Rating: 
Summary: A great amateur purchase
Review: I bought this camera a year ago as an upgrade from the P70 because I wanted something with manual focus and a higher resolution. I've been extremely satisfied with the picture quality, although a slightly faster lens would have made taking indoor pictures easier without the flash. The image quality is astounding; everyone around me is amazed at what this camera can produce. 5MP is plenty for producing decently-sized prints.The camera works well with every computer I've plugged it into on a range of operating systems (Mac OS 8-X, Windows 98-XP,RedHat Linux 7.x) and shows up as a mounted filesystem that I can easily drag a drop to/from. I don't use the included software to edit images, preferring ImageMagick for quick edits or photoshop for more complicated work. I would certainly reccomend this camera for anyone looking for capability beyond the basic point-and-shoot models. The manual focus and exposure settings are simple and relatively intuitive, and more complicated things like white balancing are properly available. I would reccomend this camera for anyone looking for a digital camera, but still wanting to retain some of the flexibility of a SLR film camera.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Investment in Digital Photography
Review: Frankly, this IS an investment...you spending $1000+ for this camera plus some needed accessories. Few people will ever shoot 5 Mega Pixels (MP) shots every time, but serious (and serious amateur) photographers will certainly appreciate being able to produce stunning detail when the need arises. Look at images shot on your friends' 2 or 3 MP cameras...this level of quality is amazing...but you WILL want to exceed this occasionally, and (...) is the price you pay to get the technology NOW. A 5 MP head shot will allow you to EASILY discern individual hairs on life-size prints (as in 11x14)...it's truely amazing. I looked at the Minolta Dimage 7...the auto focus zooms past the subject and back...it seems irritatiingly "loose", for lack of a better term. The Sony is a bit crisper in it's approach to auto focus, though not perfect. Low-light shots are a challenge, but the viewfinder does have a tremendous amount of information available, including exposure "F" stops, shutter speed, low light warnings, etc. The true genius is that you can essentially operate the camera in a manual mode, quickly overriding the meter to compensate for the light in any situation...backlight, contrasty light, reflections, etc. If you ever used a 35mm in manual in the old days (when you really had to KNOW photography), you'll love the control available. And younger photographers will find a whole new world in being able to make this camera do what most digitals will still not do...take the unusual shot. The camera is well balanced, and rather sturdy. You will get used to the shooting position...give it time. My biggest complaint is that the zoom selection switch operates "backwards" to my taste. Intuitively, I want to zoom "in" pressing the "out" button (!)... You have an adequate built-in pop-up flash...PLUS a PC connection for external flash AND a flash shoe! Slavery, anyone? The memory stick is a bit of a hassle, but extremely convenient once you get over the struggle. Buy a small USB reader to use at work or home...I use the "Zio". And buy the 128 MB memory stick...nothing smaller. There were early problems with "White Balance", as recently as Nov 01. Current cameras should be shipping with the factory fix, but Sony, to it's shame, STILL has no information on it's website detailing same, even though it required early owners to send the camera for a "free" repair. Not exactly good thinking for a $1000 camera. The images are good, but I do have to compensate a bit in low-light. Based on shooting several thousand "test" shots with another camera, I'm happy with this one. It does the job and can satisfy both consumer and professional. Note that I do not plan to replace this camera for several years. Why? Because printer technology has not caught up to the resolution of the camera (at least for the home user) and no one really needs much more in a camera. Five Mega Pixels will generate a poster-size image with very nice quality...you won't be doing it often, but you'll be glad you did when you do. I like it, and I shopped hard to ensure the most features with the best price. As with all electronics, find a cheap extended warranty. (...) . Cameras DO break. Shop carefully for a CASE to put it in...the unique shape requires some thinking. I have 3. One for everything including cords and cables, one for the camera plus memory sticks, and a Sony brand "ever-ready" case. Depends on how long you're out and how fast you want to access the camera..at what level of protection. Think. You'll want an extra battery. Perhaps a travel charger, otherwise you charge the battery by plugging the CAMERA in the wall (!)...thanks Sony. :-( Buy a UV filter (58mm) to protect the lens. This camera is expensive, and generally reliable - it's a Sony. Many features I have not detailed, and it has a superb 10x OPTICAL zoom (and a 2x digital). If you are thinking digital and want to not have to trade-up for a while, I suggest the Sony DSC-F707. If you love photography, do not buy a smaller CCD chip than 5 MP...even if you buy another brand. But I certainly recommend the Sony DSC-F707 camera for people to whom the image is important.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome camera
Review: This is my first camera i ever purchased. It's great! I haven't had any complaints. It shoots great pics, the zoom is phenomenal, and the features are great. Its a quality camera
Rating:
Summary: Awesome Camera!
