Initial Test
Sony Alpha DSLR-A700
Initial Test means we have photos and timing results. (more)
Sony A700 Feature Comparison
The chart below compares the A700 with the A100 as well as Konica-Minolta models, since they are compatible with the same lenses and accessories. What we've done below is to present something of a hybrid comparison between these four models. A red cell means that a given camera performs below the others, a green cell means that it performs better, and a yellow cell means it falls somewhere between. In cases where two cameras share a superior capability, both their cells will be colored green, etc. Sharp-eyed readers may find some areas where we haven't chosen to highlight a particular difference. Those cases are simply ones that we don't feel are significant in typical use of the camera.
We also have a table comparing the Sony A700 with competing models from other manufacturers. This table is a bit wider though, and breaks the page layout in some browsers, so we're simply providing a link to it here that will open in a separate browser window. See the Sony A700 vs the Competition comparison table for more info.
| Sony Alpha and Konica Minolta DSLR Camera Comparison | |||||
Manufacturer |
Sony
|
Sony
|
Konica Minolta
|
Konica Minolta
|
|
| Model
|
Alpha A700
|
Alpha A100
|
Maxxum 7D
|
Maxxum 5D
|
|
|
Imaging
System |
Sensor Manufacturer
|
Sony
|
Sony
|
Sony
|
Sony
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sensor Type
|
CMOS
|
CCD
|
CCD
|
CCD
|
|
|
Color Filter Array
|
RGB
|
RGB
|
RGB
|
RGB
|
|
|
Total Megapixels
|
13.05
|
10.8
|
6.3
|
6.3
|
|
|
Effective Megapixels
|
12.25
|
10.2
|
6.1
|
6.1
|
|
|
Effective Sensor Size (mm)
|
23.5 x 15.6
|
23.6 x 15.8
|
23.7 x 15.6
|
23.7 x 15.6
|
|
|
Focal Length Multiplier (approx.)
|
1.5x
|
1.5x
|
1.5x
|
1.5x
|
|
|
Sensor-shift image stabilization
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
|
Ultrasonic sensor dust-removal function
|
Yes (via anti-shake mechanism)
|
Yes (via anti-shake mechanism)
|
No
|
No
|
|
|
Image Processor
|
BIONZ
(2nd generation) |
BIONZ
|
CxProcess III
|
CxProcess III
|
|
|
A/D Conversion
|
12-bit
|
12-bit
|
12-bit
|
12-bit
|
|
|
Viewfinder
|
Type
|
Eye-level pentaprism
|
Eye-level pentamirror
|
Eye-level pentaprism
|
Eye-level pentamirror
|
|
Coverage
|
95%
|
95%
|
95%
|
95%
|
|
|
Magnification (-1 diopter with 50mm lens at infinity)
|
0.9x
|
0.83x
|
0.9x
|
0.83x
|
|
|
Eyepoint (mm)
|
25
|
20
|
25
|
20
|
|
|
Dioptric Adjustment Range (diopters)
|
-3.0 to +1.0
|
-2.5 to +1.0
|
-3.0 to +1.0
|
-2.5 to +1.0
|
|
|
Focusing Screen
|
Interchangeable Spherical Acute Matte
|
Fixed Spherical Acute Matte
|
Interchangeable Spherical Acute Matte (G-type as standard)
|
Fixed Spherical Acute Matte
|
|
|
Viewfinder
Info Display |
16:9 area frames, AF frames, Spot metering area, Flash compensation, Flash status, Flash mode, (wireless/ HS), Manual focus, AF mode, Shutter speed, Aperture, EV scale, Autoexposure lock, Shots remaining, Shake warning, Super SteadyShot scale, Aspect ratio
|
Wide focus frame, spot AF area, local focus areas, Spot metering area, Flash compensation, Flash status, Flash mode, (wireless/ HS), Autoexposure lock, Shutter speed, Aperture, EV scale, Shots remaining, Shake warning, Super SteadyShot scale
|
