Sony DSLR-A700

Reviewed November 2007

Introduction

The large grip of the A700 is rubber-wrapped, and has a sensor embedded in the front that serves to detect when the photographer is holding the camera. It is used, in combination or not with sensors located under the viewfinder to detect when the photographer is using the camera, and can be used to automatically activate the auto focus.

The large top right section of the camera supports no less than 6 controls:

• the Front Control Dial,
• the Shutter Release,
• the Exposure Compensation button,
• the ISO button,
• the White Balance button,
• and the Drive button.

The Front Control Dial, one of two on the camera, controls the shutter speed, and can also serve to make settings selections. The Shutter Release is a standard 2-stage system that activates and locks the auto exposure and the auto focus when pressed and held to the halfway point.

White Balance also displays the choices available on the monitor. And, aside from Auto white balance, each preset can be adjusted: Auto Daylight (+3 to -3) Shade (+3 to -3) Cloudy (+3 to -3) Tungsten (+3 to -3) Fluorescent (+4 to -2) Flash (+3 to -3) Colour Temperature, which has a range of 2500°K to 9900°K, and which adds a Colour Filter option that provides additional control from G9 (green) to M9 (magenta). and 3 Custom White Balance registers, making it possible to adjust the white balance under 3 different types of ambient light and saving each in a specific memory so it can be recalled later.

The Drive button displays 8 options on the monitor: Single Shot Advance: captures an image each time the shutter release is pressed. Continuous Advance has two possibilities: Hi, captures JPEG Fine images at up to 5 frames per second as long as there is space on the memory card (using 1/250 second and manual focus). Lo, captures 3 images (1/250 sec, Fine image quality and Manual focus). Using either continuous advanced modes, when the A700 is set to record an Extra Fine JPEG image, a maximum of 16 frames can be captured; while with RAW 18 images can be captured and with cRAW (a compressed RAW format) 25 frames can be captured. Self-Timer: provides a delay of either 2 or 10 seconds. Continuous Bracketing: allows the camera to capture a series of photos, either 3 or 5 exposures with a ±1/3 EV or ±2/3 EV increment. Single Bracket: this option allows capturing a bracketing sequence of 3 or 5 images, 1 image at a time, each time the shutter release is pressed. Increments of 1/3 or 1/2 EV are available, just like Continuous Bracketing, the fact that the shutter release has to be pressed for each frame — indicated in the viewfinder — allows the flash to recharge, when flash bracketing is performed. White Balance Bracketing: allows the camera to capture 3 frames varying the white balance over a range of ±10 or ±20 Mireds. DRO (Dynamic Range Optimizer) Advanced Bracketing has two options, each of which captures 3 frames: Lo, lowers the Dynamic Range Optimizer for each successive shot. Hi, increases the effect of the Dynamic Range Optimizer with each successive shot (see the Characteristics section of the review for an explanation of the DRO.) Remote Commander: allows the use of the advanced remote control that is included with the camera.

The focal plane of the A700 — the position of the CMOS sensor in the camera — is indicated by a symbol, , on the left of the Drive button.

The top left side of the A700 is less spacious, and only supports the Mode Dial, which is rubber wrapped, allowing for very precise control. Twelve shooting modes are arranged on the periphery of the dial:

	Aperture Priority mode makes it possible to select the aperture, and therefore the depth of field, while the camera selects a corresponding shutter speed. The aperture range available is dependent on the lens used. A Depth of Field preview is also available, at the press of a button near the base of the grip. (See further.) Either the Front or Rear Control dials can be used to set the aperture.
	Shutter Priority mode allows selecting the shutter speed and therefore the way the camera records movement, while the camera matches the selected shutter speed to an aperture. The shutter speed range available covers from 1/8000 second down to 30 seconds. Either the Front or Rear Control dials can be used to set the shutter speed.
	Manual provides complete control over the aperture and shutter speed. By default, the Front Control Dial serves to set the shutter speed, while the Rear Control Dial controls the aperture. The Manual mode also offers a B (Bulb) mode, which can be as long as four and a half hours with a fully charged battery pack. During bulb exposures, the Remote Commander's shutter button can be used to start the exposure while the 2 sec. button near it can be used to stop it. When the bulb mode is used, the camera automatically turns off the Super Steady Shot stabilization.
	Memory Recall mode serves to recall a set of shooting parameters previously saved using an option of the Recording menu.

