Sony DSLR-A700 – Our Review and Conclusion
Sony is continuing to gain market mirrored. September 5, 2007 in San Diego, Sony announced the DSLR-A700, focused on the semi-experienced photographers and amateurs.
Pretest of the new SLR camera Sony DSLR-A700
What is the difference from its predecessor the A100? Differences are many. The most revolutionary – designed specifically for new items 12.2-megapixel CMOS-matrix with integrated noise reduction and an analog-digital converter. The sensor, named EXMOR, designed not only to deal effectively with noise, but increase the performance results of the camera. Indeed, the burst speed of A700 is twice higher than that of the A100: 5 vs. 2.4 fps; increased significantly and the length of the series.
High-performance BIONZ processor has improved image stabilization system Super SteadyShot – became available over shutter speeds when shooting handheld. The revitalization of the gate with a 1 / 125 to 1 / 250 second flash sync speed has decreased with the flash, to halve the minimum working and endurance. Updated viewfinder, improved focusing screen, the display size increased from 2.5 to 3 inches, and its resolution – with 230 to 922 thousand points!
Pretest of the new SLR camera Sony DSLR-A700
Housing has become more massive and uhvatistym. To replace the plastic shell came lightweight alloys. In addition to the traditional senior-level DSLR memory cards Compact Flash I and II, the new product, “takes” stick Sony Memory Stick Duo and Pro Duo. Among the other innovations, we note support for HDMI-format, allowing images to watch high definition television directly from the camera, and the option of Dynamic Range Control (DRO).
To extend the autonomy of the A700, able to make up to 650 shots on one battery, and to adapt the device for vertical image, will announced simultaneously with the camera battery grip VG-C70AM. Three new lenses (Sony DT 55-200mm F4.5-5.6, DT 16-105mm F3.5-5.6 and DT 18-250mm F3.5-6.3) and high (up to 45 MB / sec), Compact Flash memory card capacity of 2 and 8 GB – and highly relevant addition to the novelty.
Pretest of the new SLR camera Sony DSLR-A700
After examining all the charm of newly-minted DSLR Sony DSLR-A700, we asked the question: “what, DSLR-A100 can be blamed on a pension?”. But do not say “yes.” The stated price of the product – $ 1500 bundled with a standard zoom lens DT 18-70mm F3.5-5.6. and $ 1900, along with brand-new DT 16-105mm F3.5-5.6.
For that money can buy Nikon D200 or Canon EOS 30D c good standard lens. Question: whether the novelty will justify these investments?
Pretest of the new SLR camera Sony DSLR-A700
During the one-day testing Sony DSLR-A700 with the lens in a pair of DT 55-200mm F4.5-5.6 we were able to identify the following features: the device perfectly in your hand, the battery grip makes it even more uhvatistym. However, the control logic was an amateur: very often required multiple clicking on the buttons to control the variable parameters is proposed to use the main display, an information LCD display is not equipped with a camera, and the number of parameters to be displayed in the viewfinder, too, is not exhaustive. Amateur orientation is also confirmed by a large number of scene modes, creative style “image processing, the weak (compared to professional models), sealing the slots for memory cards and battery compartment.
Pretest of the new SLR camera Sony DSLR-A700
The preview feature to lift the mirror and preview depth of field, we have not been found. It seems that the developers hid them too deeply.
The image stabilizer works effectively, although the vertical image of its effectiveness is reduced. Despite the fact that the camera begin to bring the sharpness, as it brings to a person (or any other object), the slowness of automatic focusing system does not inspire confidence when shooting moving memories.