Published: July 12, 2023

Sony announces a6700 Mirrorless Camera, FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS II Lens & ECM-M1 Compact Camera-Mount Digital Shotgun Microphone

Sony a6700 Mirrorless Camera

Featuring a compact synthesis of Sony’s Cinema Line innovations, α-series still-image rendering quality, and advancements in AI-based recognition technology, the Sony a6700 Mirrorless Camera ($1,398) puts powerful and versatile imaging capabilities into the hands of ambitious content creators. Powered-up by its combo of the latest 26.0MP back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor and the BIONZ XR processor, the camera nevertheless weighs less than its predecessor, resulting in a mobile workhorse capable of an unstrained 11 fps continuous stills capture or stress-free UHD 4K video oversampled from a 6K resolution, making it a formidable multi-tool for the multi-hyphenate creative.

26.0MP Exmor R CMOS Sensor and BIONZ XR Processor

The Sony a6700’s advanced imaging system is powered by the 26MP APS-C Exmor R CMOS sensor and BIONZ XR processor, a combination introduced in the FX30 Digital Cinema Camera that is capable of 10-bit UHD 4K imagery at up to 120 fps or a top continuous shooting rate of 11 fps with AF and AE and up to 59 compressed raw still images in bursts. The introduction of the back-illuminated structure to the camera’s sensor gives it a higher resolution without sacrificing sensitivity. With an ISO range of 100-32000 that’s expandable to ISO50-102400 when shooting stills, the camera boasts low-light performance with minimal noise and more than 14 stops of dynamic range.

Cinematic Video in UHD 4K

Along with its powerful sensor and processor, the Sony a6700 brings a strong suite of professional video features from its Cinema Line series to everyday content creators and aspiring filmmakers.

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.
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.
Record for more than two hours 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 allows 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 framerate, recording, light, and interval customization.

AI-Powered Autofocus and Image Stabilization

The Sony a6700’s AI Processing Unit brings a host of enhanced capabilities to the camera’s autofocus and image stabilization systems, ensuring smooth handling and clarity no matter the shooting conditions. The camera’s 759 phase detection points, covering 93% of the image area, are enhanced with AI-powered subject recognition performance and real-time tracking. Other autofocus features include focus bracketing in up to 299 images with sequentially-shifted focus points, focus accuracy in low light down to EV -3.0, focus breathing compensation, autofocus assist, focus mapping, and focus peaking during autofocus.

Additionally, the AI Processing Unit recognizes and tracks subjects when recording video, allowing for adjustment of the speed and sensitivity of the tracking, auto-cropping to focus in on a subject, touch-adjustment of the tracked subject, and customized framing location.

The camera’s pixel-level 5-axis optical image stabilization system, which compensates for five different types of camera shake encountered during handheld shooting of stills and video, is algorithmically optimized for precision detection and control down to a single pixel. The AI Processing Unit also improves communication between the body and the lens, providing more stable framing before shooting. This allows users to confidently use any lens, even adapted lenses, for critical imaging without encountering blur from camera shake.

Advanced Rendering

For stills-shooters, the a6700 offers a wide range of color renderings and compressions for optimal image quality and storage management, led by the introduction of the High Efficiency Image File format, available here in 4:2:0 and 4:2:2 options. Users also have the choice between Compressed and Lossless Compressed options when shooting raw. The AI Processing Unit also helps to achieve better exposure results in Auto mode, achieving a 20% increase in reliability over the a6600 according to manufacturer testing, with applicable algorithmic adjustments made for skin tone, backlit situations, and white balance. The same Creative Looks presets available in video are also available when shooting stills, allowing additionally for user-defined configurations with eight adjustable parameters. For optimal viewing of stills when tethered to select monitors and televisions, the a6700 now offers a stills-designed Hybrid Log-Gamma mode that delivers accurate dynamic range.

Body Design and Connectivity

Use the camera’s USB output function with 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 instantly share imagery to mobile devices for direct sharing online to social networking, via email, and to cloud storage sites.
The camera can connect to the Creators’ Cloud central cloud platform using a smartphone app for sharing and storing media, editing in the cloud, and collaboration tools.

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 XGA Tru-Finder 2.36m-dot OLED electronic viewfinder offers a bright, high-resolution means for eye-level monitoring and sports a dedicated 120 fps mode for smoother viewing when tracking moving subjects.

The side-opening, vari-angle 3.0″ 1.03m-dot LCD touchscreen works from high, low, and front-facing angles.

Accepts the high-capacity Z battery rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which provides approximately 570 stills/120 minutes of video recording per charge when using the LCD screen.

In addition to the battery, the a6700 can also be powered via a USB connection to a computer or mobile battery. This connection can also be used to charge the battery.

Robust magnesium alloy body offers a durable profile and incorporates dust and moisture seals to protect against harsh environments.
A new grip design enhances handling and stability for long shooting sessions and facilitates access to the main control buttons and dials.

Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS II Lens

Nine years in the making, Sony has retooled their classic, workhorse telephoto zoom lens with the FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS II ($1,698), introducing performance upgrades in autofocus, stabilization, magnification, and sharpness while reducing both its length and size. Remaining a portable, workaday stalwart for events, sports, and portraiture, this latest iteration expands its capabilities into video and macro applications.

