Why I Bought the Sony A6700
After spending a couple of weeks with the Sony A6700, I can confidently say that this camera won me over—so much so that while traveling in South Africa, I emailed my rental company and told them, “I want to buy it.”
While I primarily used it for video, this channel focuses on photography, so that’s where I’ll direct this review. If you’re considering the A6700 as your next camera, I’ll walk you through my experience, from its autofocus capabilities to its ergonomics, and why I ultimately decided to add it to my kit.
The Sony A6700 is Sony’s only APS-C photography-first camera currently on the market, with the updated AI focusing chip. While Sony offers other APS-C models like the ZV-E10, those are video-centric.
Before this, I was using the Sony A6100, and previously, Sony had released three APS-C models at a time—the A6100, A6400, and A6600. With the A6700, they streamlined the lineup into one camera.
Key Upgrades Over Previous Models
AI Autofocus: The autofocus system is legit—far beyond just a marketing gimmick. It’s powered by an updated processor and an AI chip, making subject tracking more precise than ever.
Fully Articulating Screen: A flip-out screen isn’t necessarily an upgrade for everyone, but it’s a difference from older models.
Weather Sealing: This was only available on the A6600, but now it’s in the A6700 as well.
Full USB-C (3.2) Port: No more slow Micro USB charging—this means faster image transfers and quick charging. I even used it to charge the camera on the go.
Hybrid Camera Capabilities: While photography-first, it’s still a great hybrid camera, capable of shooting 11 FPS in JPEG and slightly slower in RAW.
Autofocus: The Game Changer
Sony’s AI-driven autofocus is what sold me on this camera. While testing it at a private game reserve in South Africa, I captured lions, rhinos, zebras, and more. The A6700’s eye detection locked onto subjects effortlessly, even through tall grass, something my older A6100 and A7 II struggled with.
One standout moment? A lion was hidden in tall grass, yet the camera was still found and locked onto its eye. That’s something I never experienced with my older cameras.
Real-World Results
Compared to my previous cameras:
More shots in focus.
Faster subject tracking.
More confidence in capturing fleeting moments.
For wildlife or any fast-moving subjects, this autofocus just works.
The Perfect Travel Camera?
For my upcoming summer travels, I’ll be bringing:
📷 Sony A6700 (main camera).
📷 Sony A7CR (for higher-resolution shots).
📷 Ricoh GR IIIx (for street and pocketability).
Lens pairings:
Sigma 90mm f/2.8 (sharp, compact portrait lens).
Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 or Sony 18-105mm (versatile zooms).
Sony 20mm f/2.8 (compact wide-angle).
This setup gives me versatility without being overloaded with gear.
Final Thoughts: Is the A6700 Worth It?
Who should buy the A6700?
✔ Photographers who want top-tier autofocus in APS-C.
✔ Hybrid shooters needing great photo and video quality.
✔ Travelers or hobbyists looking for a lightweight but powerful setup.
Who might skip it?
❌ If you need better low-light performance, full-frame might be better.
❌ If you already own the A6600, the upgrade might not be drastic enough.
For me, the A6700 was the right fit, and I’m excited to use it more. If you’re considering it, rent one first, test it out, and see if it works for your needs.