Yes, faster and more accurate autofocus (which would really come in handy for the indoor sports), higher usable ISO speeds (again, much better for indoor sports), better viewfinder (easier to frame moving subjects for sports), and much more..
For your desired use, if budget permits, I'd go with the A700.JimChttp://www.pbase.com/jcockfield..
What are the reasons for limiting your choices to Sony only? e.g. Pentax also makes DSLRs with I.S., so does Olympus..
Anyway, I would have chosen K10D followed by SonyA100 (terrific value), and invested the balance in good tele-zoom..
DMom3 wrote:.
I think I have finally narrowed my decision for upgrading to DSLR toa Sony product. I like the IS feature. For all of you experiencedphotogs out there, what is the reason to choose the a700 over thea100? Besides pricing, of course. My needs for a camera are sportsphotography (including hockey rink, gym, and outside) and familypictures. I am a beginner. I've done the side by side comparison onthis website and still can't decide.
Thanks in advance for all your help..
Best Wishes, Ajayhttp://picasaweb.google.com/ajay0612..
A700 has weather seal, faster and more accurate autofocus, shutter is rated for 100,000 actions, ISO up to 6400. These are all important features for person who will shot sports..
As with any other camera don't forget that good lens is at least 50% important to get great shot. Use dyxum website to learn more about Sony or Minolta (AF, Maxxum, Dynax) lenses to select..
Pentax is very good camera too, it's your call.http://www.stan-pustylnik.smugmug.com..
I would go with the A700. I'm about to trade in my A100 for the A700 for the faster autofocus..
I included my personal file for each camera. They provide you access to the documentation and customer service links for the one you decide to buy..
Http://personafile.com/...Megapixel-18-70mm-Lens-DSLR-A100K-P027242000036.htm.
Http://personafile.com/SONY-alpha-Digital-SLR-Camera%7c-a-(alpha)-SLR-12.24-Megapixel-Camera-Body-DSLR-A700-P027242000258.htm.
A Few Of My Favorite:http://personafile.com/kcair/public..
The A700 is the obvoius choice due to the ability to get clean results at higher ISO and for vastly better AF performance (I use a Minolta 7D and tried out the A700 and can't believe it's so much better, even after using excellent Minolta cameras like the 7 & 9 film cameras)..
The problem is $600 versus $1400 ! When you get a "good" picture from each camera, you won't see much (if any) difference ... you're just more likely to get more "good" shots from the A700 with sports & family (thinking kids in motion)..
I haven't upgraded to the A700 yet ... it's a lot of money (I also have an L bracket for my 7D and if I want to replace that, it's another $140 ... and the manual focus screen in my 7D ... probably $60+ to get that in a new A700 as well). And my 7D is doing the job (I shoot kids a lot - would likely get more keepers with the A700, but am not feeling let down enough by the 7D to spend that money yet)..
- DennisGallery at http://kingofthebeasts.smugmug.com..
P.s. Head over the the Sony SLR talk forum or Dyxum if you just want to talk Sony pros & cons without having to answer to your decision to go Sony Gallery at http://kingofthebeasts.smugmug.com..