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 their 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 offer impressive capabilities, but the choice depends on the user's preferences for size, budget, and specific features like high frame rate video recording.

Takeaways

  • 📐 The Sony a6700 is smaller and more compact with a 26-megapixel back-illuminated 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.
  • 🎥 The a6700 can shoot 4K at 120 frames per second, albeit with a crop, while the a74 offers a higher 4K frame rate but also with a crop.
  • 🖼 Both cameras share several features, including the ability to film 10-bit 4:2:0 footage, advanced picture profiles, and 5-axis image stabilization.
  • 💰 Price-wise, 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 has a wider ISO range and better low-light performance, as well as additional RAW file settings compared to the a6700.
  • 🔒 The a74 has two memory card slots, including support for fast CF Express cards, a feature not present in the a6700.
  • 🎬 Both cameras have a large battery, but the a74's viewfinder and grip are larger due to its bulkier design, which may be more comfortable for some users.
  • 🏞 The a74's full-frame sensor provides more depth of field and better bokeh compared to the APS-C sensor of the a6700.
  • 📹 For high frame rate photography and videography, the a6700 offers 11 frames per second, while the a74 has 10 frames per second.

Q & A

  • What is the primary difference between the Sony a6700 and the Sony a74 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.

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

    -The a6700 features a new AI-powered autofocus system, similar to the one found in the A7R5, which is noted for its speed and accuracy. 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.

  • What are some advantages the Sony a74 has over the a6700?

    -The a74 has a wider ISO range, additional RAW file settings, a higher maximum shutter speed (when using the electronic shutter), two memory card slots, and supports faster CF Express cards. It also has a larger viewfinder and grip, better low-light performance, and slightly better dynamic range.

  • How do the video capabilities of the two cameras compare?

    -Both cameras can film 10-bit 4:2:0 footage with up to 600 MB/s using the All-Ira compression. They also share advanced picture profiles like S-Log 3 or HL (Hybrid Log-Gamma), have web camera mode, breathing compensation for video, and variable shutter. The a74 can film 4K at a higher frame rate, but the a6700 offers 4K at 120 frames per second, albeit with a crop.

  • What is the price difference between the Sony a6700 and the Sony 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 does the image quality differ between the full-frame Sony a74 and the APS-C Sony a6700?

    -The a74 provides better picture quality due to its full-frame sensor, which also allows for better depth of field and bokeh compared to the APS-C sensor of the a6700. The a74 also has less noise and a slightly better dynamic range.

  • What do the cameras have in common in terms of lens compatibility?

    -Both the full-frame a74 and the APS-C a6700 are equipped with Sony E-mount, meaning they can use all Sony lenses, whether full-frame or APS-C. However, using APS-C lenses on the full-frame camera requires switching to the Super 35 crop mode.

  • What factors should one consider when choosing between the Sony a6700 and the Sony a74?

    -Factors to consider include budget, preference for full-frame or APS-C sensor, importance of video capabilities, the need for compactness, and desired features such as AI autofocus and high frame rate video.

  • What is the significance of the a74 downsampling 7K footage to 4K compared to the a6700 downsampling 6K footage to 4K?

    -The a74's use of 7K footage results in a slightly sharper image when downscaled to 4K, as it starts with higher resolution capture before downscaling. This can provide more detail in the final 4K video.

  • How does the a6700's smaller size affect its usability for video recording?

    -The smaller size of the a6700 can be advantageous for video recording as it takes up less space and can be more comfortable to handle for extended periods. However, some users may prefer the larger size of the a74 for better grip and stability.

Outlines

00:00

📸 Camera Comparison: Sony a6700 vs a74

This paragraph introduces a video that compares two Sony hybrid cameras: the a6700 and the a74. It discusses the size and sensor differences, with the a6700 being more compact and having a 26-megapixel APS-C sensor, while the a74 is larger and features a 33-megapixel full-frame sensor. The video aims to help viewers determine which camera is best suited for their needs. The a6700 boasts new AI-powered autofocus and can shoot 4K at 120 frames per second, albeit with a crop. The a74, while also having good autofocus, offers a higher frame rate of 60 frames per second (though cropped) and has additional features like a wider ISO range, better RAW file settings, and two memory card slots. The paragraph concludes with a teaser for a photo comparison and a deeper dive into the cameras' features.

