The Sony a6700 retains the somewhat compact design of the a6600, the best APS-C E-mount mirrorless camera ever, but adds some major improvements. Sony flagship…
The Sony a6700 retains the somewhat compact design of the a6600, the best APS-C E-mount mirrorless camera ever, but adds some major improvements.
Sony’s flagship APS-C camera is among the best alternatives for taking great stills and videos on the go. If you need a combination of strength and mobility, this is a solid all-arounder.
Sony a6700 design
The most surprising aspect of the Sony a6700 is its resemblance to the a6600. While most mid-level mirrorless cameras have a central viewfinder aligned with the camera lens, all of Sony’s APS-C E-mount cameras, except the a3000 one-and-done, place it in the corner.
The A6700 follows the trend, with a viewfinder in the top left corner. This body type is well suitable for smaller lenses, and plenty of photographers may like this level of situational awareness of the viewfinder location.
On the other hand, this design is less appropriate for big and heavy telephoto lenses, which are easier to keep steady when operating from the center viewfinder.
An angle viewfinder allows for a more compact overall body. The A6700 has a flat top and is the first in the series to incorporate a front-facing display for self-recorded video and a command dial on the grip for less complicated manual exposure.
The A6700 includes a full magnesium alloy chassis and can handle some of the roughest conditions. Sony does not mention an IP classification but claims dust and moisture protection if you use a sealed lens.
Many of Sony’s APS-C lenses aren’t weather-sealed; therefore, opt for a G (or FE full-frame) series lens in inclement weather.
Photographers with a collection of Sony lenses can purchase the a6700 body alone, but if you haven’t got one you can purchase a package that includes the E PZ 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS or E 18-135mm F3 .5-5.6 OSS.
Pricing and Availability
On July 12, Sony revealed the new Sony A6700 and shotgun microphone. The camera body-only price is $1,400, while the ECM-M1 shotgun microphone is $349.
The A6700 comes with many improvements, including innovative autofocus and better handling. Given current inflation, the price label seems acceptable.
Photo Quality and Performance
The A6700 has unique details; Sony cameras produce some of the most clinically clear photos, and the a6700 is no different.
The colours are accurate yet have depth and vibrancy that help them stand out without being forced. Even in changing weather and lighting conditions, the a6700 produces a precise and consistent white balance across photos.
Since the a6700 now includes the acclaimed Bionz XR and AI Chip, you can expect fast and accurate autofocus.
For static subjects, the a6700 captures the subject at a glance, and you will miss the speed; it is hard to see how conventional point autofocus could grow any faster at this point.
The a6700’s AI recognition and tracking skills for humans and plenty of animals, birds, cars and even insects are its strong points.
Video Quality and Performance
With Sony’s emphasis on video, it is no surprise that the a6700’s quality is stellar. 4K video is amazingly clear, rich and detailed in conventional output.
However, if you are not looking to dive into codecs or LUTs, the a6700’s plain footage is more than enough to get you creative. If you do not want to spend hours editing your movies, this is great to use.
Sony’s image stabilization remains among the best in the business, providing strong stabilization in moderate or steady motion like panning or zooming.
The Sony a6700’s video autofocus is superb. Sony has been at the forefront for some time, and while other companies are near catching up, it is only barely ahead.
Sony tracking is the most reliable. The camera hardly ever insists on detecting people in random still lifes and tracking subjects who turn to enter and exit the frame is very solid.
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AI intelligence can track things quickly, and the sensor produces eye-catching 26MP photos and 4K videos in most settings. The ergonomic grip and abundant direct access features also make it a pleasure to use, despite the modified menu layout.
When shooting handheld video, the five-axis image stabilization is not perfect, and the sensor size introduces noise at higher ISOs.
Overall, the a6700 is a great choice for the hybrid travel photographer or multimedia creator who wants professional functionality in a compact size.
