A Comprehensive Review of Sony SLT-A68 - Is It a Perfect Camera for Photography Enthusiasts?

Sony has always been a popular brand in the camera industry, and their SLT-A68 model is no exception. With its remarkable features and specifications, the camera is indeed a game-changer in the market. In this blog post, we will review the Sony SLT-A68 and explore all the features and benefits it has to offer.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Sony SLT-A68 article cover photo

Key Features

Nov 06 2015

Announced

24 megapixels

Resolution

BrandSony
Sensor TypeAPS-C
SensorCMOS
Weight610g
MSRP$599USD

Other similar cameras

Overview of the SLT-A68

Sony's SLT-A68 is a top-of-the-line camera model that has proven to be a favorite among photographers worldwide. This camera features a superb high-resolution sensor, advanced autofocus, and a wide range of features that make it stand out from other cameras in its class. In this blog post, we will take a deep dive into the features that make the Sony SLT-A68 an excellent camera for photography enthusiasts. We'll explore everything from its impressive autofocus system to its HD video capabilities, and we'll also take a close look at the camera's ergonomics and design. By the end of this post, you'll have a much better understanding of the Sony SLT-A68 and whether it's the right choice for you.

Sony SLT-A68 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Sony SLT-A68 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

24.2 MP image sensor
BIONZ X image processor
79-point autofocus system
SteadyShot image stabilization
Tiltable LCD screen
Compact and lightweight
Affordable price point

Cons

No 4K video recording
Limited dynamic range compared to competitors
No built-in Wi-Fi or NFC connectivity
Mediocre battery life
Limited lens selection compared to other camera brands
Confusing menu system for beginners
No touchscreen functionality

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Sony SLT-A68

Weather sealed
Dimensions143 x 104 x 81mm
Weight610g
Thickness81mm
Weight
Min
Avg
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Max
Thickness
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Max

Weather Sealing

The Sony SLT-A68 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderElectronic
Screen TypeTilting
Screen Resolution461k dots
Body typeCompact SLR

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a tilting 2.70" screen, with a display resolution of 461k dots. This makes the Sony SLT-A68 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

SLT-A68 includes a electronic viewfinder with 1,440k dots of resolution with a coverage of 100% and a magnification of 0.57x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Sony SLT-A68 has a 24MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 24 pixels. Sony SLT-A68 has a native ISO range of 100 - 25600 which can be boosted to null - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Nov 06 2015

Announced

100 - 25600

ISO Range

SensorAPS-C
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution6000 x 4000 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

79 / 102

Color Depth

24.1 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

13.5 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

701 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Sony SLT-A68 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain low amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is poor, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the SLT-A68 is average

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1.5x

Full frame equivalent

36mm

This camera: APS-C

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Battery Life510 shots
Battery ModelNP-FM500H
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Sony SLT-A68 supports SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Sony SLT-A68 uses the NP-FM500H model of battery pack. This is rated for 510 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Sony SLT-A68 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. It also offers a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Sony SLT-A68 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Sony SLT-A68 includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 79 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Sony SLT-A68?

The Sony SLT-A68 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Sony SLT-A68 weather sealed?

No the SLT-A68 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Sony SLT-A68 announced?

The Sony SLT-A68 was announced on Nov 06 2015

Does the Sony SLT-A68 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the SLT-A68 does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Sony SLT-A68?

The SLT-A68 has a native ISO range of 100-25600, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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