Wide focus frame, spot AF area, local focus areas, spot metering area, anti-shake scale, flash compensation indicator, flash signal, high-speed sync indicator, wireless / remote flash indicator, manual focus indicator, AE lock indicator, focus signal, shutter-speed display, aperture display, EV scale, camera-shake warning, frames-remaining counter
|
Wide focus frame, spot AF area, local focus areas, spot metering area, flash compensation indicator, flash signal, high-speed sync indicator, wireless / remote flash indicator, AE lock indicator, focus signal, shutter-speed display, aperture display, EV scale, frames-remaining counter, camera-shake warning, anti-shake scale
|
|
|
Depth of Field Preview
|
Enabled with depth-of-field preview button
|
Enabled with depth-of-field preview button
|
Enabled with depth-of-field preview button
|
Enabled with depth-of-field preview button
|
|
|
Live Preview on LCD
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
|
|
Recording
System |
Recording Media / Quantity / Slot Type
|
Type I or II CF card / Microdrive / MS Duo / MS Pro Duo
|
Type I or II CF card / Microdrive
|
Type I or II CF card / Microdrive
|
Type I or II CF card / Microdrive
|
|
Compatible File System
|
FAT 12 / FAT 16 / FAT 32
|
FAT 12 / FAT 16 / FAT 32
|
FAT 16 / FAT 32
|
FAT 16 / FAT 32
|
|
|
Recording Formats
|
RAW (ARW 2.0), JPEG
|
RAW (ARW), JPEG
|
RAW (MRW), JPEG
|
RAW (MRW), JPEG
|
|
|
Maximum Resolution
|
4288 x 2856 (RAW);
4272 x 2848 (JPEG) |
3872 x 2592
|
3008 x 2000
|
3008 x 2000
|
|
|
Reduced Resolutions
|
3:2
3104 x 2064; 2128 x 1424 16:9 |
2896 x 1936;
1920 x 1280 |
2256 x 1496;
1504 x 1000 |
2256 x 1496;
1504 x 1000 |
|
|
RAW + JPEG Recording
|
Yes, selectable JPEG resolution (Fine compression only)
|
Yes, Large/Fine JPEG only
|
Yes, selectable JPEG resolution (Fine compression only)
|
Yes, selectable JPEG resolution (Fine compression only)
|
|
|
Color Space &
White Balance |
User Selectable Color Space
|
Yes
sRGB (thirteen variants) + Adobe RGB |
Yes
sRGB (six variants) + Adobe RGB |
Yes
sRGB (two variants) + Adobe RGB |
Yes
sRGB (eight variants) + Adobe RGB (two variants) |
|
Processing Parameters
(Contrast, Sharpness, Saturation, Color Tone) / # of Increments |
7 options each for sharpness, saturation, contrast, and brightness, plus 4 options for zone matching.
|
5 options each for sharpness, saturation, and contrast.
|
5 options each for sharpness, contrast, saturation and hue.
|
5 options each for sharpness, contrast, and saturation.
|
|
|
Preset WB settings
|
6 (Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash), plus Auto and Custom
|
6 (Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash), plus Auto and Custom
|
6 (Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash), plus Auto and Custom
|
6 (Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash), plus Auto and Custom
|
|
|
Manual Color Temperature Setting Range
|
2500 - 9900K with 19-step magenta / green compensation
|
2500 - 9900K with 19-step magenta / green compensation
|
2500 ~ 9900K in 100K increments
|
2500 - 9900K with 19-step magenta / green compensation
|
|
|
WB Adjustment Range
|
Preset WB:
-3 to +3; Fluorescent WB: -2 to +4; |
Preset WB:
-3 to +3; Fluorescent WB: -2 to +4 |
+/-3 steps in 1-step increments
Arbitrary step size (approx. 10 mireds per step in most modes) |
+/-3 steps in 1-step increments
Arbitrary step size (approx. 10 mireds per step in most modes) |
|
|
Autofocus
System |
Type
|
TTL phase detection
|
TTL phase detection
