Last week, Sony announced its latest APS-C mirrorless camera, the Sony Alpha a6700, the company’s latest “enthusiast-level APS-C” camera. With the new a6700, it looks like Sony took some of the best features on the a6600, FX-30, and perhaps even from the full-frame A7 series. The a6700 features a 26MP BSI CMOS sensor with image stabilization; Bionz XR processor, and dedicated AI processing engine; 759 AF points; 11 fps shooting; 4K 60p (6k capture) or 4K 120p (crop); 10-bit video; streaming capability; video profiles and many more. I’m very excited and think the a6700 will be a worthy upgrade from the a6400. The Sony a6700 body retails for $1,399, and you can (pre) order one from Amazon.com here. You can check out the official news release below for more details.
Sony Alpha a6700 Next-generation APS-C Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera Released
Sony Electronics announces the release of its newest APS-C mirrorless camera, the α6700. This new offering combines the cutting-edge still image and video capabilities found in the latest full-frame Alpha™ and Cinema Line series with the compact and lightweight design of the α6000 series, resulting in Sony’s most advanced APS-C mirrorless camera to date.
Combining an APS-C back-illuminated Exmor R® CMOS image sensor boasting 26 effective megapixels with the speed and power of Sony’s advanced BIONZ XR® processing engine, the α6700 achieves exceptional imaging performance while maintaining a compact and lightweight design.
The camera supports high-resolution 4K video recording at up to 120fps, a wide latitude of 14+ stops for capturing details in harsh or under-lit conditions and features the S-Cinetone™ picture profile found in Sony’s professional Cinema Line for refined movie imagery that doesn’t require color grading, and it delivers stunning representation of human skin tones. For videographers and vloggers, Sony simultaneously releases the ECM-M1 shotgun microphone, capable of high-quality sound with eight sound pickup modes including stereo.
Yang Cheng, Vice President, Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc.:
“With the release of the α6700, Sony continues its commitment to elevate the abilities of creators everywhere and at every level by empowering them with state-of-the-art tools that enable their creativity to relentlessly move forward. Sony will continue to expand its APS-C line-up to cater to and support image production activities of a diverse array of creators,”.
Highly accurate subject recognition with AI
The latest APS-C size, back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS image sensor boasts approximately 26 effective megapixels, paired with our advanced BIONZ XR engine for exceptional imaging performance. Standard ISO sensitivity spans 100 to 32000 for both stills and movies, allowing high-sensitivity, low-noise shooting. Enhanced color reproduction ensures subjects like people and plants are captured with natural hues, while Creative Look features allow unique visual expressions.
The AI processing unit is inherited from the α7R V, enabling high accuracy “Real-Time Recognition AF (autofocus).” Beyond the α6000 series’ human and animal recognition, it now accurately identifies various subjects such as human, animal, bird, insect, car/train, and airplane, catering to diverse creative expressions. When paired with today’s newly launched FE 70-200MM F4 Macro G OSS II, it offers 105 mm to 300 mm focal lengths in 35mm full-frame equivalent, leveraging the power of telephoto zoom for high-quality shooting. Additionally, it’s compatible with a broad array of E-mount lenses, and Sony’s E-mount lenses covering full-frame and Cinema Line cameras with a single mount.
Excellent video performance compatible with 4K120pi
Harnessing data equivalent to 6K, the α6700 outputs superior 4K video, including support for high-frame-rate recording at 4K 120fps. It features S-Log3, offering a latitudes of 14+ stops, for stellar gradation. Also equipped with S-Cinetone, the α6700 offers impressive skin tone depiction and subject highlighting, technologies honed through our Cinema Line development, while its AI-driven Auto-Framing smoothly tracks subjects, eliminating the need for manual camera movement. The body houses a Multi-Interface (MI) Shoe compatible with digital audio interfaces. Used in conjunction with the new ECM-M1 shotgun microphone, it allows for direct digital audio transmission, capturing high-quality, undegraded sound.
