Sony a500 vs Sony a700
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a500 and Sony a700. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.
Sony a500 were released 2009 and Sony a700 was released 2007. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a500 | 2009 |
Sony a700 | 2007 |
Type of camera
Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.
Sensors / crop factor
Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Sony APS-C") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.
Camera | Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 ** |
Sony a500 | 75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
Sony a700 | 75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"
Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Resolution
Both these cameras have the exact same resolution. Sony a500 has a 12 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a700 has 12 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Sony a500 |
12 MP
12166656 pixels 4272 x 2848 |
Sony a700 |
12 MP
12166656 pixels 4272 x 2848 |
ISO range
Sony a500 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a700. Sony a500 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 12800 while Sony a700 has 100 to 1600.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a500 | 200-12800 |
Sony a700 | 100-1600 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.
Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a500
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a700
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Sony a700 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a500 | 5 |
Sony a700 | 5 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
Though, neither Sony a500 or Sony a700 can shoot movies so if that is a functionality that you are really looking for you should look elsewhere.
Weight
The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.
Sony a700 weighs 768 gr (equal to 1.69 lb) which is 22% heavier than Sony a500 and its 630 gr (or 1.39 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a500 | 630 gr 1.39 lb |
Sony a700 | 768 gr 1.69 lb |
Sony a500 vs Sony a700 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a500 and Sony a700, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.
Product |
Sony a500 |
Sony a700 |
Name | Sony a500 | Sony a700 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Sony |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a500 |
Sony a700 |
Release Year | 2009 | 2007 |
Release Date | 2009-08-27 | 2007-09-06 |
MSRP | 549 USD | 1399 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a500 |
Sony a700 |
Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a500 |
Sony a700 |
Sensor Size | APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) | APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) |
Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 4272 x 2848 pixels | 4272 x 2848 pixels |
Megapixels | 12 MP | 12 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz | Bionz |
Image |
Sony a500 |
Sony a700 |
ISO Range | 200 - 12800 | 100 - 1600 |
White Balance Presets | 6 | 7 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-Shift) |
Yes (Sensor-Shift) |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a500 |
Sony a700 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous |
Focus Points | 9 | 11 |
Lens Mount |
Sony A See Compatible Lenses |
Sony A See Compatible Lenses |
Focal Length Multiplier |
APS-C Sensor (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm |
APS-C Sensor (1.5x) 1.5x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 36 mm 50 mm becomes 75 mm 100 mm becomes 150 mm 200 mm becomes 300 mm |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Sony a500 |
Sony a700 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | N/A |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 230000 | 920000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | N/A | N/A |
Live view | Yes | No |
Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | 95% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) | 0.9× (0.6× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a500 |
Sony a700 |
Frames per second | 5 fps | 5 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | 12 meters | 12 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | No |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) | +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a500 |
Sony a700 |
Video recording | No | No |
Video format | N/A | N/A |
Video resolution | N/A | N/A |
Built-in Microphone | No | No |
Built-in Speakers | No | No |
Storage |
Sony a500 |
Sony a700 |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Compact Flash Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Connectivity |
Sony a500 |
Sony a700 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | No |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless | No | No |
Remote Control | Yes (Wired or wirelss (Optional)) | Yes (Wire (Optional)) |
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a500 |
Sony a700 |
Enviromentally sealed | No | No |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
|
Lithium-Ion (NP-FM500H) & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 520 shots | 650 shots |
Width | 137 mm | 142 mm |
Height | 104 mm | 105 mm |
Depth | 84 mm | 80 mm |
Weight | 630 gram | 768 gram |