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Sony A6700 Review With A6600 Comparison

As Sony unveils the highly anticipated release of a new flagship A 6000 series APS-C mirrorless camera, we provide a comprehensive Sony A6700 review, which highlights key new features and technology. Discover how some of the exciting upgrades in this generation hybrid Sony A6700 camera can help your content creation, and find out the key differences between models in our A6700 vs A6600 specs comparison.

Watch Gareth's hands-on video review.

We’ll help you help determine if this is the perfect hybrid option to meet your creative needs as we explore the latest innovations, which this portable Sony mirrorless camera brings. So let’s get on and discover how it may elevate your photography and video content.

When did it come out?

On July 12, 2023, the flagship APS-C format camera launched,  marking a significant upgrade from its predecessor the A6600, which was released back in September 2019.

In the span of those few years, the technology landscape has transformed, with the widespread integration of AI, the advent of faster processors, and increased availability of faster backside-illuminated (BSI) sensors.

All of these technologies have been adopted in the body, having been adapted from professional Sony cameras across mirrorless and pro video ranges. This provides users with a compact-sized APS-C format option, which is small enough to bring on all your adventures, yet still packs a punch.

How much does it cost?

At launch it costs £1,450.00, while the previous generation is priced at £1,249.00. The newer body includes plenty of professional features, yet compares favourably with pro bodies, with the a7R V priced at £3,999.00, the FX30 video camera at £2,099.00 and others.

With anextensive array of upgrades and competitive price point, it presents an enticing proposition to newcomers and existing users.

A lens kit launched alongside the body, which are aimed at creators who may be new to the system and want access to a versatile zoom from day one:

• A6700 with 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 Zoom Lens Kit (£1,800.00)

What are the new features?

The technology concealed under the hood represents some of the most notable upgrades and include a 26 megapixel backside-illuminated APS-C Exmor R sensor, which is the highest APS-C resolution from the brand at launch. A BIONZ XR processor with up to 8x processing power and a dedicated AI autofocus processor are included.

Between these three components you can expect significant improvements to speed and responsiveness, improved stills and video image quality and far better AF performance. On top of these a host of new features are added to make your content creation easier, and with better results.

Sample image showing high-speed AF with running  dog - with FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS II @135mm. Settings: 1/1000 sec. f/4.0. ISO 2000

Autofocus improvements

Following the successful implementation of similar hardware in the Sony A7R V, the A6700 employs an additional dedicated AF processor, which uses AI to identify and track subjects. This recognises a greater variety of subjects more accurately, and gain a refined understanding of human poses.

For the first time in an A6000 series-camera you can lock onto airplanes, with deeper subject recognition for Humans, Animals and Birds, Insects and Cars / Trains as highlighted below.

Realtime tracking is incredibly ‘sticky’ and follows your subject tenaciously as it moves around the frame, even when they look away from camera. When combined with the new user interface you can quickly change tracking between multiple subjects, while also benefiting from more reliable AE with improved skin tones, even in backlit situations.

Tracking can be extensively fine-tuned, with user-selectable resistance, sensitivity, priority and more, all with wider sensor coverage of up to 93% for stills, as well as being more accurate in low light (-3 EV).

A significant focusing benefit is the addition of full-time DMF in both AF-C and AF-S, enabling you to manually override AF instantly if required. This is useful when photographing a bird, which goes behind foliage for example. Simply turn the lens focus ring to roughly gain focus and press the shutter half down and it re-acquires AF on the subject.

Video capabilities

With a new higher resolution fast readout BSI sensor and faster processing the body is capable of recording in-camera 4K at 60p and 120p as well as Full HD in 240fps. There are a range of compression formats as well as Logs and colour encoding to suit every production and skill level.

Numerous features are available to help raise your movie production values, including Eye AF during Clear Image Zoom and Auto-framing, based on subject recognition. Metadata can be used for more efficient workflows with image stabilisation, breathing compensation and shot marking.

Other video tools include timelapse, AF assist, focus mapping, peaking, wind noise reduction and more. You can also add an external video microphone for more professional audio quality, including the brand new Sony ECM-M1 Shotgun Microphone, which was released simultaneously.

These comprehensive updates to video performance cement this as a thoroughbred hybrid, which captures flagship quality movies in a versatile range of formats.

Great AF, resolution and AE - sample with FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS II @200mm. Settings: 1/160 sec. f/4.0. ISO 640

How user-friendly is it?

Whether you’re new to the lineup or a seasoned user it is instantly gratifying and easy to operate after some experimentation with settings. A high magnification XGA OLED viewfinder is crystal clear and offers brightness not far off the A7R V’s incredible EVF.

The 3-inch vari-angle LCD monitor provides touch control over a new menu layout, while the grip is enhanced with deeper purchase for longer and heavier lenses. Navigating overall is far easier, with a new UI providing a more familiar phone-type experience, with swiping and zooming.

New body controls and a programmable dial offers extensive customisation with quick access to your most frequently used settings, enabling a seamless workflow for those who want to delve deeper. Menu icons can be controlled directly from the LCD and you can swipe-away settings while recording movies for a cleaner preview.

Specs comparison

The table below compares key specifications between thethe two generations.

Huge variety of compact lenses

One of the benefits of joining the ecosystem is the availability of compact and portable Sony mirrorless lenses, with lots of native prime and zoom options. There are also many more from third party manufacturers such as Sigma and Samyang.

Macro type image of a bee, highlighting the 0.5x magnification - sample with FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS II @174mm. Settings: 1/400 sec. f/4.0. ISO 500

Who is this for?

While the cost is not to be sniffed at, it represents excellent value when you take into account the technology it provides. It’s particularly suited to enthusiast and professional users who prefer the smaller APS-C form factor, along with extended reach.

A crop sensor model of this calibre is especially suitable for subjects which benefit from a tighter focal width such as:

• Wildlife
• Birds
• Sports and action
• Aviation
• Macro and close-ups
• Events and performance (concerts, dance etc)

There’s every reason to capture portraits, weddings and any other subject-type photography and videography too, where you’ll enjoy portability and weight savings over full-frame, albeit without the same wide sensor coverage and shallow depth of field.ideo review

Sony has done an amazing job upgrading this model, which offers enhancements across the board for both stills and video. Users gain more control over image formats, compression rates and colours are more accurate than previous generations. AF has been significantly upgraded to be more accurate, intelligent and quicker than ever.

Video upgrades are equally impressive, with technology ported from pro video bodies  so you ca capture beautiful 4K thanks to faster processing and readout speeds from the new sensor.

If you love a smaller form factor, along with extended reach this is an excellent option to help take your content to the next level, whether you customise every setting, or shoot straight out of the box.

Reserve the Sony A6700 mirrorless camera body today to make the most of incredible new capabilities for stills and video, or choose between two versatile zoom lens kits – the A6700 with 16-50mm Zoom Lens Kit or the A6700 with 18-135mm Zoom Lens.

Don’t forget to grab a free trade-in quote in order to offset the cost by selling any unwanted gear, which is collecting dust in the back of the closet.

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By Nick Dautlich on 12/07/2023

Nick Dautlich

Senior Content Writer and Product Reviewer

Nick Dautlich is the Senior Content Writer and Product Reviewer at Park Cameras, with over 15 years of photography experience. A Sony Imaging Professional and expert reviewer, Nick has worked with major brands such as Canon, Sony and Nikon. His work is also featured on Vanguard World UK’s website, Capture Landscapes, and Shutter Evolve. Nick’s photography includes National Trust projects and magazine covers and he is passionate about landscapes and storytelling. Nick also enjoys hiking and teaching his children about nature. Learn more on his profile page.