Above the Auto shooting mode, the A700 offers 6 Scene Modes:

	Portrait uses a wide aperture to capture the subject in sharp focus while the background is blurred.
	Landscape uses the smallest aperture possible to maximize depth of field.
	Sports Action sets the auto focus mode to Continuous, allowing the camera to focus continuously while the shutter release is held at the halfway point. Similarly, the Drive mode is set to Continuous, allowing the camera to record images as long as the shutter release is held down.
	Macro uses the fastest shutter speed possible to avoid camera shake, while trying to use the smallest aperture possible to maximize depth of field.
	Sunset uses a small aperture to maximize the depth of field and enhances reds to capture sunset scenes.
	Night View/Portrait: Night Portrait uses a long exposure to capture the background, and the flash to capture the foreground. Night View captures a night time scene without the flash.

The power switch for the A700 is mounted directly below the Function Dial and on the left side of the TTL viewfinder' exit pupil.

The viewfinder shows 95% of the subject about to be captured. The view it affords is wide, making it comfortable to use, even with glasses. The soft rubber eyecup can be removed, and replaced by a cover that prevents light from entering the camera during long exposures. A dioptre correction is provided — the dial is partly behind the eyecup on the upper right of the viewfinder — offering a correction range of -3.0 to +1.0. Beneath the exit pupil, two small windows indicate the position of the eyepiece sensors which detect when the photographer is using the viewfinder, and which can be used to turn off the monitor below during that time.

Underneath the image, a green info display indicates a number of current settings:

• Flash compensation,
• Flash charging and charged,
• Wireless flash,
• High-speed sync,
• Manual focus,
• Focus,
• Shutter speed,
• Aperture,
• EV scale,
• AE Lock,
• Shots remaining counter,
• Camera shake warning,
• Super SteadyShot scale,
• and aspect ratio when 16:9 is used.

The upper right of the A700's back has a cluster of controls immediately to the right of the viewfinder. First, in the upper right corner is the Rear Control Dial, which serves to set the aperture in the Manual mode, either the aperture or the shutter speed when the camera is set to A or S, or even make selections or review images in playback.

To the left of the Rear Control dial is the AF/MF button. Depending on whether the Focus Switch on the front of the camera (see further) is set to AF or MF, the button starts the opposite mode when pressed and held. So, with the camera set to auto focus, pressing and holding the button allows focusing the lens manually using the focus ring. And, when the camera is set to Manual Focus, the button temporarily activates the auto focus.

In addition, when the A700 is in playback mode, the AF/MF button serves to enlarge an image () on the screen to 6.7X, which can then be zoomed into further, up to 13X, using the Rear Control dial.

The next control, to the left, is composed of two parts: the Metering Mode Lever, and the AEL button at its centre.

AEL	In the capture modes the AEL button Locks the Auto Exposure, while allowing the auto focus to function. In addition, when the camera is set to the Manual mode, pressing the AEL button allows selecting a useable combination of aperture and shutter speed using the Front Control dial.
SLOW SYNC	With the camera set to a mode other than Shutter Priority or Manual, the same button allows using the flash in Slow Sync mode, all the while retaining the exposure metered under ambient light.
	And with the A700 in playback mode, the button shows captured images in an Index view, with a choice of 4, 9, or 25 images per screen.

The Metering Mode lever has three positions:

	Multi-segment metering divides the frame into 40 segments to measure light (40-segment honeycomb pattern metering). This uses a pattern that has 39 honeycomb shaped segments, and one that consists of the periphery of the honeycomb pattern.
	Centre-Weighted measures the average brightness of the entire frame while emphasizing the central area.
	Spot metering measures light in the specific area encompassed by the brackets in the viewfinder.

