Sony’s artificial intelligence tools have now trickled down into the more consumer-oriented camera line.
The a6000 camera line from Sony has been a nice budget addition to its more expensive full-frame offerings. Sony shooters that I know often have an a6000 series on hand to capture moments where the bigger sensors might be overkill.
Now after four years, an update to the APS-C series has been released.
The Sony a6700 pumps out impressive video and photo specs while elevating autofocus and subject tracking thanks to a dedicated AI processor. So, should Sony shooters be rushing to upgrade? Let’s dig a bit deeper.
AI in Super 35
At the heart of the Sony a6700 is a 26.0MP1 APS-C Exmor R back-illuminated CMOS sensor. Paired with a BIONZ XR chip, the little camera outputs video in 4K/60p oversampled from 6K in 4:2:2 10-bit. Additionally, high frame rate recording is available in up to 4K/120p.
This feature makes it a powerhouse on its own. Add in S-Log3, and creatives get a claimed 14+ stops of latitude, offering increased dynamic range and the highly sought-after S-Cinetone.
But this update has more in store than just a resolution and dynamic range. The dedicated AI processor and real-time recognition technology found in the full-frame A7 series is now in a more affordable body. It also features fives-axis in-body optical image stabilization with up to five steps of compensation.
This is where things get interesting for solo filmmakers and fast-shooting documentarians.
The real-time tracking and human pose estimation provides smarter autofocus and facilitates real-time subject recognition. While it won’t replace the creativity of a dedicated team, it will allow lone creatives to focus more on composition and story than their focus and exposure.
The camera is also compact and lightweight, making it a comfortable tool to handle, while the eye-level EVF and vari-angle LCD monitor enhance shooting flexibility.
Photographers will appreciate the flexibility offered by selectable RAW file types and the JPEG Light quality setting. This allows for customized output options and efficient file management. Additionally, the camera boasts faster and more precise autofocus with 759 phase-detection AF points covering 93 percent of the frame, ensuring sharp and detailed images.
Who Is This Camera For?
The Sony a6700 combines cutting-edge technology with efficient features in a compact form factor. It’s also affordable to boot.
For creatives that need high-end Sony features and image quality, the a6700 is a great B-Cam or daily shooter. I see this being a great asset for social media content creation where a bigger camera might be a tad overkill.
But with the addition of AI-based functionalities, this tool really starts to shine for those of us without a team.
What do you think? Is the a6700 the right fit for you? Let us know in the comments!
