Sony a68 Mirrorless Camera Review

Sony’s Alpha a68 DSLR Camera, which delivers many of the capabilities found in larger, more expensive models but in a more compact and well-designed package, helps to make entry-level DSLR cameras more desirable.

The introduction of a 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor and the BIONZ X engine, which combine their powers to generate highly detailed photos at sensitivities up to ISO 25600 and at continuous rates up to 8 frames per second, are two of the most significant increases in image quality to date.

Additionally, the usage of Sony’s Translucent Mirror Technology allows for continuous autofocus to be maintained throughout shooting, which is even more important now that the 4D FOCUS system has been included in this model.

This technology is both fast and precise, thanks to a large number of phase-detect AF points, including 15 cross-type points, that can operate at low light levels as low as -2 EV.

SteadyShot INSIDE, which provides sensor-shift type image stabilization to reduce the impacts of camera shaking, has been shown to improve image quality.

Additionally, because it does not rely on lens designs to provide image stabilization, this in-body technology is compatible with all A-mount lenses and is, therefore, more versatile.

Additionally, the a68 can record Full HD 1080p video at 30 frames per second utilizing the efficient XAVC S codec at a bit rate of 50 Mbps, which is ideal for high-quality filmmaking applications.

Additionally, because of the usage of Translucent Mirror Technology, video offers precise and quick continuous tracking autofocus (AF) capabilities.

The inclusion of a top display screen and a rear control wheel has resulted in a significant improvement in the overall body design, making viewing and adjusting settings much more straightforward.

There are a variety of choices for putting together photographs, including a 0.39 “With a resolution of 1,440k dots, the OLED Tru-Finder provides real-time imagery with vibrant color and contrast. The 2.7-inch screen provides a bigger viewing area “A back LCD with 460.8k dots is offered, and it can be tilted up or down to accommodate working in awkward shooting situations.

Sensor resolution of 24.2MP APS-C Exmor R with BIONZ X Image Processor

When used in conjunction, the 24.2MP, APS-C-sized Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor and BIONZ X image processor deliver high resolution, finely detailed pictures with little noise, excellent low-light performance, and sensitivity up to ISO 25600.

An on-chip lens design with no gaps between nearby pixels is used in the sensor, which fills the spaces between neighboring pixels with tailored lenses that match the angle of incidence to boost light-collecting capabilities while maintaining edge-to-edge clarity and quality. When working at smaller apertures, detail reproduction technology works to improve the fine detail rendering capabilities of the lens, resulting in a more three-dimensional, realistic image quality.

Diffraction-reducing technology works to improve the optical qualities of any lens by suppressing diffraction, which is common when working at smaller apertures. The BIONZ X processor also helps the camera system’s overall performance, which includes a maximum continuous shooting rate of 8 frames per second and full HD 1080p video recording at a variety of frame rates.

Translucent Mirror Technology is a term used to describe a type of transparent mirror.

Translucent Mirror Technology is a design that allows the mirror to continually guide light to both image and autofocus sensors, allowing for continuous phase- and contrast-detection focusing for rapid and precise performance while maintaining a low level of reflection.

A number of shooting features are aided by the reduction in camera speed gained by eliminating the need for a swinging mirror, including the fast continuous shooting rate, continuous focusing when shooting movies, and working in continuous shooting modes.

The camera also benefits from the use of a high-resolution electronic viewfinder for real-time monitoring at eye level.

Image Stabilization INSIDE the Camera Using SteadyShot

When shooting still photos, the SteadyShot INSIDE sensor-shift type image stabilization helps to eliminate the appearance of camera shake with any mounted lens, with the results evident in both the electronic viewfinder and the rear LCD panel. When shooting video, electronic image stabilization can be used to lessen the amount of wobble in the footage.

AF System with 79 Points of Wide Coverage

Providing an excellent complement to the imaging capabilities, the camera’s phase-detection autofocus system, in conjunction with Translucent Mirror Technology, delivers fast and full-time continuous focusing performance that is suitable for working in virtually any environment, even in low-light conditions as low as -2EV.

With its large 79-point AF point array, which includes 15 cross-type points in the center of the picture frame for improved precision in the most often utilized region of the image frame, the camera excels at tracking moving subjects.

In addition, a horizontal f/2.8 AF point is situated in the center of the array and overlaps another AF point in order to better enable the usage of lenses with big apertures.

Additionally, an improved flexible spot function makes use of eight focus points surrounding a chosen point to keep the focus on moving subjects if the primary, picked point loses focus. This feature is particularly useful for subject tracking.

In order to fine-tune the image, even more, a variety of different autofocus settings may be selected based on the topic.

When shooting portraits, Eye AF prioritizes the subject’s pupil and dedicates focusing performance to it; Lock-on AF is a dedicated focusing method for use with moving subjects that adjusts the target frame size as the subject moves throughout the image frame, and AF Range Control allows users to select a dedicated focusing distance range for faster performance and greater accuracy. For more information, visit www.canon.com/usa/resources/faq/.

Additionally, the five-step AF Tracking Duration feature allows you to customize the focus speed and performance dependent on the scene type and subject matter you’re working with.

Full-HD video recording is available.

Both 30 and 24-frame-per-second video recordings are available for full HD 1080p video recording, allowing you to create high-resolution videos with a smooth, cinematic appearance. XAVC S format with AVCHD codec support is used to record high-definition movies in high quality at 50 Mbps.

The MP4 format is used to record films in lower-resolution resolutions such as 1440×1080, 1280×720, and 640×480, which are more suitable for sharing on the Internet. When recording in AVCHD, audio is recorded in the AC-3 Dolby Digital format, and an optional external microphone may be used to improve the sound quality of the recording by replacing the built-in stereo microphone with a higher-quality external microphone.

