Nikon D700 vs Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      Nikon D700

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58
      63
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      68
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D700 and the Sony Alpha SLT-A58, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Nikon D700 was introduced in October 2008 and Sony Alpha SLT-A58 was introduced in November 2013. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Nikon D700 Highlights

      • 12.1 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
      • 200 - 6,400 Native ISO
      • 51 Focus Points
      • 3.0" 922k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 5.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58 Highlights

      • 20.1 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 16,000 Native ISO
      • 15 Focus Points (15 Cross-type)
      • Image Stabilization
      • 2.7" 460k dot Tilting Screen
      • 1,440k dot Electronic Viewfinder
      • 8.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Nikon D700
      4. Advantage of Sony Alpha SLT-A58
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Nikon D700 and Sony Alpha SLT-A58.

      PROS

      Nikon D700

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      •   Large Sensor
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Video Capture
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 492 g (1.08 lb / 17.35 oz)

      CONS

      Nikon D700

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      •   No Video Capture
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.1 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   Heavy - 1074 g (2.37 lb / 37.88 oz)
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   3 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Resolution Viewfinder - 1,440k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Nikon D700

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 80
      •   Sensor Resolution - 20.1 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   15 Focus Points
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.7"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 8.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 74
      •   Battery Life - 690 shots

      Advantage of Nikon D700

      Nikon D700
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D700 over Sony Alpha SLT-A58.

      Nikon D700 vs Sony Alpha SLT-A58
      Larger Sensor Full Frame vs APS-C
      Timelapse Recording vs
      More Focus Points 51 vs 15
      Larger Screen 3.0" vs 2.7"
      Higher Resolution Screen 922k dot vs 460k dot
      Top LCD Screen vs
      Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.72x vs 0.65x
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/8000 sec vs 1/4000 sec
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/250 sec vs 1/160 sec
      Average Metering vs
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 2303 vs 753
      Higher DxO Color Depth 23.5 vs 23.3
      Higher DxO Overall Score 80 vs 74
      Environmental Sealing vs
      Longer Battery Life 1000 shots vs 690 shots

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D700.

      Nikon D750
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      Full Frame

      24.3 MP

      Nikon D780
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      Full Frame

      24.5 MP

      Pentax KP
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      APS-C

      24.32 MP

      Nikon Df
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      16.2 MP

      Nikon D800E
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      36.3 MP

      Pentax K-70
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon Z6 II
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      24.5 MP

      Canon 5DS
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Fujifilm X-A1
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      APS-C

      16.3 MP

      Canon 70D
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      APS-C

      20.2 MP

      Leica S2
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      Medium format

      38 MP

      Nikon D800
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      Full Frame

      36.3 MP

      Advantage of Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      Sony SLT-A58
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Alpha SLT-A58 over Nikon D700.

      Nikon D700 vs Sony Alpha SLT-A58
      Video Capture vs
      Higher Sensor Resolution 12.1 Megapixel vs 20.1 Megapixel
      Lower Native ISO 200 vs 100
      Higher Native ISO 6,400 vs 16,000
      Max Image Resolution 4256 x 2832 vs 5456 x 3632
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Face Detection vs
      Image Stabilization vs Sensor Shift
      Screen Type Fixed vs Tilting
      Higher Viewfinder Coverage 95% vs 100%
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 5.0 fps vs 8.0 fps
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 12.2 vs 12.5
      Speaker vs Mono
      Built-in Microphone vs Stereo
      Microphone Input vs
      Lighter 1074 g (2.37 lb / 37.88 oz) vs 492 g (1.08 lb / 17.35 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sony Alpha SLT-A58.

      Sony SLT-A57
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony SLT-A68
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Sony SLT-A37
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony SLT-A55
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      APS-C

      16.2 MP

      Sony SLT-A35
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      APS-C

      16.2 MP

      Sony SLT-A65
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      APS-C

      24.3 MP

      Sony SLT-A77
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      APS-C

      24.3 MP

      Sony SLT-A33
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      APS-C

      14.2 MP

      Sony SLT-A99 II
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      Full Frame

      42.4 MP

      Sony SLT-A77 II
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      APS-C

      24.3 MP

      Sony SLT-A99
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      Full Frame

      24.3 MP

      Sony a9
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      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Nikon D700 Sony Alpha SLT-A58
        Live View Autofocus
        Built-in Flash
        HDMI Output Mini Type C Mini Type C
      WEAKNESSES Nikon D700 Sony Alpha SLT-A58
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi Eye-Fi is possible
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Nikon D700 has a 3.0" Fixed screen with 922k dot resolution and Sony Alpha SLT-A58 has a 2.7" Tilting screen with 460k dot resolution. Tilting screen makes Sony Alpha SLT-A58 very useful for photography purposes but not so useful for video shooting.

