Look and Feel:
She is fed up and good grip, is exactly the right dimensions, and the grip is shaped so that the little finger is not unnecessary or in the way.
There is enough space for the thumb in place and by the additional formation of the upper right corner gives the a very secure grip feeling.
The control knobs and switches are easily accessible and have a good pressure point.
The 3-inch screen is fantastic clear, bright and incredibly detailed, so that the photo really can judge very well after shooting, in terms of exposure, sharpness and image detail.
The camera feels very solid on, nothing rattles or rattles that can be expected but also for more than 1,300 euros.
The built-in flash must be raised manually.
Operation and settings:
A setting screen where you can very quickly and easily perform all shooting settings with lying right next to the thumb control stick appears with the FN key.
For example, ISO, white balance, resolution, compression level for JPEG, RAW mode, exposure compensation -3 to +3 EV, Flash compensation -3 to +3 EV, choice of autofocus point, Dynamic-Range (Wide Dynamic-raising to at very to obtain contrast scenes more coloration in Shadow PATIENT), and access to the creative programs so-called, such as:
1.Standard, 2.Vivid (Lively = somewhat brighter colors and increased contrast), 3.Neutral, 4.AdobeRGB, 5.Portrait, 6.Landscape, 7.B + W (black and white).
These, I'll call color programs, each contrast, saturation and sharpness settings can be saved.
The last three programs (5 to 7). You can change to sepia, Night, Autumn, Sunset, Light, Deep and Clear, and each with separate settings as described above also.
As should be something for everyone and every situation. However, I have created after the initial days of testing the whole lot of my photos in the standard program without turning on the contrast, sharpness, etc.. This setting also yields an excellent overall picture impression.
The present between the FN key and the stick C button (Custom) can be assigned in the menu with a Desired function, ie: direct access to one of the following settings: dynamic range optimization, creative mode, image resolution (size), quality (compression Jpeg ), AF, flash mode, memory card selection, AF lock, AF-MF control etc.
Where other DSLR`s above have a second, black and white LCD screen, the alpha700 has its separate buttons for direct setting of ISO, white balance, image sequence (eg frame, continuous shooting, self-timer, exposure bracketing for exposure / white balance / dynamic optimization,
and remote control) and exposure compensation.
If Remote control not only photos for display on TV can be controlled (by the way via HDMI output), it also serves as a remote control. Works in practice and is also prima trigger behind the camera, even though the receiver is on the front.
The two dials, front and rear can also be according to your wishes prove to exposure compensation and exposure shift function (simultaneous shifting of the aperture and shutter speed without changing the exposure itself, for example, shorter time for fast-moving objects, or adjust the depth of field, for example by Moving to a larger aperture value (smaller aperture).
On the top left of the lightning is the main command dial for exposure programs: Program AE, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual, Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Night, and the "green Knips automatic mode". With the MR program can save three different FN-key assignments and call.
These very detailed settings that this camera, one needs to have weeks, rather months, and venture out to all and especially, then to use these at the right moment. Of that I am honestly still far away.
General Operation:
The autofocus works with the kit DT 18-70 very quickly and accurately, with activation of the Eye-Start AF this is already finished, before I completely have the eye on the viewfinder. This function can be switched off also. That's a good thing, because with a not so fast as the Tamron 18-250mm lens DI nervous but the relatively long trips then focus much so that one so dear only framing the shot and focus point and then focused. Apart from other technical problems with this lens the slow AF was the reason for the return of the Tamron.
A shutter lag after focusing is virtually non-existent, and the camera triggers a rich clack of the mirror.
With a CF Extreme III 4GB SanDisk I have a test basis triggered a sequence of 35 photos with 12MP and quality Fine, and in about 7 seconds.
Since I am not a sports photographer, I do not but not as important. But it is already impressive.
The built-in image stabilization (sensor shift system) works really reliably at shutter speeds that are otherwise no longer could keep "out of hand" quiet. Exposures from 1/4 sec. Succeed quite often, of course, but not always and at any zoom setting at the telephoto end. But when not moving subjects, it is a good alternative to high ISO settings (or in combination with these) in low light conditions.
The noise performance of Sony is very good. It can be specified with Auto ISO range with a minimum (from 200) and a maximum (1600). Manual you can select the ISO speed between ISO 100 and ISO 6400 free.
The automatic can be set to ISO 800 without hesitation. It is virtually impossible to establish noise. From ISO 1600, noise is visible, you can use the photos but without rework good if you do not just intend to develop a poster of 100 cm x 150 cm. From ISO 3200 noise is clearly sichbar and a pair of very fine details can be compromised. As ISO 6400 is ISO 3200 actually only a justification used: Better a rauschiges, something poor detail Photo taken yet, as the moment no longer to capture and have a photo of it.
The image quality of alpha700 has thrilled me honest, but it is not a camera for the "green automatic Knips mode". But that is probably the case with any DSLR, but this offer just this degree of manual and semi-automatic settings to come gradually to ever better results. You have to time to think before tripping over one or the other setting, but it does for me personally also the thrill of photographing.
If you do not want, you should look in the camp of compact cameras rather.
The non-existent Live View I miss absolutely not (previously had a Canon S3IS with this feature), but: How important is this one, everyone must decide for themselves.
By contrast, a second monitor on the top would be something nice, since these also consume little power during everyday use.
The alpha700 has two card slots, 1 x Compact Flash and 1 x Memory Stick Pro Duo, which can be selected separately when both cards are in the housing. If only one card is inserted, the camera sets automatically.
Conclusion:
The alpha700 is a really great processed digital SLR camera with a lot of settings, easy handling, its solid appearance, thoughtfully structured menus and really good image quality. If you still (unfortunately priced accordingly) takes an objective of the highest class to the image quality is certainly still be increased. Perhaps somewhat limiting factor here is more than the kit lens DT 18-70 (this is listed in online shops from 79 euros).
The fact is that I am very excited and can about the lack of Live View to see only smile, and loose over the lack of a second LCD monitor away. Full buy recommendation for people who consider themselves as an ambitious amateur would (as I am) or beyond classify.
