In our ongoing weekly exploration of cameras, it's time to break away from the Canon-Nikon duopoly and take a closer look at what other companies offer. That brings us to Sony, which, beyond its preference for ultra-compact, fully digital designs, has some very interesting SLRs in its catalog. One of them is the Sony Alpha A68, featuring a 24MP sensor, a tilting screen, an 8fps burst, and solid high-speed autofocus.
One of the biggest advantages Canon and Nikon cameras have is compatibility. If you buy a lens, odds are you can still use it with a camera that will hit the market ten or fifteen years from now, either directly or with the help of an adapter. But it would be unfair to say the other companies haven't made the same effort. In fact, Sony is on the same level, especially when you look at options based on the A-mount. So how can you enter this world efficiently? Which models offer the best value for money? Today I'd like to suggest one: Sony Alpha A68.
Sony Alpha A68: Fast and Furious
Announced in November 2015, the Sony Alpha A68 (or just A68) packs a 24.2MP Exmor APS-C sensor, built-in image stabilization, ISO from 100 to 25,600, and shutter speeds from 1/4000 to 30 seconds. It also has a 0.39-inch OLED electronic viewfinder with 1.44 million dots and 0.88x magnification. The LCD screen is relatively basic, at 2.7 inches with 460,800 dots. There's no touch support, but you can tilt it up to 135 degrees up and 55 degrees down.
By contrast, one of the strongest elements of the Sony Alpha A68 is its autofocus system, with 79-point phase detection, 15 of them cross-type. The burst reaches 8fps in Tele-Zoom AE mode, while in normal mode it drops to 5fps, and the final number of shots depends on quality. For storage, the A68 supports SD cards and Sony's proprietary Memory Stick format.
If you haven't used a Sony camera before, you might think it'll take a while to get used to the controls, but that's not the case. On the mode dial you'll find Full Auto, Programmed Auto "P", Aperture Priority "A", Shutter Priority "S", and Manual "M". Modes 1-2-3 are programmable via the Camera Settings, and the remaining icons are Movie, Tele-Zoom AE for advanced burst, Sweep Panorama, and Scene Selection (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports and Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night Scene, and Handheld Twilight).
When it comes to video recording, the Sony Alpha A68 is a special beast. It supports three compression formats, the best being XAVC S with a 50Mbps bitrate in NTSC or PAL modes (1080 at 60p/50p/30p/25p/24p), with a maximum clip length of 29 minutes. By now, you've probably noticed that the A68 has no wireless features; any remote control or image transfer has to be done via USB... unless you add a compatible accessory in the future. And speaking of accessories...
Accessories for Sony Alpha A68
Any idea that there are no accessories for Sony cameras is buried here. Our selection isn't just fully compatible with the A68, it also includes alternatives that'll save you a few euros. This "entry premium" camera at 499 euros holds its own pretty well, but with the right allies, its potential is impressive.
Batteries and Power
The Gloxy NP-FM500H-compatible battery (SKU "DI862,VDTS-4604-CH-VDTS-141") costs about 20 euros and can double your energy. The A68 averages around 580 shots per charge, which is in line with other competing SLRs, except for exceptions like the Nikon D5600, which reaches almost a thousand shots. The camera includes an official charger, but Gloxy's hybrid 2-in-1 design lets you keep batteries topped up both at home and in the car.
Flashes and Continuous Lights
Don't let a lack of natural light catch you off guard. The built-in flash is enough for most shots, but it's a good idea to add something more robust like the Nissin Di700A flash, with a 24-200mm focal coverage, 1/8000s sync, plenty of tilt and rotate capability, and a weight of just 380 grams. If you want no compromises, go for a Rotolight NEO 2 with 192 LEDs, adjustable color temperature, and special effects without any hassle. (SKU "IM712565958,0714591609")
Tripods and Supports
The camera weighs 675 grams with battery and memory card, reasonable compared to other SLRs. Finding a compatible tripod for Sony Alpha A68 is easy. Start with the Gloxy GX-T6662A, which handles up to ten kilograms and extends more than a meter and a half. On the other side is the Clampod Takeway T1, compact, easy to attach almost anywhere, and tough as stone, tolerating an impressive 40 kilograms. (SKU "DI3241,0712163592")
Backpacks
Every SLR needs a good backpack, and the A68 is no exception. Once you add lenses and other accessories, a solid carrying option becomes essential. The Gloxy Pro AW offers a customizable padded interior, wide straps for comfort, and a waterproof cover. If you prefer something more spartan, the Manfrotto Gear Backpack M has a huge interior, a tripod hook, and secondary pockets that don't interfere with your gear. (SKU "GloxyPRO,IM712002453")
Lenses
A versatile zoom, a telephoto, and a wide-angle. That's the lens lineup we've prepared today to complement the standard 18-55 that comes with the A68. The first is the Tamron 70-300mm f4.0-5.6 LD DI AF, with an extraordinary price-to-performance ratio and a strong candidate for your first additional lens. If sports, astrophotography, or nature is your thing, the Gloxy telephoto 500mm f/6.3 won't disappoint. Finally, some incredible shots await with the Samyang 14mm T3.1 V-DSLR ED AS IF UMC wide-angle, especially if you plan to shoot a lot of video. Don't believe me? Take a look: (SKU "MI1093,0713562030") (SKU "DI4503")
I insist: anyone who wants to break away from the Canon-Nikon dynamic and look for a camera elsewhere should definitely consider the Sony Alpha A68, with a good price, impressive autofocus, an A-mount that lets you reuse many interesting Konica/Minolta lenses, a healthy number of compatible accessories, and a very forgiving learning curve. Good luck!
