SONY A6700 vs SONY A7IV — which is actually better?

THAT ICELANDIC GUY.
10 Nov 202309:20

TLDRThe video compares the Sony a6700 and Sony a74 hybrid cameras, highlighting the differences in size, sensor, features, and performance. The a6700 is more compact with a 26-megapixel APS-C sensor and advanced AI autofocus, while the a74 is larger, with a 33-megapixel full-frame sensor and better low-light performance. Both cameras share features like 10-bit 4K video, image stabilization, and e-mount lens compatibility. The choice between the two depends on the user's preference for size, budget, and specific features like high frame rate video or depth of field.

Takeaways

  • 📐 The Sony a6700 is smaller and more compact with a 26-megapixel APS-C sensor, while the Sony a74 is larger and features a 33-megapixel full-frame sensor.
  • 🔍 The a6700 boasts a new AI-powered autofocus system, similar to the one found in the high-end A7R5, offering fast and accurate performance.
  • 🎥 Both cameras can film 10-bit 4:2:0 footage with high bitrates and have advanced picture profiles like S-Log 3 and HL (Hybrid Log-Gamma).
  • 📸 The a6700 can shoot 4K at 120 frames per second, albeit with a crop, while the a74 offers a higher 4K frame rate without crop but at 60 frames per second.
  • 🖼️ The a74 provides a wider ISO range, more RAW file settings, and a higher maximum shutter speed, particularly when using the electronic shutter.
  • 💸 The a6700 is more budget-friendly, with the body priced around $1,400, compared to the a74's body, which costs around $2,500.
  • 🔧 Both cameras have a 5-axis image stabilization system, with the a74 offering slightly better stabilization at 5.5 stops versus 5.0 stops for the a6700.
  • 🔒 The a74 has two memory card slots, including support for fast CF Express cards, which the a6700 lacks.
  • 📹 The a74 has better low-light performance due to its full-frame sensor, and it can downsample 7K footage to 4K for sharper images.
  • 🎞️ Both cameras are compatible with Sony's E-mount lenses, allowing for a wide range of lens options, but using APS-C lenses on a full-frame camera requires switching to a crop mode.
  • 🤔 The choice between the a6700 and a74 ultimately depends on the user's priorities, such as size, budget, and specific features like high frame rate video or superior image quality.

Q & A

  • What are the key differences between the Sony a6700 and Sony a74 cameras in terms of size and sensor?

    -The Sony a6700 is smaller and more compact, featuring a 26-megapixel back-illuminated APS-C sensor. In contrast, the Sony a74 is larger and bulkier, equipped with a 33-megapixel full-frame sensor. The difference in sensor size is observable even without a lens attached.

  • How does the autofocus system differ between the two cameras?

    -The a6700 features a new AI-powered autofocus system, which is fast and accurate, similar to the one found in the A7R5. The a74 also has a good autofocus system, but the a6700's is the latest and greatest, offering better performance.

  • What unique video capabilities does the a6700 offer that the a74 does not?

    -The a6700 can film at 4K 120 frames per second, although this is with a significant crop. It also has a new auto framing mode found in the Sony SV E1, which is an interesting feature for video enthusiasts.

  • What advantages does the Sony a74 have over the a6700 in terms of still photography features?

    -The a74 has a wider ISO range, additional raw file settings, a higher maximum shutter speed (when using the electronic shutter), and two memory card slots, including support for fast CF Express cards. It also has a larger viewfinder and grip, which some users may find more comfortable.

  • How do the dynamic range and noise performance of the two cameras compare?

    -The a74 has a slightly better dynamic range and is less noisy, especially in extreme underexposure conditions. It can capture more detail in the shadows and has better noise control at higher ISO settings.

  • What similarities do the Sony a6700 and a74 share in terms of video capabilities?

    -Both cameras can film 10-bit 4:2:0 footage with up to 600 MB/s using the All-Intra compression, have advanced picture profiles like S-Log 3 or HL (Hybrid Log-Gamma), offer a web camera mode with easy breathing compensation for video, and have variable shutter speed settings.

