a700 v4 review on DPR

[KevinBarrett]

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0902/09021 ... update.asp

I hadn't got a chance to read this yet as I'm headed out of town, but I thought I'd bring it to everyone's attention.

[Bodak]

Thanks for that Kevin

[Dusty]

Yes, thank you Kevin. While it becomes increasingly unlikely that I'll buy a new A700 - unless of course it's price drops quite a bit, and it's replacement doesn't come soon, it's still good to know how they perform. It's also likely that I get a good deal on a used one when the next model comes out.

Dusty

[Mark K]

A700 remains the most noisy camera comparing to D40, D300 and E3. Is the sensor A700 used nosier than one in D300

[alphaomega]

I have read the key findings in the A700 v.4 DPR review and find it fair and reasonable. I have had my copy over a year now and mostly I am a happy owner. I would not exchange it for a D300, D40 or E3. I think it is still a bit noisy at higher ISOs but I rarely use these settings anyway.
This camera represented a major step forward by Sony compared with the A100, which I skipped due to "slow" focusing and shutter noise.
I will continue to use my A700 as my main camera until a suitable replacement is released, provided it provides me with a major step forward such as a usable LV, larger APS-C sensor (16 Million plus pixels) with more resolution and lower noise at higher ISO settings. Video would not interest me.

[alphaomega]

It is funny how the reviewers keep going on about the A700 has a standard ISO setting of 200 and that is not revealed in the Instruction book (Users Guide). I have sent them an email pointing out that if they read page 64 they will find the following text under heading "Seting ISO":
----from the standard (ISO200)----
So the Users Guide does specify ISO200 as the standard setting. I wonder if they will change the wording of their review. Time will show.