The Sony a6700 has been released. How does it perform? Is it worth purchasing? How does it compare to its competitors?

What are the main features of the A6700? What kind of camera is it? What are its core advantages?

Key Features:

- Equipped with a 26.0-megapixel back-illuminated sensor, similar to Sony FX30.

- Bionz XR processor with a dedicated "AI processing engine" that can recognize and autofocus in real-time on humans, animals, birds, airplanes, cars, trains, and insects based on AI recognition.

- Improved menu navigation and touchscreen functionality for enhanced usability.

- Native ISO range of 100-32,000, expandable to 50-102,400.

- Autofocus tracking with subject recognition, featuring 759 autofocus points covering 93% of the frame.

- Capable of capturing stills at 11 fps using mechanical or electronic shutter.

- Capable of recording 4K 60p video with minimal cropping, utilizing 6K oversampling for 4K video quality, and also offering 1.58x cropped 4K/120p. Supports capturing video in 10-bit 4:2:2 or 4:2:0 using H.265 or H.264 AVC codecs. Supports frame rates from 1fps to 240fps for slow-motion in 1080P. Offers S-Cinetone, S-Log3, and HLG profiles with LUT support.

- Lower rolling shutter and jelly effect in 4k24p recording (15.4ms compared to Sony a6600's 40ms).

- Features a side-flip LCD screen, a popular choice among users.

- Equipped with 5-axis in-body image stabilization with 5 levels of compensation.

- Supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) output.

- Features 2x2 MIMO wireless connectivity.

- Supports UVC/UAC streaming up to 4K/30.

Key Advantages:

- Capable of recording 4K 60p uncropped video using 6K oversampling for enhanced video quality.

- Upgrades from models like Sony A6400/A6600 to feature a side-flip LCD screen, improving display effectiveness. Compared to A6400, it has in-body stabilization and significantly improved battery life with the NP-FZ100 battery (A6400 uses NP-FW50 battery).

- AI-powered subject recognition, offering an enhanced autofocus system and processor.

- Offers a vast selection of both native and third-party lenses, surpassing other brands in the APS-C mirrorless camera segment.

Main Disadvantages:

- Higher price point (priced at 1450 GBP).

- Display resolution is lower and display quality is comparatively poorer when compared to similarly positioned Canon R7/Fujifilm X-S20.

- Single card slot (UHS-II SD).

- Overheating issue at 4K 60p recording, although most users might not experience overheating when recording at this specification (testing from both domestic and international reviews suggests continuous recording for about 25 minutes).

A6700 vs A7C ?

- If your main focus is amateur photography, with minimal video requirements, and you're comfortable with the price range of full-frame lenses, then the Sony A7C would be the most suitable choice. The advantages of full-frame in terms of image quality, high ISO performance, and dynamic range are evident.

- If you have both photography and video needs and prioritize video performance, then the Sony A6700 is the clear choice. Its 4K 60p oversampling without cropping makes it a strong contender.

- If you're a student with a limited budget, regardless of whether you prioritize photography or video, the A6700 is a better option. Though the price difference between the cameras might not be significant, the cost of lenses can add up. Consider the comprehensive breakdown of Canon, Sony, and Nikon full-frame mirrorless setups in terms of cost before making a decision.

- If you're a female photographer and prioritize portability, the A6700 is also a good choice. While the weight difference between the two cameras might not seem substantial, the weight of lenses in the long run, especially telephoto and large zoom lenses, can significantly differ between full-frame and APS-C options. The additional image quality and dynamic range of full-frame might not be as noticeable to you, especially in good lighting conditions.