Does this new Sony SLT model offer anything sufficiently compelling to warrant the novice user's attention? Matt Golowczynski finds out

Product Overview

Sony Alpha 68

Features:70%
Build/Handling:80%
Metering:80%
Autofocus:90%
AWB colour:80%
Dynamic Range:80%
Image Quality:80%
LCD Viewfinder:70%

Pros:

  • - Excellent AF system
  • - Comfortable handling
  • - Inclusion of a top-plate LCD

Cons:

  • - Poor quality LCD screen
  • - Shutter release over-sensitive
  • - Noise reduction reduces details

Product:

Sony Alpha 68 review

Manufacturer:

Price as reviewed:

£479.00 (Body only)

Sony Alpha 68 review – Features

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As with all Sony’s previous SLT and DSLR models, the Alpha 68 is based around the same A-mount system that the company inherited from Minolta. This means the camera will accept both Sony’s own A-mount lenses and older Minolta designs, as well as a raft of third-party options.

The camera is based around a 24.2-million-pixel Exmor APS-C sensor, with a native sensitivity range of ISO 100-25,600. This is possibly the same sensor as that found inside the Alpha 77 II. More interestingly, though, is that the 4D focus system from the Alpha 77 II has made it to the Alpha 68, so it is unusually well specified for a model aimed at a junior audience.

At its best, the Alpha 68 produces detailed, vibrant images. This image was shot with the 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G SSM telephoto zoom at ISO 320

At its best, the Alpha 68 produces detailed, vibrant images. This image was shot with the 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G SSM telephoto zoom at ISO 320

Alongside the usual claims about prompt focus, Sony says the system can accurately predict subjects as they move around the scene, on the basis of their position and movement in three dimensions. This is made possible thanks to the 79 phase-detect AF points that are closely spaced and include 15 cross points for enhanced sensitivity.

Burst shooting is available at a very respectable 5fps with raw shooting enabled. Select the continuous advance priority AE option on the mode dial and this  increases to 8fps, although this mode crops into the centre of the frame and outputs images as six-million-pixel JPEGs. However, AF tracking is maintained throughout.

The camera’s 1.44-million-dot Tru-Finder electronic viewfinder is, sadly, one feature that has been downgraded from the Alpha 65, which has a 2.36-million-dot OLED panel. However, arguably more disappointing is the 460,000-dot resolution of the Alpha 68’s 2.7in tiltable LCD screen. In addition, the absence of Wi-Fi, while not exactly critical, is also surprising.

  1. 1. Sony Alpha 68 review - Introduction
  2. 2. Sony Alpha 68 review - Features
  3. 3. Sony Alpha 68 review - Build and handling
  4. 4. Sony Alpha 68 review - Performance
  5. 5. Sony Alpha 68 review - Resolution, dynamic range and noise
  6. 6. Sony Alpha 68 review - Verdict
  7. 7. Sony Alpha 68 review - Full specification
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