The DSLR-A700 is provided with a software CD which contains:
Picture Motion Browser 2.1.02 (Windows) - An easy to use and fast image and video clip
cataloging and browsing application with a fairly unique calendar based animated interface.
Image Data Lightbox SR 1.0 (Windows / Mac OS X) - An image browsing and workflow
application designed for rating and selecting images from a large collection. Provides synchronized
side-by-side comparison of images in 2, 3 and 4 images per screen views.
Image Data Converter SR 2.0 (Windows / Mac OS X) - A further development of the previously
seen Image Data Converter SR, provides advanced RAW conversion capabilities, adjustments
include Creative Style, Sharpness (including overshoot / undershoot tuning), Highlight Color
Distortion reduction and Noise Reduction.
RAW conversion
As is normal in our digital SLR reviews I like to compare the supplied RAW conversion software, any optional manufacturer RAW conversion software and some third party RAW converter. In the case of the A700 we had the supplied Image Data Converter SR as well as Adobe Camera RAW 4.3 beta.
JPEG - Large/Fine, Default settings
IDC - Image Data Converter SR 2.0.01.09280
ACR - Adobe Camera RAW 4.3 beta
Color reproduction
Place your mouse over the label below the image to see the color from a GretagMacbeth ColorChecker chart produced using each RAW converter. As you can see Image Data Converter matches the color response of the cameras internal image processor very closely (there are some very subtle differences but it's unlikely you'd see these in real life). As usual Adobe Camera RAW has its own 'different' color response, deeper blues but slightly paler reds.
Sony DSLR-A700
Compare to:
Standard
Vivid
Neutral
Adobe RGB
Clear
Deep
Light
Portrait
Landscape
Sunset
Night
Autumn
B+W
Sepia
Sharpness and Detail
As you can see from the 100% crops below there's really very little difference in this comparison between JPEG from the camera, RAW converted using Image Data Converter and RAW converted using Adobe Camera RAW. If anything the ACR image perhaps has slightly crisper edges around high contrast (black on white) detail.
J
P
E
G
I
D
C
A
C
R
Resolution
The differences between these three are pretty obvious, and stark. The JPEG from the camera demonstrates good resolution beyond absolute resolution which would mean good representation of texture and distant detail. Adobe Camera RAW (as usual) delivers great per pixel sharpness and resolution. The biggest disappointment however is the output from Image Data Converter which produced a large amount of moire as well as blurring anything beyond 2500 LPH.
Loved the camera. Still have it and use it as a backup with my telephoto for the crop factor even after moving to Sony A7ii. I still prefer it's nice pentaprism, Optical Viewfinder and ergonomics compared to the A7ii but it's focusing system, metering, and dynamic range have definitely been left far behind by the newer cameras.
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