  • What is the stabilization performance of the two cameras?

    -The a74 has slightly better image stabilization with 5.5 stops, while the a6700 offers 5.0 stops of stabilization. Both cameras also have an active mode image stabilization for video, which uses electronic stabilization with a 1.1x crop.

  • What is the battery life like for both cameras?

    -Both cameras are equipped with a large battery, which provides significant power and extended shooting time for both stills and video.

  • What is the price difference between the Sony a6700 and a74 at the time of recording?

    -At the time of recording, the Sony a74 costs around $2,500 for just the body, while the a6700 costs around $1,400 for just the body.

  • How do the two cameras cater to different user preferences?

    -The choice between the a6700 and a74 depends on the user's priorities. The a74 offers better picture quality with its full-frame sensor but at a higher cost. The a6700, with its smaller APS-C sensor, might be a better deal for those on a budget or who value the smaller form factor for portability.

  • What are the implications of using APS-C lenses on a full-frame camera like the a74?

    -Both cameras feature Sony E-mount, allowing the use of both full-frame and APS-C lenses. However, using APS-C lenses on the a74 requires switching to the super 35 crop mode, which changes the field of view.

Outlines

00:00

📸 Comparing the Sony a6700 and a74 Hybrid Cameras

This paragraph introduces a comparison between two hybrid cameras, the Sony a6700 and the Sony a74. It highlights the differences in size and sensor, with the a6700 being more compact and equipped with a 26-megapixel sensor, while the a74 is larger and features a 33-megapixel full-frame sensor. The discussion includes the feel of the cameras, with the a74 having a bigger grip and viewfinder. It also mentions new features exclusive to the a6700, such as AI-powered autofocus and a new auto-framing mode. However, the a74 has its advantages, including a wider ISO range, better raw file settings, higher maximum shutter speed, and additional memory card slots. The paragraph ends with a teaser about comparing photos and videos shot on both cameras.

05:01

🎥 Shared Features and Pricing of Sony a6700 and a74

This paragraph delves into the shared features of the Sony a6700 and a74, such as the ability to film 10-bit 4:2:0 footage, advanced picture profiles, webcam mode, breathing compensation, variable shutter, and 5-axis image stabilization. The a74 has slightly better stabilization at 5.5 stops compared to 5.0 stops on the a6700. Both cameras have a big battery, but there is a significant price difference, with the a74 costing around $2,500 and the a6700 around $1,400 for just the body. The paragraph also discusses additional insights gained from using both cameras, including the a74's better dynamic range and lower noise levels, its capability to shoot 7K footage down-sampled to 4K, and the full-frame sensor's advantage in depth of field and high frame rate photography. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the versatility of Sony's E-mount lenses for both full-frame and APS-C cameras, but notes the need to switch to a super 35 crop mode when using APS-C lenses on a full-frame camera.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Hybrid Cameras

Hybrid cameras refer to digital cameras that are capable of performing both photography and videography functions at a high level. In the context of the video, the Sony a6700 and Sony a74 are being compared as examples of hybrid cameras, showcasing their versatility in imaging technology.

💡Sensor Size

Sensor size is a critical component in digital cameras that affects image quality and sensitivity. A larger sensor, like the full-frame sensor in the Sony a74, typically captures more light and provides better low-light performance and dynamic range. In the video, the difference in sensor size between the a6700 and a74 is highlighted as a key distinction between the two cameras.

💡Autofocus

Autofocus refers to the camera's ability to automatically focus on the subject, ensuring sharp and clear images. The video emphasizes the advanced autofocus system in the a6700, powered by AI, which offers fast and accurate focusing. This is a crucial feature for photographers and videographers who require precise and quick focusing in various shooting scenarios.

💡Frame Rate

Frame rate refers to the number of individual images captured per second in video recording. A higher frame rate can result in smoother motion capture, which is particularly important for fast-moving subjects or action scenes. The video compares the frame rates of the two cameras, with the a6700 capable of 4K at 120 frames per second, albeit with a crop, while the a74 offers a lower frame rate without a crop.

