Sony a6700 Canon R7 Real World Bird Photography!

[@PhilThach]

All the Sony a6700 photos are edited HEIF files. I normally use RAW format but at the time this video was made, August 6, 2023, Adobe Lightroom had not added a6700 RAW support. I'm sure it will be added soon. The Sony HEIF are surprisingly good!

[@gfxmaniac]

Imaging Edge works with A6700 Raw files.

[@SWeberpal]

It looks like super was added by Adobe today.

[@davidsaylors]

The little Sony looks like it is a winner. The photos are epic as usual. But I really liked the slomo of the rain. That was awesome. Thank you taking us along. 👍📸

[@PhilThach]

Thanks, David! I was really happy when I played that rain clip back and saw what it looked like!

[@leonfisher]

Great stuff in this episode; slow-mo water drops and dragonflies!

[@PhilThach]

Thank you, Leon!

[@MLee-vcrr]

Fantastic shots man! I'm really impressed by what you and Heather have done here.

[@PhilThach]

Thank you!

[@tonyw3250]

Heather's Osprey shots are awesome

[@PhilThach]

She did a great job! I still can’t believe I missed the Osprey diving for a fish while I was looking at the back of my camera lol

[@tonyw3250]

I'd of been kicking myself as that's my favourite bird after the peregrine falcon

[@Marleydia]

I really appreciate your videos, and recognize all the time it must take to put these together. I lost my Dad a few years ago. Heather is so lucky to share the same photography passion and this time with you. These memories will last her a lifetime. Nice job to both of you!

[@PhilThach]

Thank you! But I must tell you, Heather is my fiancé. She is younger than me and you’re not the first person who has thought she was my daughter.

[@Marleydia]

@@PhilThachOmg, color me red! Sorry about that!

[@jeffselfphotography3066]

Love the slow motion of the rain. And I really love the video you made of the butterfly. You’ve made me realize that once again, I’m not shooting enough video when I go out. And especially look at making video of the smaller creatures!

[@PhilThach]

Thank you, Jeff!

[@genevieveracine6102]

Bravo à vous deux pour vos photos. Vos expéditions sont toujours aussi captivantes 😊. Merci

[@PhilThach]

Merci beaucoup!

[@ronschuddeboomdigiscoping3693]

Thank you for sharing your first impressions with the a6700/200-600 combo. I am excited to see what your findings will be after using this combo in future video’s, especially AF in video. 😀👍

[@PhilThach]

Thank you! I'll be using this combination quite a bit in future videos but will also have plenty of Canon R7 content.

[@ForrestWest]

Nice shots guys! I think you're really going to enjoy the quality and colors you get from that Sony lens and it'll be a great combo with that 6700.

[@PhilThach]

Thank you, Forrest!

[@danham3344]

Really nice shots. The Osprey with talons forward……… WOW! I believe the butterfly is a Fritillary. 😊

[@PhilThach]

Thank you! :)

[@MrTmiket0007]

Thanks so much for sharing another wonderful video like always Phil and Heather, beautiful photos, keep up with the awesome content 🐦👍🤗

[@PhilThach]

Thank you, Miguel!

[@raygiemza3690]

Wonderful photography! Thanks, Phil and Heather!

[@PhilThach]

Thank you!

[@thomasphillips5850]

You both have some really nice shots here. I am lmpressed with the sony shots, excellent color and sharpness. I really liked the added reach of the sony. Good job guys , thanks

[@PhilThach]

Thank you, Thomas!

[@Traveling_Tiger11]

Beautiful

[@PhilThach]

Thank you!

[@gordon3988]

Very nicely done thought! Do you ever use this gear to make videos of birds etc? I take some photos, but prefer to share wildlife videos on line.

[@PhilThach]

Thank you! I do make some short video clips from time to time but I mostly concentrate on stills.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Nice work Phil and Heather. Good comparison to see both cameras work about the same in focus. A6700 has the 4k 120 which looks nice. The Sony ZVE1 had that too I used and I was impressed with it. 👍🙏

[@PhilThach]

Thank you, Adrian! I think this is the first camera I've used with 4k 120. It's pretty cool and gives my 24 fps timeline 20% slow motion speed. But 4k 60 gives me 40% which isn't bad and I have access to it on more cameras.

[@cesarm8811]

Nice photos Phil and Heather. Looking forward to more comparisons between the R7 and the A6700.

[@PhilThach]

Thank you!

