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Brand-New Sony a6700: Compact and Capable

by Keenan Hursh
It would seem that no matter how hard you may try to achieve the best of both worlds in any given scenario you almost always have to make sacrifices. That it is far more common to end up settling for some sort of middle ground that pulls you away from either end of the spectrum. This is commonplace in all aspects of life.

Let’s say you want to buy a new car and you want something that has incredible off-road capabilities, can drive like an f-1 racecar, and can comfortably seat 20 passengers. There simply isn’t a car out there that can achieve all of these. There are vehicles that might check one or two boxes but ultimately you have to make sacrifices.

When it comes to all different types of technology, and cameras more specifically, this is almost always the case. You can purchase a super high-performance camera that has 60 megapixels and shoots 8k video, but it’ll be relatively large, heavy, and come at a very high price point. On the other end, you can purchase a much smaller and lighter camera at a very affordable price point, but you’ll likely sacrifice many top-of-the-line features and capabilities.

But every now and then, a manufacturer will release a camera that somehow seems to check more boxes than most. Something that is not only a jack of all trades, but also a master of many. Every now and then, a product comes out that seems to defy these laws of logic and economics. And the brand-new Sony a6700 is, in my mind, one of these products.

This very small, compact, and relatively affordable camera is incredibly capable, and I’m pretty blown away by what it can achieve. This line of small crop-sensor cameras with interchangeable lenses from Sony has been immensely popular ever since the release of the original a6000 and the new flagship a6700 is no exception.

So, let’s break it down and take a look at exactly what makes the a6700 such an outlier. Let’s see what this little machine is capable of.


Overview of the Sony a6700

Key Specifications:
  • Price: $1,400 USD
  • 26MP Exmor R APS-C BSI CMOS Sensor
  • BIONZ XR Image Processor
  • UHD 4K 120p / FHD 240p / 10-Bit 4:2:2
  • Up to 11-fps Shooting, ISO 100-32000
  • 5-Axis Pixel-Level Image Stabilization
  • Real-Time Tracking AF
  • 759-Point Phase Detection, 93% Coverage

The brand-new Sony a6700 is an incredibly capable mirrorless camera that can capture stunning still images and gorgeous high-resolution video all in a very compact and lightweight form factor and at an incredibly reasonable price point. This little camera incorporates many of the most popular and impressive features and technology included in some of Sony’s top-tier full-frame mirrorless cameras.

If you want a small and lightweight camera that’s great for traveling and carrying long distances, then the a6700 is a great option. If you want a camera that can interchange high-quality Sony lenses, then the a6700 is a great option. And if you want a camera that can capture high-resolution images and video with stunning clarity and detail, then once again, you won’t be disappointed with the a6700. I think you get the point that this new camera from Sony checks a lot of impressive boxes and that its eagerly anticipated arrival is justified. 

Let’s pull this thing apart and take a look at the nitty-gritty details that make the Sony a6700 such an intriguing and impressive machine.


Build and Handling 

We’ll start with the build and handling and discuss the camera’s overall form factor. The most noticeable thing off the bat is the impressively small and compact design. At just under 5 inches wide and just under 3 inches tall this thing is incredibly small for a camera without a fixed lens. The small design makes the a6700 very easy to handle and you’ll be able to reach all the buttons, switches, and dials without issue.

And not only is it small, but it’s also lightweight. At 493 grams it’s even lighter than its predecessor the a6600 (503g) and stacks up very well when compared to competitor models that fall into the same general category. The a6700 is a great camera for anyone traveling or carrying their gear long distances. You’ll be able to shoot handheld all day long without significant strain.

And beyond the very impressive size and weight, there are some other eye-catching features as well. One of the most noteworthy is the addition of a front command dial that allows users to easily control and change camera settings with their index finger. The a6700 also features a USB output function as well as integrated 3.5mm headphone and microphone ports for greater control over video and audio recording. And with built-in WIFI communication, you can wirelessly transfer your images and videos to a computer or phone. And finally, the a6700 is built with a robust magnesium alloy body that incorporates dust and moisture seals providing protection from the elements.

This thing may be small, but it's mighty and will get the job done in all sorts of conditions and environments. With a higher level of control and impressive durability, the a6700 is built to last. 


Performance

Let’s break it down even further and look at the overall performance and capabilities of this camera. This is where things really get impressive considering this is a tiny and lightweight crop-sensor body.

