Having jumped into DSLRs in 2008, I bought the 350, as it was the "latest and greatest" at the time. It also had more MPs than the 700, better flesh-tones (weddings were my main focus) and LV. A few months ago I got a good deal on a second 350 body, and purchased it. With low mileage on it, I no longer have to borrow my buddy's Nikon for backup when shooting a wedding.

Today Pako's old 700 arrived in the mail. Another good deal, and I stretched the budget to get it. First impressions (I haven't used it a lot yet):

Heavier, larger, better built, brighter and larger viewfinder, and larger, clearer LCD. And the missing PC sync socket is there! The grip is also deeper, so it's better for my large hands. There are lots of features/options that I don't have on the 350, so I have to figure them out before I give my impression on their functions.

All that being said, the joystick is inferior to the 350's and (being used to the 350) in the wrong place. I got used to the LV screen, it's often used in macro and as a waist level VF. I also like the 350's flash pop-up button. Minor point I know, but I can tell Sony was progressing forward in design at that point.

I'm sure I'll find more as I use it more. Now, however, I'm short on cards, batteries and lenses. I need to get my original 18-70 fixed, so I have a wide for each, of get either a 16-105or 16-80 CZ! I only have 4 batts for 3 cameras, so a few more are in order, and will soon be on order.

I need another system flash, but I can use my big Sunpaks with the 700!

Lets see what the future holds for this thing!

Dusty

I'll concede that live-view is a luxury that I (as an a700 user) try very hard to forget about, but the rest of this statement is baffling!

Hi Dusty,

I think you can not compare a 3xx and a 7xx class cameras -even if the A350 is more than 2 years "younger"... I was thinking about buying the A580 as a replacement for the A700, because the newer technology, the OVF, video, etc. But for what I need the camera, it is not a match. period. It took me about one year to decide to sell the A700 because it is a wonderful camera, the Sensor was underrated from the beginning. With this camera you can really find the difference between a good lens, a regular lens, and a lemon.

I haven't use the Alpha entry level models (other than the A100, that I never liked...) just try them at the store. None works for what I want. I do expect the new technology is better than the one on the A700/A900/A850 generation -but this are amazing cameras, 100% photographer's tools.

No regrets about selling the A700, I went for an "old" A900, until it's successor shows up -even if the A7X is that amazing camera everybody want us to believe.

Regards

If you compare the 2 joysticks, the 700 has one that sticks out like a mini game controller. The 350 has a wider, shallower one where the left/right/up/down is an outside ring, and has a separate, slightly recessed button. It's also lower on the back, and that's where muscle-memory wants it to be. I just checked something else I remember left-eyed people complaining about, and if I would have had this camera when I still had the patch on the right eye, my nose would been causing all kinds of problems! Not so with the 350's lower placed unit.

Dusty

I have that problem on a permanent basis! I am left eye dominant, so all the controls on the rear are hidden! This is despite me being right handed. I've tried using my right eye, but it just doesn't work!

I don't agree: for different reasons, I use my left eye for photography, and never had problems with the joystick -or any other button on the camera. Any camera. Even if I keep my right eye open and look at what I'm photographing over the camera. I guess a camera for lefties will be more comfortable -if you are "plain lefty" but in my case, or Atget's, just adapting is the solution.

If I recall correctly, the joystick was one of the things that users of the Minolta 7 and KM 7D were not happy about. The older cameras had a system similar to what you described but they also had a rotary slider around the directional pad for selecting "wide", or "local" AF sensors with a locking position, so you don't inadvertently switch the AF points.

tom

Dusty- I used to feel the same way about the joystick when I moved from the a200 to a700 (I believe the a200 and a350 have the same setup). Now, when I go back to my a200, it feels like the inferior arrangement. I find that I can navigate faster with the a700, an I don't hit that center button with my big thumbs..

I agree. Although there are a few minor niggles for me with the A700 if it wasn't for the control wheel QC problem I would be content to keep using it for awhile longer and would not have bought the Canon 60D. I really envy those of you who got good copies of it. I also agree with you about the A100.

By the way, I am still in Austin and don't have regular internet access -- only if I stop at a coffee shop, etc. that has wifi. At the moment I am at a McDonald's to use the free wifi and drinking a diet coke.

This is a personal preference issue and over time you may not be annoyed as much by the A700 joystick. I like that it sticks out because I usually have AF decoupled from the shutter release and I press the joystick to get AF. Since it sticks out it is always very easy to find with my thumb.

I am left eye and left hand dominant so I know what you mean. Although I have used SLRs for decades they just aren't designed well for us.

I have only really had a problem since I started using DSLRs. The 7D was the worst for me, in that respect, although I found it a superb camera in every other way, although some of the button/switch positions on the shoulder & top plate of the a580 do make things a bit easier.

No real issues with any of my bodies other than consistency of button positions and menus.
Often have to lower camera to visually check which button is which.
Still have the A100, A700 and A580 and use the latter 2 bodies.

Mike

PS Atgets_Apprentice, love your siggy, reminds me of all the bodies I had.

XG2, XD7, X500, 7Xi, 9Xi, 500Si Super, 700Si, 7, 7D, A100, A700, A580

Cheers,
Mike

I missed one out. I also had an XG1n!

Used the 700 to shoot some of our award-winning marketing items (we won 3 awards this year), and it was a mixed blessing. I really missed the LV.

Since we're not really set up to shoot these things, I put them on a table, covered with a old bed-sheet as a background. That means I have to be high up to get everything in, not having any lens wider than 18mm (yet). Holding the camera out at arm's length and shooting in LV on the 350 was always how I'd done this. With the 700, lean over until you just about feel yourself falling, and compose and shoot! I need to find a wider and shorter table!

The large OVF made composing easier, and the better LCD means I get a better feel for how the shot turned out. The best part, however, is that I can shoot with my SunPak 522 bounced off of a white reflector (our large conference room writing pad) while using the 42 as a main light. That's something I couldn't have done with the 350, unless I got an adapter.

All in all, it came out okay. If I would have had time to do more set-up an experimentation, it could have been better, but these are just to put on some pasteboard to display at the awards ceremony, and people won't be close enough to them to pixel peep!

Dusty