[@MediterraneanBlood]

I've been watching hundreds of videos comparing apsc mirrorlesses since 1 year and at the end I went for a d500 500pf combo. No rolling shutter, no buffer problems, no need to sell your kidney to get a hq lens, no need to get an engineering degree to understand which af mode to use... anyway great shots, ciao from Italy!

[@PhilThach]

I will probably never get rid of my D500. I like to get it out from time to time. It helps me appreciate the newer cameras that I have and I enjoy making photos the old way from time to time. You are right, the newer cameras have not figured out how to have an endless buffer like the D500 had all the way back in 2016! As far as rolling shutter, you just turn on the mechanical shutter and rolling shutter goes away in these newer cameras so that's not really a problem. Thanks for watching and enjoy your D500. It's a great camera and that 500 PF is amazing!

[@martinhommel9967]

Great shots. Thanks for sharing.

[@PhilThach]

Thank you!

[@greccoox]

Wtf are those shots, supremeeeeeee ✨

[@PhilThach]

Thank you!

[@seanmbranch]

Incredible! Thanks for sharing

[@PhilThach]

Thank you!

[@russelltorres5276]

I'm impressed by both systems, Phil and Heather! Looks like my Nikon D500 and the 200-500mm combo's days are numbered. Lol

[@PhilThach]

Thank you! I still have my D500 and 200-500. That is a great combination. Sometimes, if I get frustrated with the newer gear, I shoot with the D500 to help me appreciate these cameras.

[@russelltorres5276]

@@PhilThach I'm sure that would be me, too! I have a difficult time getting rid of my older gear. I still have a D90 that I use occasionally with the 200-500. Makes me really appreciate the focusing capability of the D500. I can just imagine how much nicer the eye detection is on yours and Heather's combos. Good shooting!

[@johnmoffvideos]

congrats on the new camera Phil ! nice shots , although Heather's photos look a little better to me .

[@PhilThach]

Thank you, they usually do!

[@igors6155]

@@PhilThach i mean R7 image quality looks a little better than the a6700... whats your opinion ?

[@PhilThach]

@@igors6155 they both seem pretty good to me. Heather was shooting raw and I was shooting HEIF while I’m waiting for Adobe to add raw support for the a6700 in Lightroom. I’m not sure if that made any difference. But, I like the images coming out of both cameras.

[@johnmoffvideos]

@@PhilThach thank you Phil ! Enjoy your new camera !

[@Jay-sr8ge]

I sometimes like Heathers shots a little bit more, but in this video Phil's close up shots of the Heron blew me away!

[@nevcole9581]

I always find here in the UK that August is always quiet for birds, especially Passerines.

[@PhilThach]

Same here!

[@gfxmaniac]

Those colors from A6700 are great. It's kinda make sense to have both cameras.

[@PhilThach]

Thank you!

[@garykinard7553]

Great thanks for the hard work.

[@PhilThach]

Thank you!

[@stephanedemers2797]

Fantastic shots!

[@PhilThach]

Thank you!

[@simonthibodeau7082]

You have the best comparison video on yt of these two cameras on yt as of yet. Thank you so much! Hoping for a follow up, just subbed. Cheers!

[@PhilThach]

Thank you!

[@mden2490]

Thank you for a great video! I just received my a6700 on Saturday, and tried it out. As, you mentioned it's not a miracle, but coming from an a6400, the AI in the 6700 has definitely increased my shots being in focus/ or hit rate. I have found that the pictures that the a6700 are more sharp.

[@PhilThach]

Thank you! Are you doing wildlife and if so, what lens are you using?

[@mden2490]

@@PhilThach yes, I am doing bird/ wildlife photography. I am currently using the Sony 70-350 G lens. The 200-600 lens is nice, but quite expensive. Do you use tele converters at all? Was thinking about getting the 1.4x? would love to hear your thoughts? A sincere thank you for responding to my initial comment!

[@PhilThach]

@@mden2490 I've used Nikon and Canon TCs. Haven't tried a Sony TC yet. Nothing compares to actual millimeters in my opinion but a teleconverter can be pretty nice especially if you have plenty of light. They will also reduce the amount of light gathering by 1.4 times. I bought my 200-600 on sale for $1899 (regularly 1999) which I thought was a bargain. The Canon 100-500 Heather was using goes for $2899 but it's on sale now for $2699.

[@finnharvor6773]

That’s interesting re: the comparison with the a6400.

[@PatrickWithCamera]

@@mden2490 Sony tele converters are ok on full frame, but they are too bad quality for more dense in pixel aps-c sensor. I've sold my teleconverter, was not worth of quality loss and af performance with my a6700 and a6600.

