[Helloheshess]

Following just behind the flurry of the Canon and Nikon releases, Sony (continuing the Minolta line), has officially released their new camera, the A700.



Link at SonyStyle:
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...52921665227951

As expected, the specs match the leaked information. Thus, the specs as follows:
Imaging Device
* 12.24 (effective) APS Exmor™ Sensor; 23.5 x 15.6 mm; RGB primary color filter

Megapixel
* 12.24 MP

Bionz™ Engine
* Yes w/ Dynamic Range Optimizer. DRO Modes include Off, Standard, Advanced Auto, Advanced Manual, Advanced 3-frame bracketing. Advanced Manual include 5 adjustable levels.

Shutter Speed
* 30 ~ 1/8000 sec 55 step, Bulb

Exposure
* Manual Exposure: Yes, w/EV indicator

EV Compensation
* ±3.0 EV, 0.3 EV / 0.5 EV steps selectable

ISO

* Auto/160/200/400/800/1600/3200/ 4000/5000/6400

Lens Type
* Interchangeable A mount

Focus
* Auto Focus: TTL Phase Detection

Focus-2
* Multi-point: 11 Area, 11 Line, 5 center twin-cross lines

Focus-3
* Auto Focus Mode: Yes

Focus-4
* Wide focus area (Auto, 11 areas), Spot focus area, Local focus area (11 local areas selectable)

Focus-5
* Visual Focus Confirm: Direct via VF Matte Screen

Exposure-2
* Manual Exposure: Yes; Aperture/Shutter Priority, Manual

Exposure-3
* Program Shift: Yes, Command Dial

Battery Type
* NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable battery

Battery Capacity
* 7.2V, CIPA standard: approx. 650 pictures3

LCD
* 3.0" TFT (921k pixels) LCD with Clear Photo™ design

Microphone
* No/ No

Viewfinder
* Optical: TTL, 0.9x, 95% coverage (Penteprism)

White Balance
* Auto plus 6 Modes (Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash); +/- 3-step adjustable Kelvin temperature control (2500-9900k w/19-step Magenta/Green compensation).

Self Timer
* Yes (10 seconds, 2 seconds, Off)

Burst Mode
* Selectable Hi(5 FPS) Lo(3 FPS); JPEG Standard/Fine: Unlimited to capacity of media; JPEG Extra Fine: 8; cRAW (compressed): 24; cRAW+JPEG: 12; RAW: 17; RAW+JPEG: 11.

Color Mode(s)
* Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Adobe RGB, Clear, Deep, Light, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Night view, Autumn, B/W, Sepia (Except for Adobe RGB, all other color modes use the sRGB color space)

Red-Eye Reduction
* Yes: On/ Off

Memory Stick PRO™ Media Compatibility
* Tested to support up to 8GB media capacity; does not support Access Control security function

Red-Eye Reduction-2
* On/Off (all modes)

Scene Mode(s)
* Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night view/portrait

AF Illuminator Light
* Yes, On/Off Select

Multi-Pattern Measuring
* 40-segment honeycomb pattern; Multi-segment, Center Weighted, Spot

Histogram Display
* Yes; RGB display; Playback only

[unapelosina]

In case anybody actually does care, the official reviews/previews are up:
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/so...ew/index.shtml
http://www.dpreview.com/previews/SonyDSLRA700/
http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-977....html?tag=head
[thumbup]

[GoveMoony]

And for those interested, you can now buy it:
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...ategoryId=3769

[thumbup]

[UFJon]

I think that the styling is pretty neat on the front side of the camera (it's sort of a throwback to the old Leica models), but I dislike the boxy shape of the build in flash. I can't say much about the back of the camera's body because I'm sure that it's designed with ergonomics in mind, so I'll have to go to a camera store to play with one to see how it feels.

The remote is a damn nice feature that I wish Canon would follow suit with. The body is priced right, but the battery grip is priced a bit high in my opinion. Now we wait for image samples and comprehensive tests to see how it stacks up!

[duceswild]

OMFG when this is released in Oct, i can't wait to see what they have to say, the A100 so far has been an absolutly incredible camera, and that A700 is looking absolutly spectacular. Good on Sony, bringing out another monster camera, i'm curious to see if the 16MP monster they were talking about is gunna come into fruition. All in all i think i will seriously be looking into the A700 as my next camera.

[Flerdourdyged]

OMFG when this is released in Oct, i can't wait to see what they have to say, the A100 so far has been an absolutly incredible camera, and that A700 is looking absolutly spectacular. Good on Sony, bringing out another monster camera, i'm curious to see if the 16MP monster they were talking about is gunna come into fruition. All in all i think i will seriously be looking into the A700 as my next camera.