|
TTL phase detection
|
TTL phase detection
|
|
# of Focusing Points (Focusing Point Type)
|
11 points, (1 center twin-cross type and 11 single-axis with high accuracy f/2.8 center point)
|
9 points
(1 center cross-type and 8 single-axis) |
9 points
(1 center cross-type and 8 single-axis) |
9 points
(1 center cross-type and 8 single-axis) |
|
|
Superimposed Focus Point
Display
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
|
AF Working Range (ISO 100)
|
EV 0 ~ 18
|
EV 0 ~ 18
|
EV -1 ~ 18
|
EV -1 ~ 18
|
|
|
AF-assist Beam
|
Yes,
LED, range 1 - 7m |
Yes, stroboscopic flash
|
Yes, stroboscopic flash
|
Yes, stroboscopic flash
|
|
|
Eye-start Focusing
|
Yes
(grip detection too) |
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
|
|
Exposure
Control |
Shooting Modes
|
12 - Auto, Program Shift, Aperture-priority AE, Shutter-priority AE, Manual, Memory Recall, Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night view/portrait
|
12 - Auto, Program Shift, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual, Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Evening, Night, Night Portrait
|
8 - Full Auto, Program, Shutter-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, Manual, Three memory register settings
|
10 - Full Auto, Program, Shutter-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, Manual, Portrait, Sports Action, Landscape, Sunset, Night Portrait
|
|
Metering Zones
|
40
|
40
|
14
|
14
|
|
|
Metering Modes
|
Multi-segment Honeycomb pattern, Center-Weighted, and Spot
|
Multi-segment Honeycomb pattern, Center-Weighted, and Spot
|
Multi-segment honeycomb-pattern metering, Center-weighted, Spot
|
Multi-segment honeycomb-pattern metering, Center-weighted, Spot
|
|
|
Metering System Working Range
(F1.4, ISO 100) |
1) Honeycomb-Pattern / Center-Weighted Average; EV 0 ~ 20
2) Spot; EV 2 ~ 20 |
1) Honeycomb-Pattern / Center-Weighted Average; EV 1 ~ 20
2) Spot; EV 4 ~ 20 |
1) Honeycomb-Pattern / Center-Weighted Average; EV 0 ~ 20
2) Spot; EV 3 ~ 20 |
1) Honeycomb-Pattern / Center-Weighted Average; EV 1 ~ 20
2) Spot; EV 4 ~ 20 |
|
|
ISO Range / Extended
|
100 ~ 3200 / 6400
|
100 ~ 1600 / 80
|
100 ~ 3200
|
100 ~ 3200
|
|
|
Exposure Compensation
|
+/-3 EV in 1/3EV increments
|
+/-2 EV in 1/3EV increments
|
+/-3EV in 1/2EV increments, or +/- 2EV in 1/3EV increments
|
+/-2EV in 1/3EV increments
|
|
|
Automatic Exposure Bracketing
|
3 or 5 shots in +/-1/3, 1/2 or 2/3 EV steps
|
3 shots, +/-2 EV in 1/3 or 2/3 EV increments
|
3 or 5 shots, +/-2 EV in 1/3 or 1/2 EV increments
|
3 shots, +/-2 EV in 1/3 or 2/3 EV increments
|
|
|
Shutter Speeds,
Frame Rate, |
Shutter Type
|
Electronically controlled mechanical focal plane
|
Electronically controlled mechanical focal plane
|
Electronically controlled mechanical focal plane
|
Electronically controlled mechanical focal plane
|
|
Shutter Speed Range
|
1/8000 ~ 30 sec., bulb
|
1/4000 ~ 30 sec., bulb
|
1/4000 ~ 30 sec., bulb
|
1/4000 ~ 30 sec., bulb
|
|
|
Maximum Frames Per Second / Buffer depth
|
4.91 fps
/ 13 Extra Fine JPEG, 11 RAW frames |
2.85 fps
/ 24 LF JPEG, 3 RAW+JPEG, or 8 RAW frames |
2.75 fps
/ 15 LF JPEG or 9 RAW frames |
2.75 fps
/ 15 LF JPEG or 9 RAW frames |
|
|
Flash
|
Built-in Flash / Guide Number at ISO 100.
|
Yes (12 meters / 39 feet)
|
Yes (12 meters / 39 feet)
|
Yes (12 meters / 39 feet)
|
Yes (12 meters / 39 feet)
|
|
Max flash x-sync speed. (sec.)
