Software

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:  
      
      
      
      
StandardVividNeutralAdobe RGB
ClearDeepLightPortrait
LandscapeSunsetNightAutumn
B+WSepia

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.

JPEG from camera Image Data Converter SR (RAW)
 
Adobe Camera RAW 4.3 beta (RAW)