Anjel - Sony's US site says they expect shipping to start on or around 9/28 (this month)..[thumbup]

Thanks to a deal I got from work, i was able to pre-order it for $1250 w/ free overnight shipping . I will be more than happy to give you a full rundown on it once i get it, if you are interested. [thumbup]

[Xewksghy]

Anjel - Sony's US site says they expect shipping to start on or around 9/28 (this month)..[thumbup]

Thanks to a deal I got from work, i was able to pre-order it for $1250 w/ free overnight shipping . I will be more than happy to give you a full rundown on it once i get it, if you are interested. [thumbup]

Hell yeah man i am absolutly interested, this looks like a KILLER camera, and i would love to see some shots with it when you get it and the rundown.

[Crilosajsamq]

Hell yeah man i am absolutly interested, this looks like a KILLER camera, and i would love to see some shots with it when you get it and the rundown.

Indeed - it does look killer. Sad to see only a few here actually see that though. These forums are so brand loyal, and cameras a no different. Unfortunately to most, if it doesn't say Canon or Nikon on it, its not worth using...

BTW: There are a ton of previews listed in this thread:
http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/forum_po...TID=19595&PN=1

And if you didn't know, Dyxum is an exclusive A-Mount forum; a great place, with tons of good info. Stop by some time. [thumbup]

[gettoblaster]

And just to help update the post, here are some more reviews/previews for people:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/AA700/AA700A.HTM
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/So...00/index.shtml
http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/4570...700-page2.html
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...ssage=24714104

[BritneySpearsFun@@@]

Yeah i find a lot of SLR users are pretty close minded to other options as far as cameras go if its not of a brand they use they don't really want anything to do with it. its sad but true.

[googlopharm]

Yeah i find a lot of SLR users are pretty close minded to other options as far as cameras go if its not of a brand they use they don't really want anything to do with it. its sad but true.

There's a reason for that, and it goes beyond brand loyalty.

[N1bNXuDb]

There's a reason for that, and it goes beyond brand loyalty.

Yeah, if I were just now getting into the photography market, I would probably take a very vested interest in this camera, but for the photogs who have established their systems, it simply isn't worthwhile to hop ship every time one brand comes out with an exciting, new product because it's very likely that brand x or y or z will plan to meet that challenge.

This does look like a good camera; don't get me wrong, but I do want to wait for a comprehensive test from a source that I like before jumping to any conclusions. Be that as it may, right now is a very exciting time to be a photography enthusiast. [thumbup]

[VtLe67WR]

There's a reason for that, and it goes beyond brand loyalty.

Yeah, I have five lenses for Nikon F-mount, no way I'm switching to another brand.

[nvmrfgopyy]

Yeah, I have five lenses for Nikon F-mount, no way I'm switching to another brand.

And that idea is fair.

I totally understand the idea of buying into a system - hell, i am trenched in Minolta; the only way i would have switched is the A700 looked to be a total flop, which it isn't right now.

I guess what bugs me, is that something like this (and not just Sony, but the other guys like Pentax and Oly) get bashed or ignored simply because they aren't Canon or Nikon. Or when somebody is looking to buy something, and gets told to get a Canon or Nikon, only because of brand (in the case of many new people here for instance). I guess that is what urks me more..

[Uninkipsyncp]

And that idea is fair.

I totally understand the idea of buying into a system - hell, i am trenched in Minolta; the only way i would have switched is the A700 looked to be a total flop, which it isn't right now.

I guess what bugs me, is that something like this (and not just Sony, but the other guys like Pentax and Oly) get bashed or ignored simply because they aren't Canon or Nikon. Or when somebody is looking to buy something, and gets told to get a Canon or Nikon, only because of brand (in the case of many new people here for instance). I guess that is what urks me more..

Of course I'm going to recommend Nikon to someone who's looking to buy a DSLR. That's the brand I know and like. I also like Canon cameras and can recommend them too. I have tried the Alpha, didn't like it so I wouldn't recommend it for that reason.
Nothing to do with bias, well a little bit perhaps but mostly based on my own experience.

[chuecafresss]

And that idea is fair.

I totally understand the idea of buying into a system - hell, i am trenched in Minolta; the only way i would have switched is the A700 looked to be a total flop, which it isn't right now.

I guess what bugs me, is that something like this (and not just Sony, but the other guys like Pentax and Oly) get bashed or ignored simply because they aren't Canon or Nikon. Or when somebody is looking to buy something, and gets told to get a Canon or Nikon, only because of brand (in the case of many new people here for instance). I guess that is what urks me more..

Personally, the reason I rarely reply in threads of that nature is because I know better than to spew information about which I'm really not very knowledgeable. I know Canon and, to a somewhat lesser extent, Nikon, so those are the brands of equipment about which I can be of assistance. I do see where this observation is coming from though; i've noticed it at times, as well.