|
1/250 (1/200 with Super SteadyShot)
|
1/160 (1/120 with Super SteadyShot)
|
1/160 ( 1/125 anti-shake on)
|
1/160 ( 1/125 anti-shake on)
|
|
|
Flash Exposure Compensation
|
+/-3 EV in 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps
|
+/-2 EV in 1/3 EV steps
|
+/-2EV in 1/2EV steps
|
+/-2EV in 1/3EV steps
|
|
|
Slow-sync flash
|
1st or 2nd curtain
|
1st or 2nd curtain
|
1st or 2nd curtain
|
1st or 2nd curtain
|
|
|
PC Sync Terminal
|
Yes
|
Hot shoe only
|
Yes
|
Hot shoe only
|
|
|
Playback
System |
LCD Size / Pixel Count
|
3.0 in LCD / 921,600 pixels
|
2.5 in LCD / 230,000 pixels
|
2.5 in LCD / 207,000 pixels
|
2.5 in LCD / 115,000 pixels
|
|
Enlarged Playback / Scroll
|
13x max. / Yes
|
12x max. / Yes
|
4.7x max / Yes
|
4.7x max / Yes
|
|
|
LCD Monitor Brightness Adjustment Range
|
11 steps
|
5 steps
|
11 steps
|
11 steps
|
|
|
Automatic Rotation for Vertical Shots
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
|
Video Out/ HD Video
|
Yes/Yes (HDMI)
|
Yes/No
|
Yes/No
|
Yes/No
|
|
|
Other Features
|
Computer Connection
|
Yes, USB 2.0 High Speed, PTP-compliant
|
Yes, USB 2.0 High Speed, PTP-compliant
|
Yes, USB 2.0 High-Speed (PTP compliant)
|
Yes, USB 2.0 High-Speed (PTP compliant)
|
|
Direct Printing (PictBridge printers)
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
|
Menu Languages
|
6 (English, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Chinese)
|
6 (English, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Chinese)
|
8 (English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Swedish, Simplified Chinese, and Japanese.)
|
11 (Japanese, English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Swedish, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean)
|
|
|
Camera Default Reset
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
|
Custom Functions (Quantity)
|
Yes (21)
|
Yes (12)
|
Yes (20)
|
Yes (12)
|
|
|
Remote Control
|
Wireless: with included RMT-DSLR1 IR remote control
or Wired: with optional RM-S1AM or RM-L1AM |
Wired with optional RM-S1AM or RM-L1AM
|
Optional, compatible with RC-1000S or RC-1000L
|
Optional, compatible with RC-1000S or RC-1000L
|
|
|
Info LCD Panel / Illumination
|
No / n/a
|
No / n/a
|
No / n/a
|
No / n/a
|
|
|
Body Structure
|
Body Cover / Chassis
|
Magnesium Alloy (front), Polycarbonate (rear) / Aluminum
|
Polycarbonate / Unknown
|
Magnesium Alloy (front), Plastic (rear) / Unknown
|
Glass Fiber Plastic
|
|
Environmental Seals
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
|
|
Power System
|
Battery Compatibility
|
NP-FM500H
|
NP-FM55H
|
NP-400
|
NP-400
|
|
Rated Shooting Capacity at 20C/68F
|
CIPA: 650
|
CIPA: 750
|
100% AE: 600
50% Flash: 400 (Konica Minolta spec) |
CIPA: 550;
Konica Minolta spec: 700 |
|
|
Dimensions &
Weight
|
Dimensions (WxHxD, mm)
|
142 x 105 x 80
|
133 x 95 x 72
|
150 x 106 x 78
|
131 x 93 x 67
|
|
Weight (body only)
|
690 g
|
545 g
|
760 g
|
590 g
|
|
|
Oper.
Env. |
Operating Temperature Range
|
0 ~ 40C
|
0 ~ 40C
|
0 ~ 40C
|
0 ~ 40C
|
|
Operating Humidity Range
|
Not stated
|
Not stated
|
Not Stated
|
Not Stated
|
|
|
Kit Lens
|
Focal length / aperture
|
18-70mm
f3.5-4.5 DT or 16-105mm f3.5-5.6 DT |
18-70mm
f3.5-4.5 DT |
-
|
18-70mm
f/3.5-5.6 AF |
|
Lens Compatibility
|
Lens Mount / Compatibility
|
Sony Alpha mount; compatible with "most" Konica Minolta A-mount (Maxxum-compatible) AF lenses as well.
|
Sony Alpha mount; compatible with "most" Konica Minolta A-mount (Maxxum-compatible) AF lenses as well.
|
A-type / All A-type lenses except MD and MC series manual focus lenses. AF Macro 3x - 1x f/1.7-2.8 lens cannot be used with Anti-Shake, nor does Anti-Shake work with any lens with a macro release. (Sony Alpha lenses should work as well)
|
A-type / All A-type lenses except MD and MC series manual focus lenses. AF Macro 3x - 1x f/1.7-2.8 lens cannot be used with Anti-Shake, nor does Anti-Shake work with any lens with a macro release. (Sony Alpha lenses should work as well)
|
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Note: For details, test results, and analysis of the many tests done with this camera, please click on the tabs at the beginning of the review or below.
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