[@Postosuchus]

Nice first impressions vid! While aside from improved video capabilities the A6700 is looking pretty comparable to the R7, that 200-600mm seems capable of fantastic images and thus seems a much better value than the overpriced RF 100-500. I’ll be interested in hearing your ongoing experiences with the ergonomics and portability of the two compared.

[@PhilThach]

Thank you! The Canon with the 100-500 is certainly the winner in the ergonomics and portability battle. I definitely noticed the extra weight of the 200-600. It wasn't terrible, but the lighter 100-500 and even the RF 800 f/11 lenses are very nice when hand-holding. Also, both of those lenses pack smaller than the 200-600.

[@maggnet4829]

​@@PhilThachOn Sony you can go for the Tamron 100-500, which would be the equivalent. It's even cheaper than the 200-600.

[@zegzbrutal]

And for Canon there's always the RF100-400 and Sigma EF 150-600

[@wellingtoncrescent2480]

Thanks for sharing some gorgeous shots. Though I generally prefer videos that emphasize birds over gear, this is also an interesting comparison of two competing set-ups. I look forward to seeing whether you have a long term preference.

[@PhilThach]

Thank you! My videos often appear to be about gear, but they are usually really about birds and Bird Photography.

[@wellingtoncrescent2480]

@@PhilThach I appreciate your "focus" on birds and habitats, which never fails to disappoint. Between you and Heather, the images are always stunning and the settings inspire me to seek out new birding vistas close to home. And while I understand that gear videos may attract more views, truth be told, I tend to skip them once I've purchased a camera and lens suite, since it's going to be some years before I consider a change. In this, I'm sure I'm not alone among amateur enthusiasts in your audience. Keep up the good work.

[@HarmonicGrunt]

Sir Your Shots Are Up There! ...No Doubt. I Own R7V5 & 6400 , your Shots Are On Par Sir!

[@PhilThach]

Thank you!

[@driveintonaturewithjoy]

Please speak more about Sony how it feels in hand, grip as compared to R7 how the video stabilization works, is it the same as R7 or not build quality of sony etc.... looking more from you😊 thanks for the video

[@PhilThach]

Thank you!

[@boomergrown]

Nice video man. Expecting my a6700 tomorrow. Looking forward to using my 200-600 on it. Probably use my 70-200 on my roughly 10 year old a6000. I used to shoot a lot of Great Blue Herrons, Bald Eagles, Roseate Spoosnbills, and Osprey down in FL on Blackpoint Wildlife Drive and Biolab Road near NASA. Haven't been there since I got better lenses than the 55-210 I had. Also looking forward to shooting some video and vlogging a bit with the a6700. You can't tell I'm impatient can you? lol

[@PhilThach]

Thank you and congrats! We go to the Blackpoint Wildlife drive once a year during our Disney trip. Haven't tried Biolab road but it sounds like I need to.

[@PatrickWithCamera]

After 4 months, how its going with a6700 and 200-600, good or bad experience?

[@BrasilOO7]

Hard work to get those nice and sharp photos.👍 The quality out of both cameras is high. I could not see any difference due to the sensor resolution. You, like me, are one of those who have lost their patience with Nikon😔. I have ordered an A6700 and I am eagerly waiting for the delivery by mid of August. The R7 may be more convenient for you and your work, for me the combination of size and performance was the decisive reason for choosing the new Sony. Good luck and I hope you will have better conditions during your next trip. ✌🤞

[@PhilThach]

Thank you! I hope you enjoy your new a6700!

[@NECPER]

Great work from you both and thanks for sharing. I am amazed to see your pictures from both camera systems. I am curious about your shooting distance and how much you crop the pictures in post. Best regards - Per from Denmark

[@PhilThach]

Thank you! Distance varies, some are cropped a lot, others not so much.

[@johnyperezgalano3979]

Buen trabajo mi amigo, te sigo hace ya tiempo y disfruto mucho tus videos. En mi modesta opinión me gustan mas las fofografias de la Canon R7, veo un colorido mas hermoso. Buen trabajo. Un abrazo.

[@PhilThach]

Gracias!

[@UnluckyNewbie]

Phil, thanks for video! I also have r7 and a9 but didn't have 200-600 lens! Is it possible to you to rent a9 for couple days and try it with your new 200-600? A9 have af better than a7-4, also you can test it's. 20 fps and no rolling shutter stacked sensor ! Big thanks Phil! Your opinion is very important for me ! Also it will be first video on KZbin to compare a9 vs a6700 for wildlife ! Used A9 costs as new A6700!

[@PhilThach]

Thank you! I'd love to shoot with an A9 at some point. I don't think it would be a great wildlife camera because of its comparatively low pixel density but I think it would be a great sports camera!

