Sony A6700 S-Log 3 Video Review

When researching the Sony A6700, I was impressed with the video capabilities of the camera and that it could take high quality S Log 3 video.

With that in mind when I received the Sony A6700, as I live in New Zealand the movie output is set to PAL so recording is set at 25fps, 50fps and 100fps. At 25fps, I set the A6700 to the highest video quality output XAVC S-I 4K 250M 4:2:2 10bit, the only issue with this is the file size, as one minute of video used up 1.8gb of card space so I reduced it to the smaller size XAVC S 4K 140M 4:2:2 10bit, this still used approximately 1.2gb of card space without losing to much detail in the video quality.

The Colour Gamut I’m using is S-Gamut3.Cine/S-Log3. I also downloaded the Sony Look Up profiles from the Sony LUT site and imported them into my camera. I currently don’t embed the LUT profile into the video as I use Adobe Premiere Pro to process the video, I have imported the same LUT’s into Adobe Premiere Pro which I apply in post processing. This allows me to control, and colour grade the video.

As I have upgrade from the Sony A6100 the real noticable difference apart from the S-Log 3 is that when recording vertical video with the Sony A6700, the video is written to the SD card in a vertical orientation, whereas the Sony A6100 the vertical video is written to the SD card in a horizontanal orientation, this requires the video to be rotated in post processing.

There are eleven customizable buttons on the camera for the video functions, which can be programmed with different settings, so changes can be made easily. Using the Mode Dial in the movie setting, there are three customisable modes 1, 2, and 3 and I have programmed the correct settings for shooting at the different frame rates. Mode 1: - 25fps, Mode 2: - 50fps, Mode 3: - 100fps. This gives me the ability to change frame rates quickly and effortlessly if I need to slow down or speed up the footage.

Sony A6700 showing the Mode Dials 1, 2, & 3

In S-log 3 the minimum ISO is 200. If I have plenty of light I will use the lowest ISO I can. If the light is fading I will use either one of the base ISO 800 or 2500. On New Years Eve in Picton New Zealand I recorded video of the bands playing in low light using ISO 2500. There was no visible noise in the footage, so was very happy with the results knowing I can capture footage in low light on a APSC (Cropped Sensor) camera with no noise. I have also learnt to use the Zebra settings to help get the video properly exposed.

In the movie mode there is an “active” setting for the IBIS (In Body Image Stabilisation), with this set and using good technique with holding the camera and panning the camera I find I can get stable footage. The New Years Eve footage is a good example as there was so many people I couldn’t get close to the stage. I was using a Sony 35mm f1.8 prime lens and it wasn’t safe to use my tripod so the footage was captured handheld.

Over the Christmas holidays I purchased a Ulanzi quick release camera cage for my Sony A6700, it has three cold shoe attachments so it makes it easier to attach my Rode microphone and LED lights when required. Over the coming months I’ll decide what other attachments, such as a top handle or side handles that would be best suited for me.

One of the known issues with the Sony A6700 is overheating especially when recording at the higher frame rates in 4k. I’m currently only shooting short form video. The longest videos I have recorded is ten minutes at 25fps, I have changed the Auto Power Off Temp settings from standard to high. By changing this setting it apparently allows for longer shooting times. For me this is untested as I currently have not had any overheating issues.

The Sony A6700 is a hybrid camera, I’m very happy with the quality of the video that the camera can produce. I look forward to expanding my video knowledge and producing engaging video in 2025 knowing I have selected the right camera for me.

Below the videos is the link to the Sony website where you can download the Sony LUT files if you have a Sony camera.

The Relatives Playing Picton New Years Eve

The 2024 Blenheim Christmas Parade

Boats coming and going on a spring day in Picton New Zealand

Click Here for the Sony Lut Library.