“Discerning photo enthusiasts will be impressed with the rugged construction and outstanding performance of the A700,” said David Oyagi, product manager, DSLR and Memory Stick, Sony Canada. “We also expect that this new camera will re-define the post-capture experience with HDMI™ output for high-quality playback of images on high-definition televisions.”

Sony A700 Digital SLR
Overview

Picture quality

The Sony A700's new 12.24-megapixel Exmor™ CMOS sensor conducts analog-to-digital (A/D) signal conversion and dual noise reduction right on the sensor itself. Noise reduction is applied to analog signals before A/D conversion and the resulting digital signals are then subject to a second round of noise reduction.

According to Oyagi, “These digital signals are virtually immune to external noise and interference.”

Clean, noise-free digital signals are then sent to the newly developed BIONZ™ processing engine. Oyagi said this engine has been optimized to process data-rich picture information at high speeds, and to reduce picture noise in the RAW data stage before final image compression and encoding. The results are high-resolution, detailed images with rich tonal reproduction.

Extraordinary responsiveness

The A700 camera is engineered to be fast and ultra-responsive so as to become “a virtual extension of your own senses,” Oyagi said, “capturing fleeting moments as you see them.”

A newly developed, auto-focus system features 11 wide-area sensors, including a centre dual cross sensor comprised of two horizontal and two vertical line sensors for exceptional AF precision. An F2.8 line sensor leverages the brightness of fast aperture lenses for even greater precision. Oyagi said that extraordinary focusing speed has been realized through improved algorithms and a high-torque focusing drive motor.

The large, bright, viewfinder uses a precision-ground optical glass pentaprism and a high refractive index eyepiece lens to provide 0.9x viewfinder magnification and 95 percent frame coverage. Manual focusing is aided by an interchangeable spherical acute matte focusing screen.

The camera has a high-performance vertical traverse shutter with a maximum shutter speed of 1/8000th of a second to freeze fast-moving action. A high-power coreless motor charges the shutter and mirror mechanism, allowing continuous shooting at up to five frames per second. In JPEG fine or standard mode, continuous shooting is limited only by the capacity of the media card (sold separately), while up to 18 frames can be captured in RAW.

Expanded creativity

The new camera features fourteen creative styles, including night view, autumn leaves or vivid, which can be selected to enhance images. These effects can then be fine-tuned by customizing contrast, sharpness, zone matching and other parameters.

Sony’s Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO) function has been updated on this model so users can choose the desired level of detail recovered in areas of shadow. The advanced mode offers the option of five levels of user selectable correction. Additionally, DRO bracketing creates three images from a single capture with three different levels of DRO.

There is an extensive array of customization options to personalize the camera to match shooting styles. The unit’s quick navigation interface can be accessed instantly with the four-way multi-selector, and selected parameters can be adjusted directly by control dials.

Up to 28 camera settings can be stored in one of three user memories for instant recall. The unit’s custom function button can be assigned to 15 frequently-accessed functions.

With the supplied remote capture application, the camera can be controlled from a compatible PC via USB without even touching the camera, and files can be stored on the computer instead of the media card.

Larger than life photo-viewing

The A700 model features an HDMI output for connection to HDTV sets, putting a high-resolution spin on the conventional photo slideshow. When connected to a Sony BRAVIA® LCD HD television, photos are optimized for viewing with the new “PhotoTV HD” mode. This mode brings the look of actual printed photography to the television.

“Increasingly, consumers are looking to view their photos beyond the traditional means of computer monitors,” says Patrick Lapointe, marketing manager, consumer displays, Sony Canada. “PhotoTV HD allows customers to view photos in high-definition on the large screen, as though they were actual printed photos – without compromising quality, sharpness, gradation or colour.”

The exceptional viewing experience of this camera also extends to viewing photos on its 3-inch LCD screen. The screen’s size and ultra-sharp resolution (921K) makes it possible to check focus and image quality with much greater accuracy.

A flexible system

The camera will be introduced with two new lenses, bringing Sony’s lens and teleconverter catalog up to 23 models. Supplied as a standard kit lens, the new DT 16-105 mm f.3.5 – 5.6 lens features a distinctive zoom range (35mm equivalency of 24 – 157.5 mm); compact, lightweight design; and internal focusing.