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      Sony Alpha SLT-A58 with Tilting screen


      Viewfinder

      Nikon D700 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinderSony Alpha SLT-A58 has a built-in Electronic viewfinder with 1,440k dot resolution. Nikon D700 has 95% coverage with 0.72x magnification and Sony Alpha SLT-A58 has 100% coverage with 0.97x (0.65x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

      Sensor

      Nikon D700 features a 12.1 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 36.0 x 23.9 mm and a total area of 860.4 mm2. Its native ISO range is 200 - 6,400 and expands to 100 - 25,600 in boosted mode. Sony Alpha SLT-A58 features a 20.1 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.2 x 15.4 mm and a total area of 237.2 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 16,000 and expands to 100 - 25,600 in boosted mode.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Nikon D700 is equipped with EXPEED processor and can take pictures up to 4256 x 2832 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3184 x 2120, 2128 x 1416 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Sony Alpha SLT-A58 can take pictures up to 5456 x 3632 resolution.


      Lens Mount

      Nikon D700 has Nikon F lens mount and Sony Alpha SLT-A58 has Sony A lens mount. Due to Full Frame sensor in Nikon D700 its crop factor is equal to 1x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length. Due to APS-C sensor in Sony Alpha SLT-A58 its crop factor is equal to 1.5x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


      In-Body Image Stabilization on Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58 has a built-in Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when camera is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Nikon D700 has a Mini Type C HDMI and Sony Alpha SLT-A58 has a Mini Type C HDMI connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Nikon D700 comes with EN-EL3e battery pack with battery life of 1000 shots and Sony Alpha SLT-A58 comes with NP-FM500H battery pack with battery life of 690 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Nikon D700 has a single CompactFlash (Type I, compliant with UDMA) card slot. Sony Alpha SLT-A58 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Nikon D700 has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D700, and up to 1/4000 sec on Sony Alpha SLT-A58. Nikon D700 can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps. Sony Alpha SLT-A58 can shoot continuously up to 8.0 fps.


      Exposure

      Exposure meterings of Nikon D700 ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Nikon D700. You can also do exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D700 and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Sony Alpha SLT-A58.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 10.00 m (@ ISO 100) on Sony Alpha SLT-A58. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal to Nikon D700 and via Hot Shoe to Sony Alpha SLT-A58. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec on Nikon D700 and 1/160 sec on Sony Alpha SLT-A58.

      Physical Parameters

      Nikon D700 body has dimensions of 147 x 123 x 77 mm (5.79 x 4.84 x 3.03") and Sony Alpha SLT-A58 body has dimensions of 129 x 95 x 78 mm (5.08 x 3.74 x 3.07"). Nikon D700 weighs 1074 g (2.37 lb / 37.88 oz) and Sony Alpha SLT-A58 weighs 492 g (1.08 lb / 17.35 oz).

      Nikon D700

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      147 mm

      123 mm

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      129 mm

      95 mm

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      123 mm

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      95 mm

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      77 mm

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      78 mm

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      Size comparisons of Nikon D700 and Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      Nikon D700 and Sony Alpha SLT-A58 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Nikon D700

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      GOOD
      83
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      70
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Nikon D700

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      71
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   15 Focus Points
      •   3 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Resolution Viewfinder - 1,440k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 8.0 fps
      •   Battery Life - 690 shots

      Wildlife Photography

      Nikon D700

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   15 Focus Points
      •   3 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Resolution Viewfinder - 1,440k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 8.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Battery Life - 690 shots

      Portrait Photography

      Nikon D700

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      GOOD
      76
      •   Large Sensor
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      80
      •   15 Focus Points
      •   3 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.7"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec

      Street Photography

      Nikon D700

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      GOOD
      77
      •   Large Sensor
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1074 g (2.37 lb / 37.88 oz)
      GOOD
      83
      •   15 Focus Points
      •   3 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 492 g (1.08 lb / 17.35 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Nikon D700

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      GOOD
      73
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1074 g (2.37 lb / 37.88 oz)
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots
      GOOD
      81
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 492 g (1.08 lb / 17.35 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 690 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Nikon D700 and Sony Alpha SLT-A58 and give them scores of 63 and 68 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Nikon D700

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      OVERALL
      63
      OVERALL
      68

      Sensor

      Nikon D700

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      GOOD
      71
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.1 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 80
      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Sensor Resolution - 20.1 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 74

      Photo

      Nikon D700

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      GOOD
      70
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      GOOD
      72
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 8.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec

      Video

      Nikon D700

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization
      POOR
      45
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit

      Focusing

      Nikon D700

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      GOOD
      71
      •   51 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      GOOD
      73
      •   15 Focus Points
      •   3 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Nikon D700

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      GOOD
      73
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      GOOD
      70
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.7"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Resolution Viewfinder - 1,440k dot

      Connectivity

      Nikon D700

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      AVERAGE
      57
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      GOOD
      78
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Nikon D700

      Sony Alpha SLT-A58

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1074 g (2.37 lb / 37.88 oz)
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots
      POOR
      45
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 492 g (1.08 lb / 17.35 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 690 shots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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