Sony continues to bolster its line of video content-creator tools by announcing the A6700 APS-C mirrorless camera.
The company also announced the Sony FE 70-200mm F/4 G OSS II zoom lens and the Sony ECM-M1 on-camera external microphone.
Let’s take a closer look at how these three new Sony products will help mobile content creators to become more cinematic.
Image Credit – Sony
Sony A6700 Mirrorless Camera
Combining a 26-megapixel APS-C backside illuminated Exmor R CMOS image sensor with the same Bionz XR processor found in the Sony ZV-E1, the A6700 mirrorless camera enjoys up to eight times more processing power than the previous model, A6600.
The sensor offers coverage of about 93% of the image area, with 759-point phase detection, nearly double that of the previous model.
The A6700 oversamples 4:2:2 10-Bit video at 6K and downscales it to 4K providing nearly two and a half times better image sharpness while minimizing distortion.
Users can also opt to record with full pixel readout for 4K, as well as shooting in slow-motion at up to 5x in 4K and 10x in 1080p.
Sony also has added improved subject recognition through advanced AI processing and auto-framing, which has been inherited from the A7RV.
The camera is capable of smoothly tracking subjects with real-time autofocus of human and animal subjects, as well as car/train and airplane recognition.
Sony also gives content creators a variety of options for color science.
First and foremost, there is Sony’s S-Cinetone color, which the company says is the most advanced image and color accuracy they have ever created.
Users may also choose either S-Log3 or Hybrid Log gamma (HLG) for up to 14 stops of dynamic range.
Other advanced features include lens breathing compensation, autofocus assist and focus mapping, and peaking, which can be deployed even while zooming the lens focal length.
It also offers up to 5-Stops In-Body Image Stabilization.
Image Credit – Sony
Sony has also included a vari-angle 1.03 million dot touchscreen panel, a 2.36 million dot OLED electronic viewfinder, and a multi-interface shoe for attaching an external microphone.
There is support for streaming in 4K at up to 30 frames per second, via USB, but 2.4/5 GHz WiFi is also supported.
The A6700 can also connect to a smartphone for control and file transfer.
Finally, Sony has improved the overall ergonomics of the camera, redesigning the dials and control interfaces for an easier workflow.
The camera is also dust and moisture-resistant.
Image Credit – Sony
Sony FE 70-200mm F/4 G OSS II Lens
The new Sony FE 70-200mm F/4 G OSS II Lens is the second generation of the zoom lens and has been redesigned to be 15 percent shorter at 149mm, and at 771 grams (1.7 lbs) it is slightly lighter to carry.
The lens offers up to 400mm zoom with an optional high-performance teleconverter, which can translate to up to 600mm when shooting on an APS0-C camera.
The design that includes the first half-macro shooting range and a maximum magnification of 0.5x throughout the zoom range, the FE 70-200 F/4 utilizes advanced aspherical lens elements which provide sharp resolution and contrast from corner to corner.
The addition of an extra-low dispersion lens element promises to effectively suppress chromatic aberration.
The new Zoom also has four Sony Extreme Dynamic linear motors for increased autofocus speed by up to twenty percent.
The lens provides for focus tracking during zooming and a new MODE3ix setting in SteadyShot for camera shake correction that concentrates on framing stability while the camera is moving.
Image Credit – Sony
ECM-M1 External Microphone
Though Alpha series mirrorless cameras support just about any third-party microphone, Sony has announced their new ECM-M1 on-camera microphone, which the company says is the most advanced, and evolved microphone from Sony yet.
The ECM-M1 has four microphone capsules that use beamforming technology to capture audio from three different directions.
The mic is capable of up to eight different audio recording modes, including super-directional mode, Uni-directional mode, Omni-directional mode for ambient sound recording, super-directional rear mode, super-directional front, and rear mode for interviews, front/rear separate channel recording, stereo recording, and an ultra-directional mode for targeting front-facing sound with a 30-degree arc, while also adapting to the ambient sound conditions.
The mic has a noise-cut filter for reducing background noise and a low-pass filter for suppressing noise from camera shake.
It also supports four-channel recording on compatible cameras and even provides an omnidirectional “safety recording” using channels 3 and 4, while channels 1 and 2 focus on the main subject.
Pricing and availability:
The Sony A6700 will be available for preorder starting July 13, 2023, for a retail price of $1399 US, body only, the “L Kit” for $1499.99 that comes with a Sony PZ 16-50mm kit lens or the “M” Kit for $1799.99 with a Sony 18-153mm Kit Lens.
The Sony 70-200mm F/4 G OSS II Lens is available for preorder at $1699 US, while the Sony ECM-M1 will be available for $349.99. Shipping of all three will occur later this year.
Order Links:
- Sony a6700 Mirrorless Camera (B&H, Adorama)
- Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 Macro G OSS II Lens, E-Mount (B&H, Adorama)
- Sony ECM-M1 Compact Camera-Mount Digital Shotgun Microphone (B&H, Adorama)
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate partner and participant in B&H and Adorama Affiliate programmes, we earn a small comission from each purchase made through the affiliate links listed above at no additional cost to you.
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