Additionally, audio levels may be checked and modified while the recording is taking place for even greater precision.

Tilting LCD Screen with OLED Tru-Finder and Tilting LCD Screen

Both a high-resolution electronic viewfinder and a rear tilting LCD panel have been included into the camera’s design for picture monitoring and analysis.

The XGA OLED Tru-Finder has a 0.39-inch diagonal display “The EVF has a resolution of 1,440k dots and delivers 100 percent frame coverage while maintaining a high eyepoint, a wide viewing angle, and accurate color representation.

Because of the Translucent Mirror Technology, this viewfinder may be utilized at any time and provides real-time monitoring of changes to the exposure, Picture Effects, and focus settings of the photograph.

A 2.7-megapixel camera is recommended for larger-scale monitoring “A 460.8k-dot LCD monitor is also available, and it has a tilting design that makes it easier to operate from both high and low angles. Users may tilt the device upwards 135 degrees and downwards 55 degrees thanks to the tilting design.

Design of the Body

The image components are protected by a tough casing that includes a control dial on the back and front, as well as a top control panel for rapid access to the camera’s configuration options.

While a Memory Recall function on the mode dial allows you to recall up to three different sets of exposure settings, the camera has ten separate customizable buttons that may be used to handle a broad variety of assignable functions.

Additionally, a Multi-Interface Shoe has been built into the camera’s architecture to allow for the usage of optional external flashes as well as compatibility for a variety of peripherals such as video lights and external microphones, among other things.

Additional Camera Functions

  • When used in multi-segment, center-weighted, or spot metering modes, an innovative 1200-zone evaluative exposure metering sensor produces consistent and precise results.
  • The Eye AF function will lock onto the subject’s eyes and track them throughout the shooting process, ensuring that portraits are always crisp and clear.
  • Auto Object Framing is an intelligent photography option that can automatically evaluate a scene and the subjects included within it in order to establish an artistically attractive composition to capture it. In the next images, the subject matter will be cropped in accordance with the composition, resulting in a well-balanced composition that makes use of Face Detection and Tracking Focus to ensure great picture quality and clarity throughout.
  • Clear Image Zoom may be used to magnify the center of scenes by two times, allowing any focal length lens to be utilized to effectively increase the reach of the lens. This digital zoom technique makes use of a sophisticated interpolation procedure to reduce the degree of picture deterioration, resulting in realistic and high-quality images that are easy to read.
  • When using Multi-Frame NR, a series of sequential photos with a lower ISO sensitivity are recorded and then composited into one single image, which results in better effective sensitivity with the smallest amount of image noise. Standard picture compositing consists of four exposures, whereas High image compositing makes use of a total of twelve different exposures.
  • Creative Style controls how the camera processes photographs depending on six distinct established styles: Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, and B&W. Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, and B&W. Individual preferences may be accommodated through the use of contrast, saturation, and sharpness adjustments within these parameters.
  • In photographs with backlit figures or situations with strong contrast, the Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO) works to improve the quality of the image by bringing out details that might otherwise be lost in shadows or highlights. This mode may be regulated automatically or fine-tuned with the help of five different configuration options.

Sony a68 Specs

MSRP€600 (body only), €700 (with 18-55mm lens)
Body typeMid-size SLR
Max resolution6000 x 4000
Other resolutions3:2 (4240 x 2832, 3008 x 2000), 16:9 (6000 x 3376, 4240 x 2400, 3008 x 1688)
Image ratio w:h3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels24 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors25 megapixels
Sensor sizeAPS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor typeCMOS
ProcessorBionz X
ISOAuto, 100-25600
White balance presets9
Custom white balanceYes (3 slots)
Image stabilizationSensor-shift
Uncompressed formatRAW
JPEG quality levelsSuper fine, fine, normal
AutofocusContrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousFace DetectionLive View
Digital zoomYes (1.4x – 8x)
Manual focusYes
Number of focus points79
Lens mountSony/Minolta Alpha
Focal length multiplier1.5×
Articulated LCDTilting
Screen size2.7″
Screen dots460,800
Touch screenNo
Screen typeTFT LCD
Live viewYes
Viewfinder typeElectronic
Viewfinder coverage100%
Viewfinder magnification0.88× (0.59× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder resolution1,440,000
Minimum shutter speed30 sec
Maximum shutter speed1/4000 sec
Aperture priorityYes
Shutter priorityYes
Manual exposure modeYes
Subject / scene modesYes
Built-in flashYes
Flash range12.00 m (at ISO 100)
External flashYes (via hot shoe)
Flash modesFlash off, Auto, Fill-flash, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction, Rear sync, Wireless, High Speed sync
Continuous drive8.0 fps
Self-timerYes (Yes (2 or 12 sec))
Metering modesMultiCenter-weightedSpot
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 BracketingYes (3 shots, low/high selectable)
Resolutions1920 x 1080 (60i, 30p, 24p), 1440 x 1080, 640 x 480
FormatMPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Videography notesSupports XAVC S with 50Mbps bit rate (30p, 24p)
MicrophoneStereo
SpeakerMono
Storage typesSD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
USBUSB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMIYes (micro HDMI)
Microphone portYes
Headphone portNo
Remote controlYes (wired or smartphone)
Environmentally sealedNo
BatteryBattery Pack
Battery descriptionNP-FM500H lithium-ion battery and charger
Weight (inc. batteries)610 g (1.34 lb / 21.52 oz)
Dimensions143 x 104 x 81 mm (5.63 x 4.09 x 3.19″)
Orientation sensorYes
GPSNone

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