Improved Optical Performance

The biggest change to the optical design of the lens is the introduction of a floating focusing element, enabling the lens’ high-resolution .5x “half-macro” magnification, shrinking the minimum focusing distance to 3.5″ at 70mm. This increased resolution is available across the entirety of the zoom range, as is the lens’ improved corner-to-corner sharpness. The lens features aspherical, Advanced Aspherical, extra-low dispersion, and extra-low dispersion aspherical elements to reduce and suppress chromatic and spherical aberrations. Nano AR Coating II controls flare and ghosting, while the rounded, nine-blade diaphragm supplies the lens with its signature deep, soft, G Master bokeh.

Faster, Video-Optimized Autofocus

Chief among the 70-200mm f/4 II’s enhancements is its faster, video-optimized autofocus system. Featuring 4 XD Linear motors, two for each of the lens’ focus groups, the lens now performs 20% faster than its predecessor and supports focus tracking while zooming. The new autofocus system also works with the Alpha 1’s blackout-free 30 fps high-speed continuous shooting, double the rate of the f/4 OSS I.
For those eager to apply the lens’ virtues to video, Sony has introduced several features from their cinema division. The new autofocus system has near-silent operation while dramatically reducing focus breathing and focus shift. The Linear Response MF system to ensures a consistent, natural-feeling operation, while the full-time Direct Manual Focus (DMF) feature makes it easy to make quick adjustments using the focus ring while in AF modes.

Rounding out the improvements to image quality, the lens’ built-in SteadyShot optical image stabilization is designed to work in tandem with the camera body’s stabilization system to ensure sharp images while shooting handheld even at the longest focal lengths.

Redesigned for Portability and Durability

In reconfiguring the 70-200mm f/4 II, Sony has kept in mind both the endurance of the lens and its user, reducing both the length and weight of the optic by 15% to 5.8″ and 1.7 lb, respectively. The internal zoom mechanism minimizes front-heaviness to reduce strain while focusing, while its dust- and moisture-resistant design and rubber control rings make it suitable for inclement conditions.

Sony ECM-M1 Compact Camera-Mount Digital Shotgun Microphone

Featuring an even more compact form factor than its predecessors and four diamond-patterned capsules, the Sony ECM-M1 Compact Camera-Mount Digital Shotgun Microphone ($348) is designed for creators using Sony cameras equipped with the Multi Interface Shoe needing to switch between interview shooting and social media content all in one device. Internal digital signal processing and advanced beamforming render clear recordings with the ability to toggle noise-cut and low-cut filters. Superdirectional pickup pattern with both front and rear pickup has eight selectable modes for the ultimate recording flexibility.

Eight Selectable Pickup Patterns and Recording Modes

Using an onboard dial control, choose between eight different recording modes, including stereo, to suit different recording scenarios. Because the embedded condensers are laid out in a diamond orientation, the ECM-M1 can isolate the left, right, rear, or front audio sources and record separate channels simultaneously. Selectable modes include superdirectional, unidirectional, omnidirectional, superdirectional (rear), superdirectional (front and rear), super directional (front and rear separate), stereo, and ultra-directional.

Superdirectional and Ultra-Directional: Focused Front Area

Ideal for vlogs or interviews where your subject in front of the camera is the main focus, the superdirectional pattern collects sound from a focused area in front of the microphone, effectively suppressing sounds from off-axis and behind the camera. Choose between front and rear superdirectional orientations. Ultra-directional compresses this area even further for a more limited pickup range.

Unidirectional: Wide Frontal Range

Perfect for multi-person conversations, the unidirectional pattern captures sound from a wide field in front of the microphone, while minimizing pickup from behind.

Omnidirectional: Sound from Any Direction

The omnidirectional pattern picks up audio equally from all directions, useful for recording environmental sounds or the voice of the camera operator.

Front and Rear Recording

Record from both the front and rear of the camera, a mode especially useful during interviews where you wish to capture the interviewer’s voice or reactions. You can also pick up the front and rear audio in two separate channels for more intuitive adjustment during postproduction. This same technology allows you to record a stereo safety track automatically.

Noise Filters, Onboard Switch Control

Controls for pickup pattern and other functions are easy to reach on the rear panel and visible at a glance for quick adjustments during shooting. The ECM-M1’s noise-cut filter and low-cut filter are very effective at reducing extraneous ambient noises and cutting out low-frequency noise through the use of digital signal processing algorithms, maximizing audio quality at the recording stage and reducing the need for complex post-processing.

Compact and Portable Mic

The microphone’s 2.8″ total length allows you to use it while wide-angle lenses, viewfinders, and gimbals where rig space is precious.
Cable-Free Connection, Vibration Suppressing Design.

No cables are required for connection to a wide range of Sony cameras equipped with an MI shoe. The absence of connecting cables means that no noise can be transmitted to the microphone mechanically via cables and connectors. The ECM-M1 features an advanced shock- and vibration-suppressing design to effectively minimize low-frequency or handling noise, which can degrade audio quality.

Supplied Windscreen

The ECM-M1 comes with a furry windshield that’s easily detachable and effective with reducing wind noise for capturing crisp audio on outdoor shoots.

Order Sony a6700 Mirrorless Camera from B&H Photo | Amazon | Sony
Order Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS II Lens from B&H Photo | Amazon | Sony
Order Sony ECM-M1 Compact Camera-Mount Digital Shotgun Microphone from B&H Photo | Amazon | Sony

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