AF sensor 
AF sensor for F2.8 aperture or larger
The AF illuminator on the front of the camera has a range of up to 7 meters, and automatically provides supplementary illumination to enable accurate autofocusing even in the dark.
Superb responseFaster, more precise, 11-point autofocus system
100mm F2.8 Macro (SAL100M28), A mode, F4.5 (1/10 sec.), +1.0EV, ISO 100, White balance: Daylight Improved accuracy with moving subjects and large-aperture lensesA new, center dual cross 11-point AF sensor system, developed and manufactured by Sony, significantly boosts autofocusing accuracy and speed to ensure fewer missed shots. The 11-point layout allows great freedom in how subjects are framed, and the system's quick response heightens accuracy when shooting moving subjects. In addition to the center dual cross sensor, a dedicated new sensor has been incorporated to significantly boost focusing precision when shooting at apertures of F2.8 or larger. AF sensor layout 
The 11-point layout makes it easy to focus on the subject's eyes when taking vertically oriented portrait photos, and it provides good coverage for quick, precise focus with moving subjects, too. Focusing options to suit your shooting styleAF/MF button and focus clutch mechanism
When the AF/MF button is pressed, it switches focus modes by toggling the position of the focus clutch. The button can be customized to switch focus modes each time the button is pressed, or to switch modes only while the button is pressed. New AF/MF button for easy focus mode switchingThe key to easy, responsive focusing is the ability to switch seamlessly between auto (AF) and manual (MF) operation. On the α700, a focus drive clutch mechanism enables you to switch back and forth between the two simply by pressing the new AF/MF button on the back of the camera. Operation is so intuitive, there's no need to alter your grip or take your eye from the viewfinder. A dial on the front of the camera provides easy access to four focusing modes: manual focus (MF), single AF (AF-S), continuous AF (AF-C), and an auto AF (AF-A) mode that automatically switches from single AF to continuous AF when the system detects that a subject is moving. By combining AF/MF button switching with the high-speed, high-precision AF mode of your choice, you can enjoy accurate and responsive focusing in virtually any situation. 
4 Focus Modes
Dual sensors for Eye-Start® AF activationAlthough autofocusing is ordinarily activated by pressing the shutter button half-way, the Sony Eye-Start system automatically activates it for you as soon as you grip the camera and put your eye to the viewfinder. And that means you're ready to start shooting sooner, and are able to make the most of almost every photo opportunity. 
Eye-Start grip sensor 
Eye-Start eyepiece sensor 
AF illuminator Bright, clear viewfinder for easy focusingThe bright, clear viewfinder features a precision-ground optical glass pentaprism and a high refractive index eyepiece lens, treated with an anti-reflective coating to help prevent ghosting. A spherical acute matte focusing screen aids manual focusing by making it easy to identify the correct focus point. 
Optical glass pentaprism 
Spherical acute matte Full-resolution continuous shooting at 5 fps
Vario-Sonnar® T* DT16-80mm F3.5-4.5 ZA (SAL1680Z), M mode, 1/1000 sec., F8, ISO 400, White balance: Daylight High-speed, high-capacity continuous shootingThanks to the α700's blazingly fast new BIONZ engine, high-speed shutter, high-power coreless motor, and optimized processing sequence control, users can capture full-resolution 12.24-megapixel images at speeds up to 5 fps. A low-speed 3 fps setting is also offered, and continuous shooting of L-size images is possible up to the limit of available memory in JPEG Fine and Standard image quality modes.
Responsive and interactive performanceDual slots for memory cardsThe α700 accepts both CompactFlash® and MemoryStick Duo™ recording media.* Users can select which of the loaded media they want to use by default; when the first card gets full, they can switch to the second card via a simple menu setting. *Accepts high-speed MemoryStick Pro-HG Duo, as well as MemoryStick Duo and Pro Duo media.
3 high-precision metering modesThe α700 is equipped with a 40-segment honeycomb-pattern metering sensor that uses advanced new algorithms to ensure balanced exposures under a wide range of lighting conditions. Users can select 40-segment honeycomb-pattern metering, center-weighted metering, or spot metering via a 3-way metering mode switch conveniently positioned on the back of the camera. 
40-segment honeycomb-pattern metering 
Center-weighted metering 
Spot metering Quick-response coreless motor and dual mirror stoppersA high-power coreless motor is used to drive the high-speed shutter and mirror that were developed to enable 5 fps continuous shooting. In addition, a primary stopper and a secondary rebound stopper are employed to prevent the mirror bounce that can slow high-speed operation. Copyright 2007 Sony Corporation.
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