The Rise of the Sony a6700: A Game-Changing Camera for Photography Enthusiasts in Australia

Sony a6700: A Powerful APS-C Mirrorless Camera for Photography Enthusiasts

Introduction

The Sony a6700 is the latest addition to Sony’s lineup of APS-C mirrorless cameras. Packed with advanced features and improvements over its predecessor, the a6600, the a6700 aims to cater to the needs of photography enthusiasts. With a compact body style, improved AI-powered focus system, and high-quality video capabilities, the a6700 certainly has a lot to offer. However, it faces tough competition from other cameras in its segment, such as the Canon EOS R7. In this review, we will explore the pros and cons of the Sony a6700 and discuss how it compares to its rivals.

Compact Body Design

One of the standout features of the a6700 is its compact body design. Similar to its predecessor, the a6600, the a6700 maintains a rangefinder-style body with a corner viewfinder position. While this design works well with smaller lenses and offers great situational awareness, it may not be ideal for those using big, heavy telephoto lenses. However, the compact size of the a6700 makes it more portable and easier to fit into smaller camera bags compared to its competitors.

Improved Ergonomics and Controls

The a6700 brings some ergonomic improvements over its predecessor. It features a front-facing display for video recording and a command dial in the grip for easier manual exposure. The slightly oversized grip enhances handling with both bigger and smaller lenses. The top plate of the camera has a clean layout with just two buttons, Record and C2, while the rear controls include two rear dials and several customizable buttons. However, the lack of a focus joystick is a limitation, and users will have to rely on the rear d-pad or touch-sensitive LCD to set the focus point.

AI-Aided Focus System

One of the key upgrades in the a6700 is the AI-powered focus system, which is borrowed from Sony’s high-end a7R V camera. The focus system utilizes subject recognition technology, offering several subject modes to choose from, including animals, birds, cars, and people. This advanced system allows the camera to lock onto faces and eyes accurately, making it ideal for portrait photography or capturing fast-moving subjects. However, the absence of a focus joystick may be a drawback for photographers dealing with demanding subjects like team sports and wildlife.

Image Quality and Stabilization

The a6700 is equipped with a 26MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor, providing excellent image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The camera supports various image formats, including JPEG, HEIF, Compressed Raw, and Lossless Compressed Raw, giving photographers flexibility in post-processing. The in-body image stabilization (IBIS) system ensures sharper handheld shots, particularly when using wider lenses. However, for telephoto scenes, additional support from a monopod or tripod is recommended.

Video Capabilities

The a6700 is a significant upgrade in terms of video capabilities compared to its predecessor. It can record 4K video at up to 60 frames per second with 10-bit color, and it uses nearly the full width of the sensor for improved video quality. The camera supports various color profiles, including S-Cinetone for a filmic look and S-Log3 for advanced color grading. Additionally, the a6700 offers in-camera time-lapse and slow-motion recording up to 120 frames per second. However, it should be noted that the camera may experience overheating issues during lengthy 4K video recording.

Battery Life and Connectivity

The a6700 is powered by the high-capacity Z series battery, which offers excellent performance and longevity. However, it is still advisable to carry a spare battery or a power bank for longer sessions. In terms of connectivity, the camera features Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB-C, micro HDMI, and headphone and microphone inputs. It also has a single SDXC card slot, which might be a limitation for professional photographers requiring redundancy with dual-slot recording.

Conclusion: Sony a6700 – A Powerful Tool with Some Limitations

The Sony a6700 is undeniably a powerful APS-C mirrorless camera with several notable improvements over its predecessor. Its compact body design, improved AI-assisted focus system, and high-quality video capabilities make it an attractive choice for photography enthusiasts. However, the a6700 does have some limitations, including the absence of a focus joystick, an outdated electronic viewfinder, and the potential for overheating during prolonged video recording. These limitations, combined with tough competition from cameras like the Canon EOS R7, make it difficult for the a6700 to surpass other options in its segment.

For photographers already invested in the Sony ecosystem and looking for a compact and versatile camera, the a6700 is certainly a worthy upgrade. However, for those seeking a more well-rounded and better-handling camera, options like the Canon EOS R7 or the Fuji X-T5 may offer a more satisfying experience.

Overall, the Sony a6700 remains a capable tool for photography enthusiasts, offering advanced features and improvements while continuing to benefit from Sony’s extensive range of lenses. However, potential buyers should carefully consider their specific requirements and compare the a6700 with rival cameras to make an informed decision.