, reading, researching cameras in the sony lineup and this one hit everything on the mark (I had a collection of old minolta lens and sony lens already). It's definitely something I can grow with for the next two years.
Pros:
+ being a sony user - it felt so intuitive, I knew what I was doing after 5 minutes of use
+ ISO handling is awesome
+ the 16-105 Sony lens is amazing for the price
+ its size is impressive and the body is built wonderfully with the magnesium alloy body
+ comes with a wireless remote
+ the 3" LCD screen spoiled me rotten :)
+ the AF/MF back button - I can quickly go between the two - it's simple awesome
Cons:
+ the joystick is annoying for quick navigation through photos but you can scroll thru it all (also its the "enter" button pretty annoying there too)
+ weight - its pretty heavy around your neck, you might want to get the hand grip
+ the eye start focus was annoying now its really helpful once you get use to it. (you can turn this off)
+ the RAW files are Bigger than I'm use too (18mb<), be sure to have enough RAM to handle your editing software (I use CS3)
Overall I am SUPER happy I got this camera. It has been my happy companion and I take it everywhere.
Customer Review: A real SLR that handles like an SLR, not a computer game
Summary: 5 Stars
At this point, any of the top cameras will take great photos and this is no exception. The sensor on this camera ranks 5th overall in the <$3000 (body only) range (google DXOMark) This camera is set apart by the feel and features. It feels and handles like a camera, like a photographer's SLR designed to be efficient at taking pictures, not amusing the owner. Everything falls to hand easily. The function two which one needs easy access, are easily accessible: white balance, exposure compensation, ISO, others, all have dedicated buttons. Focus is very, very fast. It has a near infra red focus assist lamp so it doesn't blind your subject and make them stiff the way that bright white anoyoflex lights do - this alone makes it worth a nod to me. The screen is fabulous, very hi rez and very bright. Zooming in to check the expression of each person in a group shot or the sharpness of a photo is as easy as can be. Everything just works. The lens is good, not excellent - pretty sharp at the center, kind of soft at the edges at the short end, decent at the long end. Very good contrast and color rendition. The camera is definitely the size, weight (and construction) of a semi pro body, so if you want a compact, this might not be for you. However, it does handle nicely with a well shaped grip.Customer Review: Very nice camera to follow Sony's heritage
Summary: 5 Stars
By all means it is very capable, quick, and well made camera that takes big deal over Minolta's legacy. This camera is distinctively "Sony" while it still incorporates many of nice findings pioneered by swallowed Minolta.
I played with this camera for couple of days and found there's much to love about the ways it suggests. The lens is terrific. I guess it is the same lens that was permanently mounted to DSC-R1 and by all accounts it is glorious lens. The sharpness, clarity, transparency of it, all across the field is simply second to none. It is hard to touch another lens after trying this. In DSC-R1 just the lens itself was worth the purchase! The range of the lens is exceptionally convenient and extends trough the range that is appropriate with hand holding shooting. Reinforced by Sony's shake reduction it provides complete and very dependable tool for shooting anything with the lens under practically any condition. You must see the full size images this lens on the camera produces to concede it was worth many words. Today, there are many superb cameras on a market and Sony made smart move by offering premium glass in somewhat accessible price range as it makes the whole system very sweet and desirable.
Great camera, great lens.
Customer Review: Powerful DSLR
Summary: 5 Stars
My A700p replaced a well functioning Nikon 8700. The improvement in speed is striking. Low light pictures are fantastic due to the steady shot function.The only disadvantage of any DSLR is increased size and weight. However, well compensated for by the increased performance. Also nice to be able to use my old Maxxum lenses.Customer Review: Camera Repair
Summary: 3 Stars
When I got the camera from SonyStyle, I bought a two year repair plan.
A few weeks after I received the camera, I found a small scratch on the lens which may have been triggered by a friction that occured when my camera felt 1-2 inches on a shelve. The shape of the scratch doesn't suggest a contact with a hard material.
I called the plan and they referred me to Precision Camera in CT. Precision Camera first returned the lens because they needed the camera. Two weeks after I sent the camera with the lens, I called and they said they could not find it. They eventually found it and said it would take 2-4 weeks for the part to arrive.
I called Sony and they said they have a repair facility in Texas. In other words, the repair plan uses Precision Camera, not Sony.
Eventually I found that Precision Camera did not replace the lens but used a sealant to mask the scratch.
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