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The appeal of the A68 is obvious and it's welcome to have such a unique proposition for the advanced beginner rather than just a model that aims to equal its peers.
Its fast and comprehensive AF system is great to see on a model pitched at a novice audience, as is the enthusiast-DSLR-like shooting experience provided by its design, while its price is also very reasonable when you consider what it offers. True, it's not a camera for everyone, and high-ISO users or those who intend to compose images and videos with the LCD rather than the viewfinder may wish to look elsewhere, but its shortcomings are arguably compensated for elsewhere.
The kind of user Sony is targeting is also likely to be drawn to the slightly pricier Nikon D5500 and Canon EOS 760D. Both more or less match the A68 for pixel count and easily outgun its LCD with larger and higher-resolution alternatives, but both fall behind with their respective AF systems and burst-shooting frame rates, while also offering optical viewfinders with less-than-100% coverage.
The Pentax K-S2 is also very much worth considering. Its weather-resistant body and 3-inch, 921k-dot LCD screen give it an edge over the A68, while its optical viewfinder offers (approximately) 100% coverage. Again, its focusing system isn't quite as advanced and its 5.4fps burst rate is slightly slower than the 8fps on the A68, but with its twin-lens-kit configuration at roughly the same price as the A68 body, it proves it's not the only model offering great value for money. Sony's own A6000 is also another viable alternative, with its 24.3MP sensor, 1.44million-dot LCD and competent AF system doing well to offer something similar, with the further advantage of a better LCD screen and 11fps burst shooting.
We liked
The AF system is the main focus of the A68's marketing, and using it makes you appreciate why Sony is selling it from this angle; it's fast and tracks moving subjects well, and has a range of options to allow you to focus in the manner of your choosing. Together with its fast burst rate and a great viewfinder, the A68 a pleasure to use, while the top-plate LCD provides a shooting experience more akin to that provided by more expensive models. It's also great to see this all combined with a substantial but lightweight body, meaning that those with larger hands or simply preferring a larger body that's comfortable to handle have an option at this price point.
We disliked
The LCD screen is very much the sore point of the A68, with its lacklustre specs leading to a similarly unimpressive performance. The design of the shutter-release button is also less than ideal in use, while the build quality may also discourage some too.
Final Verdict
The Sony A68 is an interesting and capable addition to the pool of beginner-friendly cameras, and a welcome change from the more obvious DSLR alternatives. Its focusing system is strong and means that it's an obvious candidate for tracking moving subjects, with its form and excellent handling making it a great host body to use with telephoto lenses. It's also a capable and affordable step up from older Alpha bodies, perhaps for those who have already invested in a handful of lenses and wish to continue using them. The low-resolution LCD and mediocre kit lens performance disappoint, but if you plan on largely using the electronic viewfinder and an alternative optic, it's worth considering.