[@UnluckyNewbie]

@@PhilThach 24 mp - like r6 , r3 and r6mk2

[@PhilThach]

@@UnluckyNewbie exactly, in my opinion that is low resolution for wildlife and perfect for sports. That’s a great amount of megapixels for an APSC camera, but kind of low for full frame. It’s all about pixel density. The a6700 has the same pixel density as a 58.5 megapixel full frame camera. The R7 has the same pixel density as an 83.2 megapixel full frame camera.

[@UnluckyNewbie]

@@PhilThach but you will have much nicier background - bokeh on full frame

[@PhilThach]

@@UnluckyNewbie True, but for bird photography you are often wishing for more depth of field, not less so there's another plus for APSC on birds and full frame on sports.

[@ses4vols]

Great shots! I think that combo is a keeper! Are the Sony files "as-is" or did you run them through topaz de-noise? The file look really clean.

[@PhilThach]

Thank you! I did my normal edits like I was working with a raw file and not a HEIF, then ran them through topaz denoise AI.

[@orangeofmars2835]

This really is the choice for most of us: Sony a6700 with Sony 200-600 vs Canon R7 with Canon 100-500. I have the Tamron 150-500 that I use with my Sony a7RIV and would like more reach and want to upgrade my Sony a7c. The question for me is R7 body or Sony 6700 since the Sony 6700 has the AI autofocus.

[@PhilThach]

I find the auto-focus to be very similar between the two cameras. If you are already in the Sony system, I'd pick the a6700.

[@orangeofmars2835]

Thank you for the response. One more question I hope someone answers before I decide. The Canon R7 converted to FF MP is 843 MPs while the Sony a6700 converted to FF MPs is 59 MPs. Significant in favor of Canon R7? Maybe the 100mm advantage of Sony 200-600 makes it a wash.@@PhilThach

[@sabu5727]

@R7 win💯😮✨🔥👌🏻

[@riley56566]

Going to be purchasing either the sony a6700 or the canon eos r7, mainly for wildlife photography. What do you think is better after having used both? I kind of liked your images of the birds more but that dragon fly shot from heather looked gorgeous. Would be great to hear your opinion, thanks!

[@PhilThach]

The Canon RF 100-500 has a higher maximum magnification (0.33x) and makes a much better butterfly and dragonfly lens than the slightly less capable (0.2x) Sony 200-600. Both are great bird and bird in flight lenses. I'm getting pretty close to finishing my auto-focus comparison of these two cameras. I hope to release that video on September 20 and finally answer the question of which one I prefer for wildlife.

[@riley56566]

@@PhilThach Thank you for taking your time on the detailed response! I will await your video then. Looking forward to it. Thanks again.

[@Intothewildwithpraveen]

Hello..Great video 🙂.I am planning to buy a6700.I already have a sigma 150- 600 mm contemporary lens canon mount.Please let me know if it supports sony a6700 with sigma mc 11 adaptor. Thank you so much !!! 🙏

[@PhilThach]

Thank you! I don’t know the answer to that question because I don’t have that lens or that adapter. I have friends who have that adapter and I know they have success with genuine Canon lenses but I’m not sure about third-party.

[@adragon3210]

Great photos. I have a question if I may for Heather dealing with the R7, in her bird flight shots was she using auto iso or manual?

[@PhilThach]

Thank you! We both used Auto ISO and dialed in exposure with exposure compensation.

[@adragon3210]

Ahh ok thank you for your reply. I wonder what im doing wrong with my R7 becouse I never get iso so low when I have it on auto. Anyway as I said great shots and look forward to next vid

[@maxiguppy]

Hello! Great video. Was the osprey ok after colision with fishing line? Does a6700 have af in 4k 120 fps?

[@PhilThach]

Thank you! The Osprey was fine, it flew off with the fish. The a6700 does have autofocus in 4k 120fps mode.

[@raygiemza3690]

Phil, What type of exposure setting did you use when you capured the Osprey against the sky? Thanks!

[@PhilThach]

Manual aperture and shutter speed, Auto ISO controlled with exposure compensation. Usually plus 1 & 1/3 stops.

[@raygiemza3690]

@@PhilThach Many thanks!

[@robertschwarz8702]

Just wondering why the switch to Sony. I am selling my R6m2 and replacing it with the 6700, its on order with the 18-135 kit lens. The reason?, third party lens support and a selection of crop lenses. But I'm keeping my R7, so ill have both.