Mobility, operability, and connectivity unique to a compact and lightweight device
With a compact design (approx. 4 7/8 × 2 3/4 × 3 in. and weighing about 1 lb 1.4 oz.), the α6700 is highly portable. It has a user-friendly, touch-operable vari-angle LCD monitor, coupled with a modern touch menu for effortless operation. Customizable front dial and a switching dial for still images, movies, and S&Q modes are also featured. It is also equipped with optical 5-axis in-body image stabilization system with 5.0 stops of shutter speed advantage for stills and an Active Mode ensures stable footage.
In terms of connectivity, the camera now supports the Creators’ App for seamless uploads of videos and still images to cloud services. Sony also plans to roll out a new version of the “Camera Remote SDK” in July 2023, allowing remote operation and setting adjustments.
Environmental conscious and accessibility
Recycled materials, including SORPLASTM, are used throughout the camera body, reducing environmental impact without sacrificing functionality. Over the past 10 years, Sony has replaced approximately 379 tons of virgin plastic with recycled plastic in digital cameras and digital video cameras.
In addition, it is equipped with Sony’s Screen Reader function that reads menus and video playback screens aloud to assist operations, supporting the creative activities of a wide variety of creators.
Pricing and Availability
The Sony a6700 comes with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1,399 for the body only. It’s also available with a 16-50mm or 18-135mm kit lens, with an MSRP of $1,499.99 and $1,799.99, respectively. Pre-orders have already started with a release date of August 3, 2023. You can (pre) order now via one of the links below.
Check the latest pricing and availability: (#ad)
Sony a6700 (body only) is available on Amazon.com here.
Sony a6700 w/ 16-50mm lens is available on Amazon.com here.
Sony a6700 w/ 18-135mm lens is available on Amazon.com here.
Sony a6700 Specifications
| Specifications | Sony Alpha a6700 |
|---|---|
| Lens Mount | Sony E |
| Processor | BIONZ XR |
| Image Sensor | 26MP APS-C Exmor R BSI CMOS |
| Sensor Resolution | 26 Megapixel (6192 x 4128) |
| Sensor Size | 23 x 15.5 mm |
| ISO | 100-32000 (expandable 50-102400) |
| Autofocus System | Hybrid AF, 759 phase detection points |
| Eye Autofocus | Real-time Eye AF (Humans & Animals) |
| In-Body Stabilization (IBIS) | Sensor-Shift, 5-Axis |
| Viewfinder | 0.39″ Built-In Electronic (OLED), 2.36M dots |
| LCD Monitor | 3-inch Fully articulated Touchscreen LCD (1.036M dots) |
| LCD Tilt Range | Fully articulating |
| Continuous Shooting | Up to 11 fps |
| Shutter Speed | 1/4000 to 30 Sec (mechanical) 1/8000 to 30 Sec (electronic) |
| Video Capabilities | up to 4K @ 120p, 1080p @ 240p / 10-Bit 4:2:2 via HDMI S-Log3, S-Gamut3, S-Cinetone, User LUTs |
| Image Format | HEIF, JPEG, Raw (14-Bit) |
| Video Format | XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-I, H.264, H.265 |
| Battery Type | NP-FZ100 |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | Approx. 550 shots (Viewfinder) / approx. 570 shots (LCD monitor) |
| Video Battery Life (CIPA) | 95 min (Viewfinder) or approx. 100 min (LCD monitor), 190 min (continuous) |
| Dimensions | 122 x 69 x 75.1 mm 4.8 x 2.7 x 3″ |
| Weight (Body / w. Battery) | Approx. 409g / 493g |
| Chassis | Magnesium Alloy |
| Wi-Fi | Yes, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz and 5GHz) |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 4.2 |
| USB Charging | Yes (USB Type-C) |
| Storage Slot, Type | 1x, SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II) |
| Price (Approx.) | $1,398 |