05:01

🎥 Shared Features and Price Considerations

This paragraph delves into the shared features of the Sony a6700 and a74 cameras, such as the ability to film 10-bit 4:2:0 footage, advanced picture profiles, a webcam mode, breathing compensation, variable shutter, and 5-axis image stabilization. The a74 has slightly better stabilization and a bigger battery. The paragraph also addresses the price difference, with the a74 costing around $2,500 and the a6700 around $1,400 for just the body. Additional insights are provided after using both cameras for a few months, highlighting the a74's better dynamic range and lower noise, 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. Both cameras are compatible with Sony E-mount lenses, but using APS-C lenses on a full-frame camera requires switching to a crop mode. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing that the choice between the a6700 and a74 depends on the user's priorities, such as picture quality, budget, and size preferences.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Hybrid Cameras

Hybrid cameras refer to digital cameras that are capable of performing both photography and videography functions effectively. In the context of the video, the Sony a6700 and Sony a74 are being compared as hybrid cameras, showcasing their capabilities in both still image and video capture.

💡Sensor Size

Sensor size is a critical component in digital cameras that determines the quality of the images produced. A larger sensor generally captures more light, leading to better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. In the video, the Sony a6700 has a 26-megapixel APS-C sensor, while the Sony a74 features a larger, 33-megapixel full-frame sensor, which is expected to deliver superior image quality.

💡Autofocus

Autofocus refers to the camera's ability to automatically focus on the subject, ensuring sharp and clear images. The video mentions that the a6700 is equipped with a new AI-powered autofocus system, which is known for its speed and accuracy, similar to the one found in the high-end Sony A7R5 camera.

💡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 in videos, especially for fast-moving subjects or high-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 can shoot at 60 frames per second without a crop.

💡ISO Range

ISO range indicates the camera's sensitivity to light, with a wider range allowing for better performance in various lighting conditions. A higher ISO value can be used in low light to capture brighter images, but may introduce more noise. The video mentions that the a74 has a wider ISO range compared to the a6700, suggesting better low-light performance and more flexibility in different shooting environments.

💡Memory Card Slots

Memory card slots are essential for storing the captured images and videos. Cameras with multiple card slots offer the benefit of data backup, increased storage capacity, or the ability to separate different types of files. The video points out that the a74 has two memory card slots, including one for CF Express cards, which are known for their high-speed data transfer, while the a6700 only has one slot and does not support CF Express cards.

💡Viewfinder and Grip

The viewfinder is the device used to frame and compose shots, while the grip is the part of the camera that is held by the user. A larger viewfinder can offer a clearer and more detailed view of the scene, and a more ergonomic grip can enhance handling and stability. The video discusses how the a74 has a bigger viewfinder and grip, which may be more comfortable for some users, especially during extended shooting sessions.

💡Image Stabilization

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

💡Battery Life

Battery life refers to the amount of time a camera can operate on a single charge. A longer battery life is advantageous for extended shooting sessions without the need for frequent recharging or carrying multiple batteries. The video mentions a 'big battery' in both cameras, suggesting good battery life for extended use.

💡Price

Price is a significant factor for many consumers when choosing a product. In the context of the video, the a74 is mentioned to cost around $2,500 for just the body, while the a6700 is more affordable at around $1,400 for the body only. This difference in price can influence the decision-making process based on the user's budget and the value they place on the features offered by each camera.

💡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 better dynamic range can handle high contrast scenes more effectively, preserving details in shadows and highlights. The video suggests that the a74 has a slightly better dynamic range, which can be crucial for achieving high-quality images, particularly in challenging lighting conditions.

Highlights

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

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

The a6700 introduces a new AI-powered autofocus system, similar to the one found in the high-end A7R5.

The a74 can shoot 60 frames per second, but this is with a cropped sensor, unlike the a6700's 120 frames per second in 4K.

The a74 offers a wider ISO range and more raw file settings options.

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

The a74 includes two memory card slots, supporting the high-speed CF Express cards, unlike the a6700.

The a74's viewfinder and grip are larger, potentially offering a more comfortable experience for some users.

The a74 has better low-light performance due to its full-frame sensor.

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 stops.

Both cameras have a big battery, which is beneficial for extended use.

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

The a74 has a slightly better dynamic range and less noise, especially in underexposed images.

The a74 captures 7K footage down-sampled to 4K, resulting in a sharper image 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 full-frame and APS-C lenses, but using APS-C lenses on a full-frame camera requires switching to a crop mode.

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