Sony a68 Review

The new Sony A68 is an interchangeable lens camera that uses Sony’s Translucent Mirror Technology to allow for rapid shooting while simultaneously reducing the size of the camera’s body.

The 24.2 megapixels A68 is equipped with a burst shooting speed of up to 8 frames per second, the ability to record 1080p Full HD movies in the XAVC Sv format, a 79-point auto-focus system that includes 15 cross points, and a dedicated F2.8 AF sensor point, in-body image stabilization, a 2.7-inch tilting LCD, an XGA OLED electronic viewfinder with 2359k dot resolution, a top backlit LCD,

When compared to a conventional DSLR camera, a camera that utilizes Translucent Mirror Technology has a translucent mirror that is fixed in place. This mirror divides the optical pathway between the primary image sensor and a separate phase-detection autofocus sensor. 

Additionally, the camera’s mechanical design is more straightforward, which enables it to be more compact. The body only of the Sony A68 may be purchased for $599 in the United States and £480 in the United Kingdom.

Sony a68 Build Quality.

The Sony A68 has an appearance comparable to that of the company’s flagship A77 II model. However, the A68 replaces the traditional optical viewfinder with an electronic one and employs a fixed semi-translucent mirror instead of the moving non-translucent mirror found in a DSLR camera.

Because the mirror of the A68 is translucent, sufficient light can pass through it to the sensor, which enables the sensor to remain fixed at all times. In addition, the mirror can reflect some of the light onto a phase-detection auto-focus array located at the top of the A68 body.

Because of this combination, even while recording video, the A68 can offer focusing speeds comparable to those of a full-time DSLR; additionally, it has an excellent Live View system that provides 100% coverage of the scene and a respectably fast continuous shooting rate of 8 frames per second, all while being physically smaller and lighter than a comparable DSLR.

The Sony A68 has dimensions of 142.6 x 104.2 x 82.8 millimeters and weighs 596 grams. It has dimensions that are comparable to those of the A77 II. Even though it has a plastic body, the A68 is a sturdy piece of equipment; nonetheless, it does not have the same level of weatherproofing as the more costly A77 II.

Sony a68 Image Quality

During this evaluation, the Sony A68 captured photographs of very high Quality. The ISO range of the Sony A68 is extensive, reaching up to 25600. ISO 100–800 are noise-free, while ISO 1600 and 3200 offer more than satisfactory results. Furthermore, ISO 12800 and 25600 are suitable for usage in an emergency.

However, the RAW examples show how much processing the camera undertakes by default since they are significantly noisier than their JPEG counterparts across the board, regardless of the ISO value.

The night shot turned out well thanks to the camera’s maximum shutter speed of 30 seconds and its Bulb mode, which allow lots of room for creative experimentation during nighttime shooting. In addition, the built-in SteadyShot anti-shake feature performs quite well, shooting at slower shutter speeds while holding the camera by hand.

A practical Dynamic Range Optimizer function will extract additional data from an image’s shadow and highlight sections without adding any noise or other artifacts that aren’t intended.

The High Dynamic Range mode combines the results of two separate images taken at various exposures into a single image. The result is an image that has a higher dynamic range than what would be produced by a single photograph. However, it does yield some excellent effects even though it can only function with JPEGs and stationary subjects.

Even after all these years, they are using Sony’s Sweep Panorama, which is still a delightful experience. In addition, picture Effects offer a quick and simple method for modifying the JPEG photographs produced by the camera. At the same time, the Creative Styles enable you to develop unique looks quickly, which would require you to spend a significant amount of time in the digital darkroom.

Sony a68 Specs

Body type	Mid-size SLR
Max resolution	6000 x 4000
Other resolutions	3:2 (4240 x 2832, 3008 x 2000), 16:9 (6000 x 3376, 4240 x 2400, 3008 x 1688)
Image ratio w h	3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels	24 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors	25 megapixels
Sensor size	APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor type	CMOS
Processor	Bionz X
ISO	Auto, 100-25600
White balance presets	9
Custom white balance	Yes (3 slots)
Image stabilization	Sensor-shift
Uncompressed format	RAW
JPEG quality levels	Super fine, fine, normal
Autofocus	Contrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousFace DetectionLive View.
Digital zoom	Yes (1.4x – 8x)
Manual focus	Yes
Number of focus points	79
Lens mount	Sony/Minolta Alpha
Focal length multiplier	1.5×
Articulated LCD	Tilting
Screen size	2.7″
Screen dots	460,800
Touch screen	No
Screen type	TFT LCD
Live View	Yes
Viewfinder type	Electronic
Viewfinder coverage	100%
Viewfinder magnification	0.88× (0.59× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder resolution	1,440,000
Minimum shutter speed	30 sec
Maximum shutter speed	1/4000 sec
Aperture priority	Yes
Shutter priority	Yes
Manual exposure mode	Yes
Subject/scene modes	Yes
Built-in flash	Yes
Flash Range	12.00 m (at ISO 100)
External flash	Yes (via hot shoe)
Flash modes	Flash off, Auto, Fill-flash, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync.
Continuous drive	8.0 fps
Self-timer	Yes (Yes (2 or 12 sec))
Metering modes	MultiCenter-weighted spot
Exposure compensation	±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
AE Bracketing	±3 (3, 5 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV, 2 EV steps)
WB Bracketing	Yes (3 shots, low/high selectable)
Resolutions	1920 x 1080 (60i, 30p, 24p), 1440 x 1080, 640 x 480
Format	MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Videography notes	Supports XAVC S with 50Mbps bit rate (30p, 24p)
Microphone	Stereo
Speaker	Mono
Storage types	SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
USB	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI	Yes (micro HDMI)
Microphone port	Yes
Headphone port	No
Remote control	Yes (wired or smartphone)
Environmentally sealed	No
Battery	Battery Pack
Battery description	NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery and charger
Weight (inc. batteries)	610 g (1.34 lb / 21.52 oz)
Dimensions	143 x 104 x 81 mm (5.63 x 4.09 x 3.19″)
Orientation sensor	Yes
GPS	None

Sony a68 Conclusion

The auto-focusing capability of the Sony A68 is on par with that of the top-of-the-line A77 II camera, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking for an alternative to a DSLR in the mid-range price bracket.

The 24.2 APS-C sensor also produces exceptionally high-quality images for the camera. Although the A68 applies some rather substantial noise reduction to keep the files clean, as indicated by the considerably noisier RAW photos, noise doesn’t appear until ISO 1600 for JPEGs, and even the fastest settings prove to be perfectly acceptable.

Getting the most out of the A68 is made more accessible because of its many creative effects, including HDR, Dynamic Range Optimisation, innovative styles, image effects, and the tried-and-true sweep panorama modes.

Sony a68 FAQs