Sony · Alpha

Alpha 68

Released March 2016

A 24.2 MP APS-C A-mount camera with a translucent mirror, 79-point phase-detection autofocus and a top status display.

Type: Translucent mirror
Sensor: APS-C
Megapixels: 24.2
Lens: Sony A-mount
Video: 1920 × 1080 at 30 fps
Body weight: 596 g

What reviewers say

Both reviews praised autofocus, handling and image quality, while finding the small screen limiting. PhotographyBlog considered it good value compared with the A77 II. Amateur Photographer was more cautious: it criticised the hollow-feeling plastic finish, soft kit lens and loss of subtle detail from high-ISO noise reduction.

From photographyblog.com and amateurphotographer.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Image and sensor

Camera type: Translucent mirror
Sensor format: APS-C
Sensor type: Exmor CMOS
Sensor dimensions: 23.5 × 15.6 mm
Effective resolution: 24.2 MP
Largest image: 6000 × 4000
RAW recording: Yes
Standard ISO range: 100–25600
Sensor detail: 24.8 million total photosites; fixed translucent mirror directs light to the dedicated phase-detection AF sensor while the imaging sensor supplies live view
Image formats: JPEG Extra Fine/Fine/Standard, RAW (Sony ARW 2.3) and RAW+JPEG; 3:2 or 16:9 stills
ISO detail: Standard still-image ISO 100–25600; movie ISO 100–12800
Image processor: BIONZ X

Lens and shooting

Lens mount: Sony A-mount
Stabilisation: Sensor shift
Maximum continuous burst: 5 fps
Lens detail: Sony, Minolta and Konica Minolta A-mount AF lenses; photograph shows the optional DT 18–55mm F3.5–5.6 SAM II kit lens
Autofocus: 79 dedicated phase-detection points including 15 cross sensors and a central F2.8 sensor; AF-S, AF-A, AF-C and manual focus; EV −2–18 at ISO 100; Eye AF, Eye-Start AF, Lock-on AF and expanded flexible spot
Shutter: 1/4000–30 seconds and Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second; selectable electronic first curtain
Burst detail: Full-resolution continuous shooting up to 5 fps Hi or 2.5 fps Lo. Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE reaches 8 fps with a crop to approximately 6 MP JPEG (PhotographyBlog and Amateur Photographer)
Stabilisation detail: SteadyShot INSIDE sensor shift for stills; electronic stabilisation for movies
Flash: Built-in flash, guide number 12 metres at ISO 100 with 16 mm coverage; Multi Interface Shoe
Exposure controls: PASM, automatic, scene, panorama and memory-recall modes; 1200-zone metering; ±5 EV compensation in 1/3 or 1/2 steps; D-Range Optimizer and Auto HDR

Video

Highest video resolution: 1920 × 1080 at 30 fps
Video detail: XAVC S Full HD at 30p/25p depending on region, or 24p, at 50 Mbps. AVCHD Full HD at 60i/50i or 24p/25p, at approximately 24 or 17 Mbps; no Full HD 50p/60p. MP4 up to 1440 × 1080 at 12 Mbps. Main frame rate reflects the highest published progressive regional setting
Audio: Built-in stereo microphone and mono playback speaker; 3.5 mm microphone input

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: Electronic
Screen size: 2.7″
Screen dots: 460,800
Tilting screen: Yes
Display detail: Approximately 135° upward and 55° downward tilt; backlit top status display
Viewfinder detail: 0.39-type OLED Tru-Finder with 1,440,000 dots and 100% coverage; approximately 0.88× magnification with a 50 mm lens, equivalent to 0.57× on full frame

Connections and design

Wi-Fi: No
Battery life (maker's claim): 580 photographs
Body weight: 596 g
Release detail: Sony Denmark specifies March 2016 retail availability; the USA and Canada announcement specifies April 2016
Recording media: Single slot for SD/SDHC/SDXC including UHS-I, Memory Stick PRO Duo, PRO-HG Duo or XC-HG Duo
Ports: Multi/Micro USB terminal, micro HDMI Type D, 3.5 mm microphone input, DC input and Multi Interface Shoe
Wireless connections: No Wi-Fi (Amateur Photographer)
Battery life detail: NP-FM500H; current Sony support claim up to 580 photographs
Charging: Supplied BC-VM10A external battery charger
Dimensions: Approximately 142.6 × 104.2 × 80.9 mm (width × height × depth)
Weight detail: Current Sony support specifies approximately 596 g body only or 675 g with battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo. The earlier Danish announcement lists 610 g/690 g
Colours: Black
In the box: NP-FM500H battery, BC-VM10A charger, power lead, shoulder strap, Micro USB cable, body cap, eyepiece cup and shoe cap; lens depends on kit

Pros and cons

Pros

Dedicated phase-detection autofocus for stills and movies
Sensor-shift still-image stabilisation
Top status display and customisable controls

Cons

Fastest 8 fps mode crops the image
Small 2.7-inch screen

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyAlpha 77 II	Translucent mirror	APS-C	24.3	Sony A-mount	1920 × 1080 at 60 fps	647 g	May 2014
SonyAlpha SLT-A58	Translucent mirror	APS-C	20.1	Sony A-mount	1920 × 1080 at 30 fps	492 g	Apr 2013
SonyAlpha 99 II	Translucent mirror	Full frame	42.4	Sony A-mount	3840 × 2160 at 30 fps	770 g	Nov 2016

Sources

Photo: photos.prnewswire.com

Spot a mistake? Tell us