Sony’s full line of accessories will also expand to include a new VG-C70AM vertical grip. Equipped with buttons and switches for the most essential control functions, it offers the same ease of operation and handling as when shooting vertically. It houses two InfoLithium® batteries (sold separately), which will automatically switch to the second battery when the first one runs out. Remaining charges of both batteries are displayed on the camera’s LCD screen.

Memory that keeps up with the camera

The a700 is equipped with a CompactFlash card slot that will offer the consumer uncompromised speed and precision. The new 300x CompactFlash card offers a high-speed transfer rate of 300x (45MB/s write), which can be achieved when used with UDMA (Ultra Direct Memory Access) enabled equipment, such as the a700. Using a higher speed CompactFlash card with a D-SLR enhances the maximum bursts for continuous shooting.

“Consumers who purchase the new a700 can expect technical advancements and breathtaking photo quality,” says Sumant Sharma, product manager, recording media, Sony Canada. “With a CompactFlash slot, the a700 is also equipped with the ultimate support available. The 300x CompactFlash will support the end user with high transfer rates and high storage capacities.”

An image recovery feature is available through which the memory card attempts to recover some of the data which the user is unable to read. The new 300x CompactFlash cards will be available in two capacities, 4GB (NCFD4G) and 8GB (NCFD8G). The 4GB card is capable of capturing up to 682 photos at a 12 megapixel setting (JPEG FINE) by the a700. The 8GB card is capable of capturing up to 1,363 photos at a 12 megapixel setting (JPEG FINE) by the a700.

The a700 is compatible with Microdrive® media cards and also accepts Memory Stick Duo™ and Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ media cards through a supplied adaptor.

The DSLR-A700 body will be available in late September at an MSRP of $1,599.99 Canadian while the DSLR-A700P kit (body and 16-105mm zoom lens) will be available in November at an MSRP of $2,049.99.

The SAL16105 16-105mm zoom lens will also be available in November at an MSRP of $749.99 CDN. The HDMI cables, VMC-15MHD and VMC-30MHD, will be available in September at $119.99 and $79.99 CDN respectively.

The CompactFlash cards, NCFD4G and NCFD8G, will also be available in September at an MSRP of $199.99 and $349.99 CDN respectively.

• Super SteadyShot® Image Stabilization
Built-in technology moves the image sensor in response to camera shake, enabling every lens to benefit from automatic blur reduction. Anti-shake performance has been improved by up to half a stop over the entire focal length range compared to the Sony A100.

Equivalent correction now extends from 2.5 to 4 stops (depending on lens, camera settings and shooting conditions).

• Bionz™ Image Processor
At the heart of the a (alpha) DSLR-A700 DSLR camera is the advanced Sony Bionz™ Image Processor, using hardware-based Large Scale Integrated (LSI) circuitry that improves camera response time, screens out noise before RAW data conversion, handles Dynamic Range Optimization processing and prolongs battery life.

• Dynamic Range Optimizer
To recover details in dark or bright areas of the picture, the a (alpha) DSLR-A700 provides multiple levels of Dynamic Range Optimization: Standard mode, to improve shadow detail using standard gamma curves; Advanced Auto mode, allowing you to select any of 5 DRO correction levels, or DRO Advanced Bracketing, that automatically takes three shots at different DRO levels with a single shutter press.

Built-in Flash

The a (alpha) DSLR-A700 flip-up flash covers a wide focal range, synchronizes at 1/250 sec., supports red-eye reduction and slow flash features as well as manual flash mode to set flash intensity.

A wireless flash signal is available for external flash synchronization.

• PhotoTV HD Viewing with HDMI™ Output
The a (alpha) DSLR-A700 provides direct HDMI™ output to your Bravia® HDTV and other compatible HDTV screens, so you can view and share photos in breathtaking clarity and detail

You can choose between standard 3:2 and widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio -- and with new Bravia® HDTV models, photos are automatically optimized in sharpness, gradation and color reproduction for HD display.

• Wireless Remote Control
For shooting as well as viewing convenience, Sony supplies a multi-function wireless remote control with the a (alpha) DSLR-A700 -- allowing you to control HDTV photo viewing and trip the shutter by remote to put yourself in the picture.

• New RGB histogram
In addition to conventional histogram and flashing highlight/shadow warning displays, the Sony A700 offers RGB histogram color balance checking.

There's also a view that displays five preceding/following frames in addition to the current frame, greatly facilitating best-shot selection from a series of bracketed or sequential images.

In index view, the monitor can be set to display 4, 9, or 25 frames according to preference.