Sony Releases Next-generation α6700 Mirrorless

Sony Electronics announces the release of its newest APS-C mirrorless camera, the α6700 (ILCE-6700). 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 a Sony’s most advanced APS-C mirrorless camera to date.

Additionally, Sony introduces the telephoto zoom lens FE 70-200MM F4 Macro G OSS II (product name SEL70200G2) that covers focal lengths from 70mm to 200mm with an F4 maximum aperture, compatible with 35mm full-frame α™ (Alpha™) E-mount series.

Combining an APS-C back-illuminated Exmor R® CMOS image sensor boasting 26.0 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 120fps¹, a wide latitude of 14+ stops² 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 colour 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.

Highly accurate subject recognition with AI

The latest APS-C size, back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS image sensor boasts approximately 26.0 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 colour 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 F4.0 G Macro OSS II ³, it offers 105 mm to 300 mm focal lengths in 35mm full-frame equivalent, leveraging the power of telephoto zoom for high-quality shooting.

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 latitude of 14+² above, 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-Framing⁴ 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 our 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 oz⁵.), the α6700 is highly portable. It claims a user-friendly, touch-operable vari-angle LCD monitor, coupled with a modern touch menu for effortless operation. Customisable 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 stabilisation system with 5.0 stops ⁶ of shutter speed advantage for stills and an Active Mode⁷ ensures stable footage.

In terms of connectivity, the camera now supports the Creators’ App⁸ 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

Over the past 10 years, Sony has replaced approximately 379 tons⁹ of virgin plastic with recycled plastic in digital cameras and digital video cameras. Recycled materials, including SORPLAS^TM10, are actively used for the camera body, reducing environmental impact without sacrificing functionality. In addition, it is equipped with a Screen Reader function¹¹ that reads menus and video playback screens aloud to assist operations, supporting the creative activities of a wide variety of creators.

The FE 70-200MM F4 Macro G OSS II is a compact, lightweight telephoto zoom lens that can be used in a wide range of situations. Not only does the FE 70-200MM F4 Macro G OSS II contain superb high-speed and high-performance AF that are unique to G lenses, this is the world’s first¹ zoom lens to offer half macro capability throughout the zoom range, with a maximum magnification of 0.5x ¹² throughout. In addition, with a teleconverter (sold separately¹³), super-telephoto shooting up to 400mm and life-size 1:1 magnification macro shooting throughout the entire zoom range is possible¹⁴.

This launch marks Sony’s 50^th full-frame E-mount lens¹⁵. Since the very first lens Sony has remained committed to supporting the creative activities of photographers and videographers by bringing together the latest technologies and expanding the E-mount lineup that covers both full-frame and APS-C size formats.

With a total length of 149mm and a weight of approximately 794g (excluding tripod mount), the FE 70-200MM F4 Macro G OSS II is zoom lens can be used for a wide range of purposes, including sports scenes, landscapes, wild birds, and even macro photography.

Shooting from 70mm to 200mm, the lens also enables the world’s first¹ half-macro shooting², with a maximum magnification of 0.5x throughout the zoom range. The advanced aspherical lenses contribute to uniformly excellent corner-to-corner resolution and contrast. In addition, ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass suppresses chromatic aberration.

It also supports a high-performance teleconverter¹⁶ (sold separately³). With a super-telephoto of up to 400 mm (equivalent to 600 mm when using with an APS-C camera)⁴, you can capture distant subjects in a larger size, along with beautiful bokeh. When the SEL20TC is attached, it is possible to take macro shots at up to 1:1 over the entire zoom range.

Sony’s unique XD (extreme dynamic) linear motor increases the autofocus speed by up to 20%¹⁷. Tracking performance for moving objects has also improved approximately twice as much compared to the previous model⁷, so it continues to track the target subject with high accuracy. Whilst focus tracking performance during zooming has also been greatly improved¹⁸. When paired with the flagship α1 body, it is possible to shoot high-speed bursts at up to 30 frames per second.

In addition, a new MODE3¹⁹ setting of SteadyShot has been added that optimises the camera shake correction algorithm, emphasising framing stability when shooting moving subjects. By combining with a compatible camera body, you can more effectively compensate for camera shake and shoot stable movies.

Intuitive operability and high reliability for safe use in harsh shooting environment

The FE 70-200MM F4 Macro G OSS II provides intuitive and secure operability that supports the photographers and videographers. In addition to a focus range limiter and a full-time DMF switch that instantly switches from AF to MF (manual focus), the detachable tripod mount included in the box provides a sense of stability during super-telephoto and macro shooting.

In addition, the front lens element features a fluorine coating, which makes it easy to remove fingerprints, dust, oil, and other contaminants from the lens surface. The dust and moisture resistant design provides extra reliability for outdoor use in challenging conditions ²⁰ and expands the freedom of shooting.

Sony is set to launch the ECM-M1, the world’s first shotgun microphone with eight dial- selectable audio recording modes²¹. 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 minimising vibration and low frequency noise. These filters are implemented through digital signal processing, maximising 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.