[@PhilThach]

I did not switch to Sony. I added Sony to the fleet. I felt like I needed to know what it was like to shoot with all three of the major brands and so now I am invested in all three. Canon not having third-party lenses did not really bother me that much, and then I bought the sigma 18-50 F 2.8 for APS C Sony and love it. Then I bought the SamYang 35-150 F2 -2.8 and that lens amazing especially for the money. So maybe there is something to be said about Canon not allowing third-party glass.

[@robertschwarz8702]

@@PhilThach with further thought I decided to sell all my Canon. I can replace the RF 100-500 with a Tamron 150-500 for less than half the money even after taking a bath selling the RF on the used market.

[@joyadams507]

Great video!! How many FPS does the Canon shoot?

[@PhilThach]

Thank you, Joy. The Canon R7 can do 30 FPS in electronic and 15 in mechanical shutter. Heather was shooting in the medium electronic speed which is 15. My new Sony does 11 FPS in either mechanical or electronic shutter mode.

[@jlm300185]

Hi Phil great video as usual Which is better in terms of AF a6700 or the R7?

[@PhilThach]

Honestly, they are about the same.

[@Jay-sr8ge]

@@PhilThach I'm happy to hear that because I sold my R7 to get an a6700 so that I can pair it with a 200-600 instead of splurging for the 100-500

[@psd58]

Nice video as always, I have a question, how does the Canon R7 perform in the rainy weather since it's not weather or dust sealed? I think this is the only thing preventing me from buying one. Thanks.

[@PhilThach]

Thank you! There R7 does fine in a light rain. When I dropped my first one in a creek, it did not do well, and I imagine the same would be true for a weather and dust sealed R3.

[@psd58]

@@PhilThach Thanks Phil

[@davepastern]

congrats on the a6700 Phil. You are correct, cameras aren't perfect. My R3 has a poor success rate with BIFs heading directly at me (this is with eye AF, yet to test with zone AF + AF tracking). Note: I am using a mark 1 500f4, so AF may not be top notch with the R3 with this older lens. Lovely BIF shots. I wish the Ospreys would come close to me (we have a local government funded environmental centre named "Osprey house" about 1.5 hours drive away from where I live - there's a mated pair there that nest on a purpose built mast). When they do come close, it's either poor wing display, or the bird isn't looking at me or the damn images are OOF.

[@PhilThach]

Thank you! I borrowed a friend's R3 for a few hours last year and I found its autofocus to be superior to both the a6700 and the R7 but not vastly.

[@davepastern]

@@PhilThach I haven't used the R7 Phil, but from what I have read, the R3 is meant to be "stickier". I'm still a newbie to photographing birds (16 months now) so still learning. edit: what AF setup is Heather using for her BIF shots?

[@heidismerek4163]

I have to ask, what camera do you like best the canon r7 or the Sony a6700?

[@PhilThach]

It’s definitely too early for me to have made that decision.

[@heidismerek4163]

@@PhilThach I can definitely understand that.

[@RickMcCulleyPhotography]

How do you like the Sony compared to the r7? Dan is really making me want one lol

[@PhilThach]

It's too early to pick a favorite. He told me the other day you were considering getting one.

[@RickMcCulleyPhotography]

That blue heron with a fish looked great. The colors looked a little better than the Canon did, I thought .. yes, I'm about ready to order it.

[@gilbertpc805]

I cant make up my mind between these to cameras as my first camera. Strictly for photos. Whats your recommendation?

[@PhilThach]

That’s a great question! They both have very similar strengths and weaknesses. The Sony is a little bit cheaper and the lenses to use with it are definitely cheaper. Both are great cameras.

[@ezekielkok1848]

How’s the battery life comparing both cameras? Which would you recommend?

[@PhilThach]

Both cameras do really well in terms of battery life. I like the battery gauge better on the Sony. It gives you an exact percentage of battery life left instead of a four bar gauge to guess from.

[@jameiealehandro]

how is th noice on the a6700 ?

[@PhilThach]

It is there but not excessive in most situations. It's on par with other APSC cameras.

[@harry54ck]

I heard that Sony FX30 has inaccurate green color rendition which is noticeable on trees. Since a6700 shares the same sensor, it may be visible here. Can someone approve or deny this experience?

[@PhilThach]

Colors seem fine to me including greens.

[@toxotis70]

Which one has better/bigger evf ?

[@PhilThach]

The resolution is virtually the same, the size of the screen appears to be a little smaller in the Sony.

[@markattardo]

👍👍

[@PhilThach]

Thank you!

[@smguk2412]

Canon is always better than Sony

[@mbismbismb]

I agree…