💡Image Stabilization

Image stabilization is a technology that minimizes the blur caused by camera shake during handheld shooting. It can be achieved through optical (lens-based) or in-body methods. The video mentions that both cameras have 5-axis image stabilization, with the a74 having a slightly better performance at 5.5 stops compared to 5 stops on the a6700.

💡Memory Card Slots

Memory card slots are essential for storing the images and videos captured by a camera. The number and type of card slots can affect the user's workflow and the ability to backup or expand storage capacity. The video points out that the a74 has two memory card slots, including one for high-speed CF Express cards, which is not available on the smaller a6700.

💡Dynamic Range

Dynamic range refers to the camera's ability to capture details in both the darkest and brightest parts of an image. A camera with a greater dynamic range can handle high contrast scenes better, preserving details in shadows and highlights. The video suggests that the a74 has a slightly better dynamic range, which can result in less noise and more detail in challenging lighting conditions.

💡Low-Light Performance

Low-light performance is a camera's ability to capture clear and噪点少 (less noisy) images in conditions with insufficient lighting. Full-frame sensors, like the one in the a74, tend to perform better in low light due to their larger size, which allows for better light capture. The video implies that the a74 has superior low-light performance compared to the a6700 with its APS-C sensor.

💡Depth of Field

Depth of field refers to the range of distance within a scene that appears acceptably sharp. A greater depth of field can be achieved with a full-frame sensor, which typically allows for a shallower, more blurred background (bokeh), creating a more professional look in portraits and other types of photography. The video mentions that the full-frame a74 offers more depth of field compared to the APS-C a6700.

💡E-Mount Lens

E-Mount is a type of lens mount used by Sony for their mirrorless cameras. It allows for compatibility with a wide range of lenses, both full-frame and APS-C, providing photographers and videographers with flexibility in their choice of optics. The video notes that both the a6700 and a74 use the E-mount system, enabling users to utilize a variety of lenses for different shooting needs.

💡Price

Price is a significant factor for many consumers when considering the purchase of a camera. The video provides a comparison of the price points for the Sony a6700 and a74, with the a6700 being more budget-friendly and the a74 being more expensive due to its higher-end features and full-frame sensor.

Highlights

The Sony a6700 is smaller and more compact compared to the bulkier Sony a74.

The a6700 features a 26-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, while the a74 has a 33-megapixel full-frame sensor.

The a74 has a larger grip and viewfinder, providing a more comfortable feel for some users.

The a6700 introduces a new AI-powered autofocus system, which is also found in the high-end A7R5.

The a74's autofocus is the latest and greatest, offering better performance than the a6700.

The a6700 can shoot 4K at 120 frames per second, albeit with a crop.

The a74 can shoot 4K at 60 frames per second, but also with a crop.

The a74 has a wider ISO range and additional RAW file settings options.

The a74 offers a higher maximum shutter speed, achievable with the electronic shutter.

The a74 features two memory card slots, including support for fast CF Express cards, unlike the a6700.

Both cameras can film 10-bit 4:2:0 footage with high bitrates and have advanced picture profiles like S-Log 3 and HL (Hybrid Log-Gamma).

The a74 has slightly better image stabilization with 5.5 stops, compared to the a6700's 5.0 stops.

Both cameras have a big battery, providing extended shooting times.

The a74 is more expensive, costing around $2,500 for the body, while the a6700 is priced at approximately $1,400 for the body.

The a74 offers better dynamic range and less noise, especially in underexposed images.

The a74 captures 7K footage down-sampled to 4K, resulting in slightly sharper images compared to the a6700's 6K down-sampled footage.

Full-frame sensors like the one in the a74 provide more depth of field and bokeh compared to APS-C sensors.

Both cameras are equipped with E-mount, allowing the use of both full-frame and APS-C lenses, but with considerations for crop mode.

The a6700's smaller size may be preferable for those who value portability and compactness.

The a6700's new features, including autofocus and high frame rate capabilities, make it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers and videographers.