Youth sports can be some of the most rewarding subjects to photograph.
They can also be some of the hardest.
The action changes direction constantly, players move quickly across a large field, and the best moments aren’t always the obvious ones. A celebration on the bench, a quick look between teammates, or a quiet moment before the next play can end up being just as meaningful as the goal itself.
That’s where the right combination of reach, autofocus and portability can make a real difference.
In this Sony Alpha Universe feature, sports photographer Verity Griffin takes the Sony a6700 and the SEL100-400 lens to the sidelines of a youth soccer game to see how the compact APS-C body and long telephoto zoom perform in a real-world setting.
What stands out is not just the ability to follow fast-moving action. It’s the freedom to stay in one place, cover a large portion of the field, react quickly to smaller human moments and still remain present enough to actually enjoy the game.
For parents, emerging sports photographers and anyone who spends weekends beside a rink, field or court, this is a great look at how a lightweight camera and telephoto setup can make youth sports photography easier, more flexible and a lot more enjoyable.
Sony Alpha Universe Repost: Youth Sport with Sony’s a6700 and the SEL100400
Created by Verity Griffin
Sport and photography appeal to me for the same reason: both encourage the pursuit of personal excellence through connection. Connecting with yourself to push your own limits.
Connecting with your subject or teammate to bring out the best in them. Connecting with community for the simple joy of it. Nowhere is that more on display than in youth sport. From hero shots to quiet moments, these games are full of opportunities for capturing memorable imagery.
So when Sony reached out to lend me the a6700 and their new SEL100400 lens to try at a youth soccer game, I was delighted to get back to the sidelines.
As a sports photographer, I need gear that can cover the whole field. But when I’m photographing family and friends, I also want to stay present and enjoy the game. What I loved about this combination was that it let me do both.
The 100–400mm gave me excellent reach across the field. I could essentially stay in one position for a full half and take in the game without missing key moments. At 400mm, the optical stabilization helped keep the view steady, letting me capture little moments and expressions all the way at the far end. No changing lenses. No abandoning a conversation to chase down a shot.
If you follow my work – whether I’m photographing youth sport or the NHL – you’ll know it’s the quiet, human moments that have always appealed to me most. I love the little expressions and details drawn from the lesser places – the nooks and crannies of the game. These kinds of images are not only the ones I treasure, but they always transport me back to how it felt to be there. The SEL100400 lens gave me a lot of options for grabbing these kinds of images.
It’s zoom range enabled me to quickly respond to an interaction unfolding on the bench or quietly capture still frames without interrupting the moment.
It was also just really easy to get high quality images. The a6700 has a new image sensor, and the latest in recognition and autofocus capabilities with AI processing. Combined with the lens’ fast autofocus, I really noticed how the camera locked onto the player I wanted, even when play changed direction or my view was obstructed.
The video capability was great. As someone who primarily shoots stills, I found the video features incredibly user-friendly. After a couple quick tests, I felt confident using these features and inspired to grab more motion to compliment my stills coverage of a game.
And because it’s so light and compact, it was a pleasure to hold, even after hours on the sideline.
The a6700 and the SEL100400 enabled me walk away with great shots, all while taking in the game and enjoying what youth sport is truly about for me – connection. This is a combination I’d happily pack in my bag and take to the sidelines again.
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