Sony’s anticipated new APS-C flagship model, the a6700, has just been announced, featuring a slightly larger body than the Aa6600 it replaces and a 26-megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor.


Angled view of the new Sony a6700 camera with the Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS kit lens. (Source: Sony.)

The new model features a vari-angle LCD monitor but only has a single SD card slot but it also includes the new BIONZ XR processor, giving it similar capabilities to the FX30 Digital Cinema Camera. The camera’s pixel-level 5-axis optical image stabilisation system is algorithmically optimized for precision detection and control down to a single pixel. Improved communication between the body and the lens provides more stable framing before shooting. For stills-shooters, the a6700 introduces the High Efficiency Image File (HEIF) format with a choice between 4:2:0 and 4:2:2 options. Users can also choose between Compressed and Lossless Compressed options when shooting raw files. The same Creative Looks presets are available in video and when shooting stills, along with user-defined configurations with eight adjustable parameters.

The new camera’s body design has been improved with a larger grip moulding with a front command dial that provides an added level of control and speed. The USB output supports UVC/UAC control via a computer for streaming applications and broadcasts with 4K video at 15 or 30 fps or full HD at 30 or 60 fps. Built-in 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi allows communication on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands to support multiple sharing options. The XGA Tru-Finder 2.36m-dot OLED electronic viewfinder offers a bright, high-resolution, 1.07x magnification means for eye-level monitoring and sports and a dedicated 120 fps mode for smoother viewing when tracking moving subjects.

The a6700 also features AI-enabled autofocusing that uses 759 phase detection points in stills mode and 495 points in video mode, covering 93% of the image area to improve focusing precision. AI-powered subject recognition is supported as well as focus bracketing across up to 299 images with sequentially-shifted focus points. In addition, the AI processing unit can recognise and track subjects when recording video, seamlessly auto-cropping the frame to keep the main subject in position. This tracking can be custom located within the frame and adjusted for speed and sensitivity

Other video capabilities of the new camera are as follows:

  • Full pixel readout from the 6K sensor creates high-quality UHD 4K video, with approximately 2.4x the data required for 4K video, minimizing moiré and aliasing.
  • UHD 4K recording is possible with frame rates up to 120p and full HD recording up to 240p, using full 1:1 pixel readout without binning.
  • Users can record in 10-bit 4:2:2 using advanced XAVC HS and XAVC S-I formats for consistent performance and quality at bitrates up to 600 Mb/s.
  • More than two hours of recording time is available in 4K 30p, or more than 40 minutes at 4K 60p on a 128GB card.
  • Slow & Quick (S&Q) mode allows shooters to capture 4K video at specified steps between 1-120 fps and Full HD between 1-240 fps, depending on the format. These settings will allow you to slow down action as well as speed up a slow-moving scene.
  • S-Cinetone can be used to deliver distinct colors and healthy-looking skin tone rendering that is based on technology from the professional Cinema Line cameras, such as the VENICE. This color profile offers natural mid-tones, soft colors, and especially well-controlled highlights.
  • The S-Log3 and S-Gamut3.Cine Gamma Curves allow for more than 14 stops of dynamic range and for increased post-production flexibility, including matching video from other Sony Cinema Line cameras.
  • Creative Looks can be baked into the recorded footage to create a specific mood during recording and minimize the need for editing.
  • User-created LUTs and presets can be set for accurately monitoring footage or previewing a specific look during shooting and can be applied to the camera’s monitor, EVF, or HDMI output.
  • The camera supports instant time-lapse settings with frame rate, recording, light, and interval customisation.
  • Integrated 3.5mm headphone and microphone ports afford greater control over audio during video recording. The Multi-Interface Shoe also functions as a digital audio interface.

The Alpha 6700 is available to pre-order at an RRP of AU$2499. Click here for more information.