These are available at Sony Style Outlet Stores and Sony Style Stores, but more people are having success at the Sony Style Outlet.
Often, they will suggest buying a 3 year warranty with accidental damage coverage for an extra $100. I HIGHLY SUGGEST DOING THIS!!! $100 for 3 years is a great deal, as even if you break it, they will repair it 100% free of charge (no charge for shipping or anything). With fine tuned machines like DSLR's, there are often problems (front focus, back focus) and the 3 year warranty will help you a lot. Plus, with a $1,200 camera (MSRP on the awesome a700), you will feel much more comfortable using it to its fullest (I have a 4 year accidental damage coverage on mine).
After speaking with many Sony employees, I have discovered a few things: -They work on commissions for the warranties, so that is why they offer them to you (NOTE: You may have to say you heard about some manager's special where you buy a 2 year warranty with it and get $100 off, but YMMV) -These models were almost all ones with no problems (many stores offer a 30 day money back testing period, where nothing went wrong with the cameras, people didn't like it, or what often happened is people needed to "rent" a camera and this is a free way to do it- unethical, yes, but it was done), and many were displays that were handled by serious photographers (not little kids at target sticking their fingers inside the camera)
You may ask, why not get it from some of the reliable online retailers for $850ish new? Well, you can't get an accidental damage coverage warranty, which is very important (and a great value).
If anything goes wrong with your camera at all (even a scratch on the LCD screen) you can have it repaired for free, then sell it on eBay as a refurb and make more than $100 more than a used version would fetch.
I can't stress how important the accidental damage coverage is.
I have the camera with the warranty, and it is fantastic. This is Comparable to the Nikon D300 and the Canon 40d/50d. It shares a sensor with the D300 (the Nikon's actually use the Sensor made by Sony, Sony doesn't use the Nikon made sensor).
The camera handles beautifully and is used by many pro photographers.
Although this camera only retailed for $1,200, it was voted equal or better in many reviews to the much more expensive Nikon D300. With the V4 Firmware, the a700 is magical. A benefit to buying the refurb is that it often comes pre-installed with V4 firmware.
As it is B&M, YMMV. Good luck getting this great camera, I know I love mine, and I don't know of one person who has it that doesn't love it.
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Sony is a great brand for DSLRs, the a700 has every feature (except live view and video- which many people do not want) that you would need and it is cheaper than the other brands, built well, and produces great IQ.
Thanks for your useful input. Please post a deal for a Canon 40d or 50d for this price if you would like to offer up that piece of advice. Link?
You can, but you will not get anywhere near as nice of a camera as the a700. It was compared to the Nikon D300 and Canon 40D by many photo magazines, and it ranked better, and it was cheaper than the D300 (a700=$1,200, Nikon D300=$1,600)
The cameras in this price range are the Rebel XTi, XT, XSi, etc. Not even close to the same or even similar cameras.
It's like buying a Porsche Boxter (XTi range- low end of a nice product) vs. a 911 GT2 (a700- top of the line of a nice product).
yankeefan2525 said:rwpharmd said:Skip this and get a Canon!
I knew there were going to be replies like this.
I own an a700 and I love it. It is an excellent camera with many pro level features. Pair it up with some of that great Minolta glass and you will be happy!
I guess part of the ownership experience is every one asking "Why didn't you buy a Canikon?
If I had that kind of money right now (well, I do, but it's already being spent elsewhere!), I'd grab one of these as a 2nd body to my current A700. With that cheap warranty, that's awesome. Fantastic camera. Rumor has Sony releasing several new cameras in the near future, including a possible successor to the A700 (and possibly a junior to the A900 but still full frame).
DaytonDealer said:If I had that kind of money right now (well, I do, but it's already being spent elsewhere!), I'd grab one of these as a 2nd body to my current A700. With that cheap warranty, that's awesome. Fantastic camera. Rumor has Sony releasing several new cameras in the near future, including a possible successor to the A700 (and possibly a junior to the A900 but still full frame).
Yeah, there are so many rumors.
All of it is basically speculation (although the a850 is very nice looking!) and it will be a while before they come out.
Until Sony releases the features and price and pictures in an actual release, then I'm not waiting on anything.
The a700 has everything you need (it's the best APS-C DSLR in Sony's line, and better than the Canikons comparable APS-C DSLRs). If I want FF, I'd get the a900 but I have no desire for FF at all (yet).
I'm glad to see some other people were willing to chip their thoughts in. I was expecting a lot more Sony bashing and a lot less praise.
If you are buying your first DSLR (or are switching without a huge lens lineup from another brand already), go with Sony. They are cheaper, and just as good as Canon and Nikon. Plus, customer support is better (almost no waiting on the phone, and free shipping on warranty repairs, unlike Nikon), and there is a huge group dedicated to the alpha line on Flickr, and an entire website (dyxum.com) dedicated to all alpha lenses, flashes, bodies, etc., with a great forum with tons of info. Sony is a major brand now, whether Canon and Nikon like it or not.
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