Sony A700 vs. Sony A900: A Hands-On Journey Through Two Sony DSLRs

Having spent over 15 years testing cameras - from legacy film bodies to modern mirrorless marvels - I’ve developed a deep appreciation for how nuanced the evolution can be, especially within a single brand’s lineup. Today, I’m diving into a detailed comparison of two Sony DSLRs separated by just under a year but miles apart in sensor technology, design philosophy, and intended audience: the Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 and its larger sibling, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A900.

Both cameras hail from an era when Sony was still solidifying its footing in the DSLR market, having acquired Konica Minolta's camera division only a few years prior. The A700 was introduced in late 2007 as an advanced APS-C format DSLR, succeeding the venerable Konica Minolta 7D, while the A900 made its debut in late 2008 as Sony’s first full-frame DSLR - a leap in sensor real estate and image quality.

Let me take you through my hands-on observations, technical breakdowns, and practical impressions across the spectrum of photographic disciplines. Whether you’re a seasoned pro curious about legacy gear or a photography enthusiast hunting for a solid workhorse, this comparison will arm you with actionable insights.

Getting a Feel: Size, Ergonomics, and Controls

Nothing strikes you more quickly in a real-world test than how a camera feels in the hand - the tactile feedback, button layout, and overall size.

Body and Handling

The A700 is a mid-sized DSLR with a robust magnesium alloy chassis weighing 768 grams, dimensions measuring roughly 142x105x80 mm. It balances well for extended handheld shooting with a firm grip that’s neither bulky nor too compact.

On the other hand, the A900 steps it up with a noticeably larger frame at 156x117x82 mm and a heftier 895 grams. This size increase is primarily to accommodate the full-frame sensor and a larger pentaprism viewfinder assembly. The grip on the A900 feels exceptionally solid, providing excellent stability, especially when paired with hefty lenses - helpful for those long shoots.

The decision between these two comes down to how much weight and size you prefer to carry for that enhanced image quality and build.

Control Layout and Top Interfaces

Both cameras favor standard DSLR layouts but with some key refinements.

The A700 sports a simplified top plate. Its well-spread mode dial, shutter speed and aperture controls, and dedicated ISO button allow quick adjustments but with fewer customizable buttons. The top LCD is absent, which keeps the design cleaner but requires a glance at the rear screen or viewfinder for shooting parameters.

The A900, true to its professional intent, adds a top LCD with backlight ("topscreen") for at-a-glance info, dual control dials for more complex exposure manipulations, and a dedicated button cluster for exposure compensation, white balance, and metering modes. If you shoot frequently in manual or semi-auto modes, this adds much-needed convenience and speed.

In essence, the A700 caters well to enthusiasts needing solid controls without clutter, while the A900 assumes experienced users who demand quicker access and greater UI feedback.

Sensor Showdown: APS-C vs. Full-Frame

Sensor technology shapes every photographic outcome: resolution, dynamic range, noise performance, and more.

The A700 houses a 12.2MP APS-C sized CMOS sensor measuring 23.5x15.6 mm with a 1.5x crop factor. Sony incorporated an anti-aliasing filter to mediate moiré, which slightly softens the image but helps maintain clean details. With a max native ISO of 6400, it was respectable for its time and offered good color depth (22.3 bits) and dynamic range (11.9 EV stops) by mid-2000s standards.

By contrast, the A900 boasts a 24.6MP full-frame CMOS sensor, 35.9x24 mm in size, doubling the sensor area - resulting in superior light-gathering capacity, wider tonal gradation, and higher resolution (max 6048x4032 pixels). Sony’s Bionz processor paired with the A900 boosts low-light sensitivity up to ISO 6400 but with significantly cleaner results thanks to larger pixel wells and improved noise algorithms. Color depth climbs to 23.7 bits, and dynamic range nudges 12.3 EV stops, a meaningful improvement noticeable especially in RAW post-processing.

This sensor discrepancy profoundly affects creative freedom: the A900 excels where image quality matters most - large prints, high ISO shooting, and subtle tone rendition - while the A700 offers an accessible and capable sensor for everyday situations.

Viewing the World: Viewfinder and Screen Experience

Precise framing and review are essential components of reliable shooting.

Both cameras incorporate fixed 3-inch LCD screens with close to 920K dots resolution, aiding in playback and menu navigation. The A900 uses a TFT Xtra Fine color LCD that renders images with improved clarity and color accuracy, a boon when critically reviewing focus or exposure. The A700’s simpler screen still holds up decently but feels slightly dated by comparison.

Regarding optical viewfinders, the A700 offers 95% coverage with 0.6x magnification, meaning you’ll need to mentally compensate for elements just outside the frame. In contrast, the A900's viewfinder covers 100% and magnifies at 0.74x, providing a more accurate and immersive view - critical when composition precision can make or break a professional shot.

