Sony Alpha A700K 12.24MP Digital SLR Camera ...- User Rating: 
Summary for Sony Alpha A700K 12.24MP Digital SLR Camera ...- fantstic camera!
Notes on Sony Alpha A700K 12.24MP Digital SLR Camera ...- great camera! solid build, very intuitive menus and controls, great images and high ISO capacity (after the new software update v4), and camera based sensor stabilization - all your lenses - including the old minotas that you can grab for cheap on ebay will be stabilized! (as opposed o paying premium prices to canon and nikon! at this price I am considering getting a second one!
Sony Alpha A700K 12.24MP Digital SLR Camera ...- User Rating: 
Summary for Sony Alpha A700K 12.24MP Digital SLR Camera ...- Is every other review a company plant? Or did real photographers just not bother to review this camera?
Notes on Sony Alpha A700K 12.24MP Digital SLR Camera ...- The Sony SLRs are toys designed to compete in a market in which they already failed. They are just re-branded Minolta DSLRS, and photographers were so unhappy with the Minolta DSLRS that no one ever purchased one except kids and old photographers with Minolta gear from the days of film back when they still produced quality products.
With the exception of some gimmick features like image stabilization, Sony does not offer anything with this camera that Nikon and Canon did not offer earlier and cheaper. Nikon and Canon both also offer image stabilization in their lenses, which is an alternative that provides better results when it really matters. When you use a Sony DSLR for any extended period of time, you will start to notice that it is missing buttons for commonly accessed features such as ISO and white balance, which are hidden deep within menus that take a long time to access and change, and you will notice that the high ISO performance being touted by other reviewers is grainy and extremely subpar when compared to the cameras being offered by Nikon and Canon.
Canon and Nikon offer better cameras, cheaper, with more lenses. In fact, if you buy the right Nikon or Canon DSLR, there is a good chance you can still use lenses going back to the 1950s (this is true for Nikon, I am not sure about Canon). These lenses are still extraordinary. You will be able to use lenses made into the far future. Will Sony still be around? Minolta isn't, and you're betting on the same technology that already failed once.
The Sony won't take bad pictures; any camera, even a cheap point and shoot, will take beautiful pictures. But a Sony DSLR will fight against you and try to stop you from taking those pictures, you want a good camera that knows what it is doing and is trying to help you along the creative process.
Sony Alpha A700K 12.24MP Digital SLR Camera ...- User Rating: Summary for Sony Alpha A700K 12.24MP Digital SLR Camera ...- Great product.
Notes on Sony Alpha A700K 12.24MP Digital SLR Camera ...- The A700 is stout. Solid construction and solid performance. High ISO performance that can be mated up to fast Sony or Minolta AF glass. I've got an F2.8 lens and it is unstoppable indoors even in mediocre lighting. I can only imagine if I had an f1.4 prime or something of the like mounted on this body! 3 shot bracketing is quick, metering is accurate, colors are great. I shoot in cRaw and am impressed with that format. I cannot pick up on any loss compared to RAW; but the camera will run RAW all day long with no problems either. The scary thing is that even JPEGS look great on this camera! It is a very serious camera and will sit atop the Sony line until they bring out a full-frame camera. Thoroughly impressed and definitely a worthy replacement for the venerable Maxxum/Dynax 5's 7's and maybe even the 9 depending on your use!
Sony Alpha A700K 12.24MP Digital SLR Camera ...- User Rating: Summary for Sony Alpha A700K 12.24MP Digital SLR Camera ...- Great semi-pro camera, great value.
Notes on Sony Alpha A700K 12.24MP Digital SLR Camera ...- 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.
Another thing to note: Sony makes the 12 megapixel sensor for the Nikon D300, and most likely they are the same. Compare the price of the Sony A700 with the D300, and you will see the "bargain".
Sony Alpha A700K 12.24MP Digital SLR Camera ...- User Rating: Summary for Sony Alpha A700K 12.24MP Digital SLR Camera ...- Great Camera
Notes on Sony Alpha A700K 12.24MP Digital SLR Camera ...- This camera is great. Feel comfortable taking photos ISO 800 and beyond. I don't really miss many photo opportunities. So much control and your fingers too. Seems to be a dedicated button for everything within easy reach. Well done sony. Now if you could get a few more lenses in your lineup...