Below these controls is the Multi-selector, a joystick-like control that has multiple uses, ranging from menu navigation and option selection when pressed straight in, to focus point selection. In playback, the Multi-selector serves to move from one image to another.

On the left side of the A700's back, a column of 4 buttons are aligned to the left edge of the 3-inch, 921,600 pixel (RGB) monitor that produces an ultra sharp 640 x 480 full colour image.

The first button, at the top, is the MENU button. It serves to access the menu system of the A700 (see the Characteristics section of the review for more information). The next button DISP, serves to control the A700's LCD monitor, and the information shown on it.

The Recording Information Display is set by default to show on the monitor until the user's eye is detected near the viewfinder, at which point the display turns off. Similarly, the Information Display is also set to rotate along with the camera, so it can be read easily whether the camera is held horizontally or vertically.

The detailed view places information on 4 lines, listing everything, from basics such as the shooting mode, the shutter speed and aperture, to numerous other settings.

The next two buttons, labelled with blue icons, operate only when the A700 is in the playback mode:

	Serves to delete unwanted images.
	Starts the Playback mode, and when pressed a second time, returns the camera to the capture mode.

The remaining external controls on the back of the A700 are grouped below the Multi-selector.

First is the C (Custom) button. The C button is by default assigned to access the Creative Style setting, it can, however, be assigned any one of 15 functions in the A700's Recording menu (for more details on the image styles available, and the alternate functions that can be assigned to the Custom button, see the Characteristics section of the review). While when the A700 is set to the Playback mode, the button serves to display a histogram () view of each colour component (RGB) and overall brightness, along with a thumbnail of the image that indicates potentially overexposed areas, with below that the shooting data.

Next is the Fn button which turns the Information screen (see above) into the Quick Navi screen, which allows changing settings directly in the Information screen without having to access the menu.

Depending on the current camera mode, the Quick Navi screen can be used to modify most of the settings shown on the Information screen. The setting to change is selected with the Multi-selector, and then the alternate options are selected using either Front or Rear dials.

In Playback, the button serves to start the Rotation mode (), which allows rotating the image in 90° increments using the Multi-selector.

The last control on the A700's back is the On/Off switch for the Super SteadyShot image stabilization system. The stabilization is handled in the body of the A700, directly at the sensor using a sensor shift mechanism. Sony describes it as being able to compensate, depending on the lens, for a decrease in shutter speed from 2.5 to 4 EV.

The same system is used to shake dust off the low-pass filter — an anti moiré filter placed directly on top of the CMOS sensor which also prevents dust particles from sticking directly onto the sensor's surface — every time the camera is turned off.

The Alpha 700 is equipped with a built-in flash that has to be manually raised. The flash is listed in the manual as having a guide number of 12 meters at 100 ISO, and a recycling time of 3 seconds, both of which are apparently correct.

The A700 is also equipped with a flash shoe that is compatible with Sony flash units HVL-F56M, and HVL-F36M.

The last two external controls of the A700 are both located near the bottom of the lens mount. One, on the left side, is the Depth of Field Preview. The DOF button closes the lens diaphragm to the currently selected aperture, showing the depth of field that it produces. The button has to be held pressed to operate.

The other control at the base of the lens mount is on the right side. The Focus Mode Switch is the primary control for the camera's focusing system.

The switch has 4 positions:

• Single AF: focuses when the shutter release is pressed halfway.
• Automatic AF: switches automatically between single and continuous AF if the subject starts to move after the camera has focused on it.
• Continuous AF: continually adjusts the focus while the shutter release is pressed halfway.
• Manual Focus: allows focusing the lens using the focus ring. An indicator in the viewfinder confirms when the subject is in focus.

Heavy and big, the Sony Alpha 700 nevertheless has a good ergonomic design that makes it feel like a professional's tool. The external controls are well-positioned and easily remembered, and even the On-Off switch is well placed. Moreover, the A700 is able to receive the VG-C70AM Vertical Grip, which, while it adds to the camera's overall weight, replicates the shutter release, the power switch, the front and rear control dials and the AEL button, along with being capable of accepting either 1 or 2 NP-FM500H batteries.