My name is Jakub and I am a freelance photographer from the Czech Republic. I started with photography in around 2006, shooting downhill biking races. It's difficult for me to describe myself and my work, because I shoot everything - weddings, landscapes, automotive, sport, products, and I love travelling. So you could say I'm trying to combine everything together and enjoy the creativity.

You were one of the first to test the Alpha 6700. What were your first impressions and stand out features for you?

I'm really surprised how powerful this little camera is. I've had the privilege of testing the recent models that Sony has released, like the Alpha 7R V and ZV-E1, and it seems to me that this new camera has taken the best of all the recent new models and combined it with the benefits of an APS-C sensor. Those advantages are of course the size and weight of not only the body, but also the lenses. If I had to pick three things that appealed to me the most, it's the AI object recognition, 4K 120p resolution for video and the ability to shoot in S-Log3, as well as the new button layout and features. For example, the ease of switching between stills and video.

How will these features help the type of content creation you and others in the same field do?

I took the Alpha 6700 with me on a road trip to Denmark, and even though I had my Alpha 7 IV with me, I didn't really feel inclined to go shooting or filming with it at all. Even though I'm used to the quality of the output from the full-frame sensor, I was pleasantly surprised at how good the 6700 was. Compared to my camera, I've changed the control and focusing system a bit and now rely purely on subject tracking and recognition. And I have to admit I was really impressed with how accurately and quickly this works. And the best part is that despite the size, this camera offers a sufficient 26-megapixel resolution and most importantly 4.2.2. 10bit in 4K for video and the ability to adjust colours like a true pro.

The Alpha 6700 aims at providing creators with the image quality, operability and autofocus performance they need to carry out their projects, no matter how demanding they are. Do you think it achieves this goal?

Many professionals think they need to shoot with a full-frame sensor and that an APS-C camera is not powerful enough, but that may not be entirely true. The advantage of APS-C is their affordability and also the availability of lenses. You can still put FE lenses on an APS-C camera, so you have a huge choice of lens offerings. Another big bonus is again better, faster and more stable data transfer from the camera to your phone or other device, which will be appreciated by both the professional on set or the traveller who wants to share important moments with their viewers. I really like the slight changes in ergonomics and button placement compared to the older APS-C models. You can switch between shooting stills and video in seconds, and if you want, this switch changes the controls and individual functions. With accurate and fast focusing, you won't even miss the joystick you're used to from the full-frame series.

Lenses and accessories are another core component of creating images. Which Sony lenses and accessories did you use for your initial test and why?

When testing the 6700, I used the E 11m f/1.8, E PZ 10-20mm f/4 G and also the E 15mm f/1.4 G. These lenses have nice wide aperture and because they are made for the APS-C sensor, they are really small and lightweight. I quickly took a liking to the 11mm f/1.8 lens in particular, which was great for vlogging but also offered a really wide focal length with excellent aperture. But in addition, I also used my own FE 24mm f/1.4 GM, which after conversion became the popular 35mm focal length. This lens fitted perfectly on the new camera and the quality of the output was stunning. I also used the FE 100-400mm f/5.6-6.3 GM OSS for a few shots, where the crop factor gave me a 600mm focal length. When vlogging I also used my Sony ECM-B1M microphone, which I'm already used to and know I can rely on, although the ECM-B10 might be more suitable on the 6700 due to its size.

What advice would you give content creators who look up to you and your work?

I'm probably going to repeat myself here, but the biggest advantage I see is that the Alpha 6700 offers the latest features to make your job easier and more importantly, help you focus on the content you want to get into your video or photo without having to focus too much on the settings. Not to mention, the compactness means you can always have this camera with you. And you know what they say, the best camera is the one you always have with you!

Do you have any parting advice for our readers? 

In conclusion, I would like to emphasise that APS-C doesn't necessarily have disadvantages compared to full-frame - it offers a lot of advantages in many cases, and people should not forget that when choosing. The Alpha 6700 can be a great first camera to help you capture a great scene without the need for professional knowledge. But at the same time, it will serve all professionals as a fully-fledged tool for their work.