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March 26, 2008
[ SONY a700 DSLR with 24-70mm f2.8 Zeiss (Sony) lens ]
Price: $2000 body $3200 lens
Outstanding
The low-down: The a700 is a 12 megapixel camera with a CMOS sensor, tested here with an optional 24-70mm Zeiss lens with constant f2.8 maximum aperture. There is in-camera image stabilisation and automatic dust removal. It has eye-proximity start-up – when an eye approaches the viewfinder the camera snaps into auto-focus. A remote shutter release is provided in the kit, which also works as a remote control when the camera is attached to a TV. The ergonomics and construction quality are outstanding and the lens is in a class of its own. The viewfinder is a large, bright prism. And the 7.5cm LCD with 1m pixels is spectacular.
Like: Picture quality is consistently superb. The camera itself is responsive, producing well exposed, high resolution images. The lens focuses quickly and is mechanically superior in every way. The constant maximum aperture of f2.8 is the mark of a high class optic. The 24-70mm range is unusual for a standard zoom and we sometimes wished for a shorter wide end, but overall the modest range makes for a superior lens.
Dislike: The only reservation we have is to do with the price. $2000 for the body is a bargain, several hundred dollars less than its obvious rival, the Nikon D300. But the price of avoiding the indifferent Sony standard lenses in favour of the superb Zeiss/Sony optics is high.
Verdict: We had an important little job to do, for which we would normally use our own camera. It is usually too risky to pick up a new camera for such a project, but the Sony felt so right in the hand and the lens was so seductive that we said: “What the heck!” We were delighted with the consistency of the images and the intuitiveness of the camera controls. Our advice is to buy the body on its own and then pair it with a good lens. The Sony kit, with body and short zoom lens, costs $2150. That is not doing justice to the camera. There is a Zeiss 16-80mm for $1250 – that is the way to go.
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Posted by terry at March 26, 2008 11:52 AM
Worth Checking Out
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Comments
Hi, Terry. Liked your review of the a700. It's become a really popular camera due to the kinds of features and image quality that you mention in your review. Is there any chance that you will be posting some photos from the a700. I would love to see the results of this camera from your very capable skills. ChaCHa
Posted by: chacha at March 28, 2008 06:36 AM
I have this camera/lens combo, and I couldn't agree more with your conclusion. It's as good as it gets in the APS-C world.
Posted by: G H at March 28, 2008 08:58 PM
Hi Terry,
Thanks for reviewing the A700. As a A100 owner, I am hoping to update someday. My reservation has been the price. So I was surprised to see you mention that $2000 for the body is a bargain. In my mind the closest competitors are the Canon 40D and the Pentax 20D. Both of these are a few hundred cheaper.
Chris
Posted by: Chris at March 29, 2008 02:26 AM
Chris: The real competitor for the a700 is the Nikon D300 and that is a few hundred dollars dearer than the Sony. TL
Posted by: Terry at March 29, 2008 02:41 AM
$2,000.00 for the body?
In B&H Store (NYC) the current price is $1,299.95 for the body. $1,399.95 with the cheap 18-70 lens.
Maybe not a great lens, but good to start if you don't have the money to buy a good quality lens and the body the same day.
Posted by: Ismael at March 30, 2008 11:26 PM
All prices on this web site are in Australian dollars and are Australian prices -- typically much, much dearer than American prices, even allowing for currency conversion.
Posted by: Terry at March 30, 2008 11:55 PM
Why is it that ebay traders are priced at about $1300 body only, $600 less than Ted's pricing?
These traders are Australian, with good feedback.
Are there any problems dealing with on line traders, which offer warranties, and only sell brand new, boxed goods?
Posted by: hugh maclean at April 3, 2008 03:32 AM
i want to buy the sony lens 18 to 200 but i have the konica minolta 7D can you help me
Posted by: paul ferriggi at April 26, 2009 04:55 PM