For eye-level framing, the larger and brighter pentaprism of the A900 makes visual focusing and manual adjustments easier. Both rely on optical viewfinders exclusively, with no electronic options - typical for DSLRs in that era.

Autofocus Systems: Speed and Accuracy in the Field

Autofocus performance is a major factor for photographers shooting action, wildlife, and dynamic scenes.

The A700 employs an 11-point phase-detection autofocus (AF) system, selected via multi-area or single-point modes, with continuous AF available but no face or eye detection. While solid for portraits and landscapes, it can struggle with fast-moving subjects in complex light.

The A900 pares down to 9 AF points, but with improvements in cross-type sensors center-weighted for better accuracy and faster locking. It also supports exposure bracketing and white balance bracketing - a nod to professional workflows allowing rapid adjustments without repeating shots.

Neither supports advanced eye or animal detection AF (now commonplace today), but their robust phase-detect AF systems deliver reliable performance paired with suitable lenses.

In my experience, the A900 nails focus on subjects even in challenging contrast conditions, while the A700 requires fiddling with focus points more often. For sports and wildlife photographers, the A900’s improved AF responsiveness makes a tangible difference.

Burst Speed and Buffer: Catching the Decisive Moment

Both cameras sport a maximum continuous shooting speed of 5 frames per second, respectable for their era but modest compared to today’s standards.

The A700’s buffer size handles around 6-7 RAW frames before slowing, whereas the A900’s buffer performs slightly better, facilitating longer bursts, an advantage when shooting sports or wildlife action.

Though a 5 fps frame rate feels restrictive for high-speed sports photographers now, it was considered competitive over a decade ago, and still sufficient for many portrait and landscape applications.

Image Stabilization and Flash Systems

Sony leveraged sensor-based image stabilization (IBIS) in both cameras - a significant feature that sets them apart from rivals relying on lens stabilization.

Sensor-based stabilization benefits all lenses, old and new, including the numerous Sony/Minolta Alpha mount lenses (over 140 options). This versatility is invaluable when pairing legacy primes or adapting older optics.

The A700 includes a built-in flash with standard modes like auto, fill-in, red-eye reduction, slow sync, and rear curtain sync. Its flash range maxes out at around 12 meters, suitable for casual fill or environmental lighting.

Conversely, the A900 omits a built-in flash, signaling its professional pedigree that expects external, powerful flashes with wireless control options. This suits studio photographers and outdoor pros requiring precise light shaping.

Durability, Weather Sealing, and Build Quality

When you invest hundreds or thousands in a camera, durability matters.

Both cameras feature magnesium alloy exteriors with effective environmental sealing around buttons and compartments, designed to resist dust and moisture - a critical aspect for outdoor shooters.

Neither is waterproof or rated shockproof; however, their robust construction comfortably suits demanding fieldwork.

Lens Compatibility and Ecosystem

One shining feature shared by both is the Sony/Minolta Alpha mount compatibility, connecting to a broad legacy lens lineup (approximately 143 lenses).

This gives photographers flexibility accessing classic and third-party optics, often at attractive prices.

The A700’s APS-C crop factor (1.5x) effectively extends the reach of telephoto lenses, great for wildlife and sports. The A900’s full-frame sensor utilizes lenses at their native focal lengths, perfect for landscapes and portraits requiring maximum sharpness and bokeh control.

Battery Life and Storage Practicalities

The A900 features a strong battery rating, capable of approximately 880 shots per charge, supporting longer extended shoots without worrying about recharging - a real advantage for event and travel photographers.

The A700’s exact battery life is less emphasized in available specs but generally considered good for its class with the NP-FM500H battery.

Both cameras employ dual storage slots compatible with CompactFlash (Type I/II) and Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo cards. The A900 supports UDMA Mode 5, allowing faster data writing, critical under high-resolution RAW bursts. This storage flexibility supports professionals needing redundancy or continuous shooting sessions.

No Video, But What About Connectivity?

Neither camera offers video recording capabilities - a sign of their era, prior to the DSLR video revolution sparked by later DSLRs.

Connectivity options are basic: USB 2.0 and mini-HDMI ports enable tethering and image transfer but no wireless features like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. USB 2.0’s 480 Mbps speed limits transfer rates, occasionally a bottleneck with huge RAW files.

For photographers today craving immediate sharing or remote control, these lack modern convenience but remain workable with card readers and tethering software.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

Having laid out the technical specs, now to bring it all home with real applications. I tested both extensively in various scenarios, taking note of nuance and practicality.

Portrait Photography

The A900’s full-frame sensor shines here: Skin tones are rendered with smooth gradation and natural warmth, especially under soft light. Its superior depth of field control creates creamy bokeh, separating subjects from backgrounds more convincingly. Despite lacking eye-detection AF, the fast and precise central autofocus points lock firmly on eyes with manual framing.

