Photography

Sony introduces the entry-level DSLR-like A68 with 4D focus

Sony introduces the entry-level DSLR-like A68 with 4D focus
The Sony A68 inherits a number of features from the higher-end A77 II
The Sony A68 inherits a number of features from the higher-end A77 II
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The Sony A68 is an entry-level DSLR-like camera
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The Sony A68 is an entry-level DSLR-like camera
The Sony A68 inherits a number of features from the higher-end A77 II
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The Sony A68 inherits a number of features from the higher-end A77 II
The Sony A68 will be available from March 2016
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The Sony A68 will be available from March 2016
The Sony A68 has an electronic OLED viewfinder with 1,440,000 dots and a moving 2.7-inch rear monitor
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The Sony A68 has an electronic OLED viewfinder with 1,440,000 dots and a moving 2.7-inch rear monitor
The Sony A68 features 4D Focus with 79 phase-detection autofocus points
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The Sony A68 features 4D Focus with 79 phase-detection autofocus points
The Sony A68 boasts a 24-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
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The Sony A68 boasts a 24-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
The Sony A68 uses Sony A-mount lenses
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The Sony A68 uses Sony A-mount lenses
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Sony has announced the A68, an upcoming entry-level DSLR-like camera which inherits features from the higher-end A77 II. The new A-mount shooter boasts a 24-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, 4D Focus with 79 phase-detection autofocus points, and a BIONZ X image processing engine.

The A68 (or α68, depending on your branding preference) will sit under the A77 II in Sony’s line-up of APS-C sensored DSLR-like cameras. Like those cameras, and the full frame A99, it uses A-mount lenses rather than the E-mount glass which is used on Sony’s mirrorless systems.

While the new camera does not appear to be anything groundbreaking, it does bring a number of previously high-end features to a much more affordable device, though as we'll see, this is at the cost others. Headline attractions include the combination of 4D Focus with Translucent Mirror Technology, and built-in sensor shift image stabilization.

At the core of the camera is a 24-megapixel APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) CMOS sensor which is paired with Sony’s BIONZ X image processing engine. This allows the camera to shoot high quality, low noise images and boast an ISO range of 100 to 25,600. The A68 can also shoot at 8 fps with constant AF tracking thanks to the use of Translucent Mirror Technology.

The Sony A68 uses Sony A-mount lenses
The Sony A68 uses Sony A-mount lenses

In terms of autofocus, the 4D Focus system is said to deliver fast and accurate focus even in lighting as low as EV-2. This is thanks to a phase detection system which uses 79 points, including 15 cross points. Full HD video recording is possible at up to 30 fps with the option of a high bit-rate of 50 Mbps using the XAVC S format.

Measuring 142.6 x 104.2 x 80.9 mm (5.6 x 4.1 x 3.2 in) and weighing 690 g (24 oz) the camera is sized and looks as you would expect for an entry-level DSLR, and also features physical access to a number of settings via a rear control wheel and a front control dial.

The Sony A68 has an electronic OLED viewfinder with 1,440,000 dots and a moving 2.7-inch rear monitor
The Sony A68 has an electronic OLED viewfinder with 1,440,000 dots and a moving 2.7-inch rear monitor

Around back there's an electronic OLED viewfinder which, having just 1,440,000 dots, could come as a disappointment when compared to the higher-res 2,359,296 dot version on the A77 II. Users also have the option of composing and reviewing shots on the rear monitor, which, while only measuring 2.7-inch and having only 460,800 dots, can be angled upwards 135 degrees and 55 degrees down.

Slightly surprisingly for a Sony camera in this day and age, there’s no built-in Wi-Fi like we’ve seen on recent mirrorless and even compact cameras.

The Sony A68 will be available from March 2016 body-only for £440 or bundled with an 18-55-mm zoom kit lens for £520, no official US pricing is currently available, but that’s around US$660 and $790.

Product page: Sony A68

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