Sony Releases Next-generation APS-C Mirrorless a6700
Sony Electronics just announced 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 120fpsi, a wide latitude of 14+ stopsii 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.
“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,” says Yang Cheng, Vice President, Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc.
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 IIiii, 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+ stopsii, 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-Framingiv 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.v), 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 stopsvi of shutter speed advantage for stills and an Active Modevii ensures stable footage.
In terms of connectivity, the camera now supports the Creators’ Appviii 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 SORPLASTMx, are used throughout the camera body, reducing environmental impact without sacrificing functionality. Over the past 10 years, Sony has replaced approximately 379 tonsix of virgin plastic with recycled plastic in digital cameras and digital video cameras.
In addition, it is equipped with Sony’s Screen Reader functionxi that reads menus and video playback screens aloud to assist operations, supporting the creative activities of a wide variety of creators.
Main features of shotgun microphone ECM-M1
The ECM-M1 is the world’s first shotgun microphone with eight dial-selectable audio recording modelsxii. With 4 microphone capsules and unique beamforming and advanced digital processing technology, it offers varied modes including stereo. Its ultra-directional mode captures targeted sound from the front (within a 30-degree width) and at the same time effectively suppresses other sounds, dynamically adapting to ambient sound in the surroundings. This mode is ideal for interviews and selfie-oriented scenarios where the subject is always in front of the microphone.
A newly added mode dial with a locking mechanism ensures easy, secure switching of sound pickup modes. The ECM-M1 features noise reduction utilities like a noise cut filter for reducing background noise and a low-cut filter for minimizing vibration and low frequency noise. These filters are implemented through digital signal processing, maximizing audio quality at the recording stage and thereby reducing the need for complex post processing. It also supports 4-channel recording (compatible cameras only), allowing safety recording in omnidirectional mode on channels 3 and 4, while channels 1 and 2 focus on selected directivity.
Compact and lightweight, the ECM-M1 enhances mobility, empowering creators to capture high-quality audio in diverse situations. Simply clip the microphone into the Multi Interface Shoe on a compatible camera for direct power and audio connections without the need for extra cables or batteries. When connected via the Multi Interface Shoe of a compatible camera that features a built-in digital audio interface, the audio signal is directly transferred to the camera in digital form so that no degradation can occur. A simple switch also provides compatibility with a wide range of cameras using an analog interface.
Pricing and Availability
The new α6700 will be available in 2023 at a variety of Sony’s authorized dealers:
- α6700 camera only: MSRP $1399.99 USD, $1899.99 CAN
- α6700 “L” kit w/PZ1650: MSRP $1499.99 USD, $1999.99 CAN
- α6700 “M” kit w/18135: MSRP $1799.99 USD, $2399.99 CAN
The new ECMM1 microphone will be available for MSRP $349.99 USD and $469.99 CAN.
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