Sony Alpha 68 review – Resolution, dynamic range and noise

Resolution

The Alpha 68 does well to resolve around 3,400l/ph at its base ISO, although this drops to 3,100l/ph at the ISO 200 setting. The camera manages to maintain a good performance up to ISO 1,600, but by ISO 25,600 resolution falls down to 2,400l/ph. The similar performance to the Alpha 77 II’s sensor strongly suggests the two are closely related.

JPEG ISO 100

JPEG ISO 400

JPEG ISO 1,600

JPEG ISO 6,400

JPEG ISO 12,800

JPEG ISO 25,600

Dynamic range

Results here are in line with what’s expected at the Alpha 68’s base sensitivity of ISO 100, with just under 12EV stops of dynamic range. Performance drops at a reasonably consistent pace as sensitivity increases, largely mirroring that of rival models. While results are far from class leading at higher sensitivities, they’re not so far behind to cause any concern.

Noise

Noise rises steadily through the camera’s sensitivity range, beginning to appear at ISO 400 in moderate lighting and becoming increasingly visible past this point. Fine detail begins to blur at ISO 1,600 due to noise reduction, but images maintain their integrity well in the four-figure range. However, quality drops noticeably at ISO 12,800 as noise begins to take hold.

RAW ISO 100

RAW ISO 400

RAW ISO 1,600

RAW ISO 6,400

RAW ISO 12,800

RAW ISO 25,600