One of the first things that stand out to me is the wildly impressive video specifications of the a6700. This camera has pulled a ton of impressive features from much more expensive full-frame cameras in the Sony Alpha line. This camera can record in UHD 4K at up to 120 frames per second and in full HD you can achieve up to 240 frames per second which is just nuts. The a6700 can record for more than 2 hours continuously in 4K 30p and for upwards of 40 minutes at 4K 60p which is quite impressive for a small camera. And this thing records in 10-bit 4:2:2 providing excellent image quality and color. If you want excellent video capabilities in a small package at a great price, then check out the a6700!

And the a6700 can capture stunning still images as well. It may not house a large full-frame sensor but regardless the still very impressive APS-C sensor inside this camera contains 26 megapixels providing great resolution and detail while outperforming the 24MP sensor in the previous generation a6600. And this camera features the BIONZ XR processor that is both powerful and fast enabling impressive video recording capabilities as well as burst modes of up to 11 frames per second containing up to 59 compressed RAW images in one burst. Additionally, the back-illuminated sensor allows for a higher resolution without sacrificing sensitivity. The a6700 works great in low-light situations with an ISO range of 100-3,200 that’s expandable to a staggering 102,400 when capturing stills. On top of all that, the a6700 has a native dynamic range of more than 14 stops. This camera really does seem to do it all!

And, to make it even better, the a6700 has inherited very powerful AI-assisted autofocus and image stabilization from much more expensive cameras in the Alpha series. With AI-assisted phase detection AF featuring 759 points in stills mode and 495 points in video mode and covering 93% of the image area, you won’t miss a beat. This camera can easily detect and track subjects no matter how fast their moving keeping your images and videos tack sharp and in focus. And with great internal 5-axis image stabilization you’ll be able to shoot at slower shutter speeds in low-light conditions while maintaining sharpness and detail.

Overall, this camera is incredibly capable, and houses features and specs that you’d likely see on a much more expensive full-frame camera. When it comes to capturing both photos and videos the a6700 is very impressive, and I really can’t complain about much at all.


Conclusion 

The brand-new Sony a6700 is a very capable, impressive, and powerful camera all housed within a very small and lightweight package at a very reasonable and approachable price point. If you’re someone new to photography and are looking for a great camera with interchangeable lenses but don’t want to spend a ton of money on a top-tier full-frame body, then this is a great option. Additionally, if you want a very capable camera but need something that’s lightweight, small, and easily transportable the a6700 is just what you’re looking for. Every now and then a camera comes out that somehow manages to check more boxes than most and that excels in many different aspects. The Sony a6700 is one of those cameras.

I sincerely hope this article has been informative and has provided some valuable insights to anyone curious about this new camera. I’m excited to see what photographers think of the a6700 once they’ve gotten their hands on it and had a chance to thoroughly test it out. I’ll see ya on the next one and happy shooting!

















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 AUTHOR 

Keenan Hursh is a Photographer, visual designer, and creative story teller based out of Bozeman, Montana. He draws inspiration from his frequent excursions into the natural world and always brings his camera along to capture whatever adventures he finds himself in. Keenan is passionate about documenting and sharing fleeting moments from the natural world and focuses primarily on wildlife, landscape, and adventure photography.

When it comes to gear, he primarily shoots digital with his Canon EOS R5 and EOS 6D mark ii but also has several 35mm film cameras that get out every now and then.

At a very young age, Keenan started bringing a camera along on his excursions and immediately fell in love with the art of photography. He started out with his parent’s cheap point and shoot and has continuously improved his craft and gear refining his shooting style and producing more compelling and intriguing images.

Growing up in the foothills of Boulder, Colorado, surrounded by mountains and wilderness, Keenan has developed a deep passion for many outdoor activities. When he’s not out on a shoot or using his camera, Keenan enjoys skiing, climbing, hiking, backpacking, cycling, whitewater rafting, and paragliding. If he’s outside, away from the distractions of society and civilization, he’s in his happy place.

Keenan studied Emergent Digital Practices at the University of Denver while minoring in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. Since earning his degree in 2019 he was worked with a wide range of clients, companies, and organizations throughout his career. Apart from photography he specializes in content creation, writing, brand development, and graphic design.

You can view Keenan’s portfolio on his website at www.keenanhurshphoto.com

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BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2024
CONTACT US
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928-478-1521
adventure@backcountryjourneys.com

TRIP CATALOG

Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.

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