Review: This Sony takes some awesome photos! I have printed a lot and they are always sharp & clear, this cam has a ton of features and is every bit worth the asking price, so go ahead and plunk down the cash, you won't be dissapointed!
Rating:
Summary: Superb camera for the Money
Review: Like most people about to buy a digital camera, I did a lot of research. A lot. When it came down to making a decision about price vs. value, I kept coming back to the 707. It really came down to the incredibly high resolution, the Zeiss lens and the EFT veiwfinder which although not the ideal, it's damn good for an EFT. It also has a very functional diopter adjuster which makes the viewfinder the best in its class. I've been using the camera for about a year now and it's NEVER run our of power. I work at a graphic design firm and my co workers are blown away by my 11x14 prints made from this camera. I still don't see anything that can touch the quality of this camera for the $. You just can't go wrong.
Rating:
Summary: Good grief!
Review: This camera is simply amazing. A long time ago when digital cameras were first starting to appear I plunked down a load of cash for a camera. It stunk. My big issue with them back then was, apart from the image size being too small, the images looked no better than a consumer level video camera. Whites were always blown out and the image looked like what it was - video. So, I went back to shooting mainly 35mm film and scanning that. Due to some unforseen events, I ended up purchasing this camera. I really did not expect it to act any better than the digicams I have previously owned. I am amazed at how well Sony got this thing to behave like my 35mm film cameras! The images even look like they were shot on film. Very crisp, clear, and none of that awful video look. Whites are white and not a single sign of being blown out. I have found that there are times that the colors are not right on if you just shoot in full auto mode, but if you take the time to compose the shot you can get everything perfect. This is definitely not a camera for someone who just wants to take pictures. It is for serious amateur photographers who don't want to spend the massive amounts of cash on something like a Canon D-60.
Rating:
Summary: Love this thing
Review: This is our first digital camera, and we absolutely love it. It is easy to use, comfortable to hold (Although a wee bit bulky with the long lens), and takes AWESOME pictures. Many people have commented on the quality of the pictures. I highly recommend a HITI or equal printer using dye-scan technology for printing. No other printers will come close, and these pictures look like a postcard! SONY should provide at least a 64 MB memory, and I highly recommend getting two batteries and two 128MB sticks, and trust me you'll be all set to go!! Good shooting!
Rating:
Summary: My favorite new toy
Review: I'm not a professional photographer, I don't pretend to be. I also am not as technically knowledgeable as some. What I know is that I can take incredible photo's and I can do so whenever I want. I have shot with other digital camera owners who all grudgingly agree that Sony makes the best one if only for the super long battery life, this alone makes it worth while. The 5X optical zoom is to kill for and the Night vision is unparalleled in a camera at this price. [The price}...might seem like a lot of money but for this camera it is well worth it. Even for a novice this is easy to use and has stunning results. I am told the 717 is pretty much the same.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Functionality
Review: I bought this camera while on cruise in support of Opeation Enduring Freedom. The harshness of sea and salt in the air with the combination of high humidity is detrimental to most electronic devices. This camera actually seemed to work better during these conditions at sea and ashore. I have taken movies (up to 30 min's in length) at night and during day along with pictures. The resolution is magnificent and there is literally no pixelation on the highest setting. The only drawback that I can think of is that the camera doesn't come with a case. Based on the overall ability of this camera, buying the case makes it worthwhile. Night vision is the best I have seen (even military wise). I would reccomend this camera to any and all avid camera users. From beginner to professional...you will find this item will suit your needs!
Rating:
Summary: I bought it for the lens
Review: I spent months trying to decide which 5megapixel camera I was going to buy. I finally decided on the Sony 707 because of the 28-190mm (equivalent)zoom lens by Carl Zeiss. My images are crisp and unbelievably sharp up and down the length of the zoom. Full featured with lots of manual options, I got fantastic shots right out of the box. Although I have shot 35mm film for 25 years, I am giving my 35mm equipment to charity.
| 
