Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Sony has once again raised the bar in the mirrorless camera market with the release of the A6700. As the latest addition to the popular Alpha series, the A6700 offers a compelling mix of performance, portability, and advanced features, making it an excellent choice for both photographers and videographers.
Design and Build Quality
The Sony A6700 maintains the compact and lightweight design that the A6000 series is known for. Weighing in at just around 493 grams, including the battery and memory card, it’s easy to carry around, making it ideal for travel and street photography. The magnesium alloy body feels sturdy and durable, while the ergonomic grip ensures a comfortable hold, even during extended shooting sessions.
The camera features a weather-sealed design, offering protection against dust and moisture, which is a significant advantage for outdoor photographers. The button layout is intuitive, with customizable function buttons that allow quick access to frequently used settings. The inclusion of a dedicated AF/MF switch and a C1 button further enhances usability.
Sensor and Image Quality
At the heart of the Sony A6700 is a 26.1-megapixel APS-C Exmor R CMOS sensor, paired with the latest BIONZ XR image processor. This combination delivers exceptional image quality with excellent detail, dynamic range, and color accuracy. The backside-illuminated sensor performs admirably in low-light conditions, producing clean images with minimal noise even at higher ISO levels.
The camera’s ISO range of 100-32,000 (expandable to 50-102,400) allows for versatility in various lighting situations. The A6700 also excels in autofocus performance, thanks to its 759 phase-detection AF points and 425 contrast-detection points, covering approximately 93% of the frame. The Real-time Eye AF and Real-time Tracking features are incredibly fast and accurate, making it easy to capture sharp images of moving subjects.
Video Capabilities
Videographers will be pleased with the A6700‘s video prowess. The camera can record 4K video at up to 60fps, with full pixel readout and no pixel binning, resulting in high-quality footage with stunning detail. For slow-motion enthusiasts, it also supports 4K recording at 120fps. The inclusion of S-Log3 and HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) profiles provides greater flexibility in post-production, allowing for a more cinematic look.
The A6700 features active electronic image stabilization, which, combined with the camera’s 5-axis in-body stabilization, ensures smooth and steady footage, even when shooting handheld. The camera’s heat management system has been improved, allowing for extended recording times without overheating issues—a significant improvement for content creators.
User Interface and Connectivity
The A6700 comes with a 3.0-inch vari-angle LCD touchscreen with a 1.44 million-dot resolution, which is bright and responsive. The fully articulating screen is perfect for vloggers and content creators, enabling easy framing for selfies and low-angle shots. The 2.36 million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF) offers a clear and detailed view, making it easier to compose shots in bright conditions.
Sony has also improved the camera’s menu system, making it more user-friendly and easier to navigate. The inclusion of a front command dial provides quicker access to settings and improves overall handling.
For connectivity, the A6700 is equipped with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB-C, making it easy to transfer files to your smartphone or control the camera remotely. The USB-C port also supports power delivery, allowing you to charge the camera while shooting—a handy feature for long shoots.
Battery Life and Storage
The A6700 uses the same NP-FZ100 battery as other recent Alpha models, providing a respectable battery life of approximately 570 shots per charge when using the LCD screen, or around 550 shots with the EVF. For video recording, the battery lasts around 120 minutes of continuous 4K recording. While this is decent, carrying an extra battery for longer sessions is advisable.
The camera supports UHS-II SD cards, which ensures fast write speeds, especially important when shooting high-resolution images or 4K video. The single card slot, however, might be a drawback for some professionals who prefer dual card slots for redundancy.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Compact and lightweight design
- Excellent image quality and dynamic range
- Fast and accurate autofocus with Real-time Eye AF
- Impressive 4K video capabilities with full pixel readout
- Effective 5-axis in-body stabilization
- Improved user interface and menu system
- Good battery life and USB-C charging
Cons:
- Single SD card slot
- Limited buffer depth for continuous shooting
- No headphone jack for audio monitoring
- Minor rolling shutter effect in 4K video at 120fps
Final Verdict
The Sony A6700 is a powerful and versatile mirrorless camera that caters to a wide range of users, from enthusiastic hobbyists to professional photographers and videographers. Its combination of high-quality imaging, advanced autofocus, and impressive video capabilities make it a strong contender in the APS-C camera market. Despite a few minor drawbacks, the A6700 offers excellent value for money and is well worth considering for anyone looking to upgrade their camera gear.