The A700, with its smaller sensor and 1.5x crop, still produces pleasing portraits but with tighter depth of field control due to smaller sensor size. Bokeh is less fluid, and colors can appear slightly less vibrant. However, its built-in flash aids fill-in lighting for indoor or low-light portraits.

Landscape Photography

Landscape lovers will appreciate the A900’s higher resolution (25MP) and full-frame sensor's ability to capture immense detail with dynamic range that preserves shadows and highlights superbly. Environmental sealing supports shooting in misty or windy conditions reliably.

The A700 performs admirably but with noticeably lower resolution (12MP) and APS-C crop, producing images suitable for web or moderate prints. Dynamic range remains solid but less forgiving for extreme contrast scenes.

Wildlife Photography

When tracking fast animals, autofocus speed and telephoto reach are paramount. The A700 benefits from a 1.5x crop, effectively extending lens reach but its AF is less responsive and reliable in continuous mode, occasionally hunting in tricky situations.

The A900’s AF system locks targets quickly, and while full-frame lenses offer less reach, professionals often combine teleconverters or utilize longer primes to compensate. The increased buffer length and image quality at higher ISOs make this camera more suitable for serious wildlife shooters.

Sports Photography

Both cameras max out at 5 fps burst rates, which feels limiting today for major sporting events. The A900’s superior AF accuracy and buffering provide a slight edge in capturing split-second action.

Low-light performance favors the A900 dramatically; at elevated ISOs, the A700’s noise becomes apparent earlier, compromising image usability. Sports lighting often requires pushing sensitivities, making the A900 preferable.

Street Photography

Street photography benefits from discretion and agility. The A700's smaller size and lighter weight encourage portability. Its built-in flash also aids quickly illuminating faces in dim settings tactfully.

While the A900 is larger and heavier, its superior image quality offers richer detail and lower noise in night street scenes; however, the lack of live view or silent shutter limits candid shooting discreetness.

Macro Photography

Precise focus and stabilization matter here. Both cameras feature sensor-based stabilization, helpful when using macro primes handheld.

The A900’s larger sensor allows finer control over depth of field for isolating subjects, while the A700's APS-C sensor, combined with a compact kit lens or dedicated macro, performs well but with less subtle gradation.

Night and Astrophotography

The A900 shines in this demanding niche: its high ISO 6400 maintains low noise, enabling cleaner captures of stars and nightscapes. The full-frame sensor’s dynamic range helps preserve faint detail in shadows.

The A700 struggles earlier with noise and limited dynamic range but can produce rewarding night shots with patient exposure management.

Video Capabilities

Neither camera supports video recording. If hybrid photo-video performance is vital, newer glass or mirrorless designs should be considered.

Value Assessment and Final Thoughts

Sony A700 front Sony A700 screen back Sony A900 front Sony A900 screen back

Priced around $999 at launch versus $2,735 for the A900, the cost difference reflects the leap in sensor tech and pro features.

The A700 presents an excellent value for enthusiasts seeking capable APS-C DSLR performance with solid build and lens access. It handles portraits, landscapes, and street photography with grace at a friendly price.

The A900 demands a professional’s wallet but rewards with full-frame resolution, superior dynamic range, better low-light prowess, and advanced ergonomics - qualities that matter deeply for studio, landscape, wildlife, and sports pros.

Who Should Buy Which?

• Choose the Sony A700 if:

  • You want a rugged, reliable DSLR under $1000 with excellent APS-C sensor quality.
  • You value portability or are transitioning from entry-level cameras.
  • You shoot primarily portraits, landscapes, or urban photography.
  • You appreciate sensor-based stabilization and built-in flash.
  • You want access to a wide legacy lens selection.

• Choose the Sony A900 if:

  • You demand top-tier full-frame image quality for professional or fine art photography.
  • Your work includes demanding low-light, landscape, wildlife, or sports shooting.
  • You need robust weather sealing and a fully featured control interface.
  • You plan to print large or require optimal RAW processing latitude.
  • Budget is flexible and image quality is paramount.

Closing Reflections

Testing these cameras side by side was a rewarding look into Sony’s DSLR evolution. The A700 remains a surprisingly capable tool for many photographers, while the A900 set a new benchmark then that still impresses today.

If you find these models on the used market, they still offer tremendous teaching and shooting value, especially coupled with legacy glass.

I hope this detailed comparison helps you navigate the trade-offs between sensor size, handling, and price for your photographic journey. Exploring and understanding the tools is as vital as the art you create - happy shooting!

Disclaimer: I have no commercial affiliation with Sony and this analysis is based on personal hands-on testing, lab data review from DxOMark, and years of practical usage across multiple photographic shoots.