Sony's entry-level Alpha A68 has '4D focus' for low light
Sony just reminded us that it makes more than mirrorless and compact cameras by launching the Alpha A68, an A-mount model with a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor. As with Sony's APS-C Alpha A77 II and full-frame A99 models, it uses a hybrid electronic OLED viewfinder with 100 percent coverage and "faithful color reproduction," according to Sony. That's complimented by a 2.7-inch TFT LCD that tilts 135 degrees up and 55 degrees downwards. The killer feature is the translucent mirror, which allows for what Sony calls "4D Focus" -- a 79-point phase-detection AF that works continuously at up to 8fps, even in low-light.
The Alpha A68 has an Exmor CMOS sensor with an ISO range of 100-25600 and 1080p video, which also benefits from the continuous autofocus. Other features include 10 customizable buttons, "Inside SteadyShot" that works with all 34 A-Mount lenses and a front adjustment dial for rapid setting changes. The new model won't arrive until March, 2016, and will cost €600 (around $650) for the body only. That puts it well below the $1,999 Alpha A99 and $1,129 Alpha A77 II, but around the same as the aging Alpha A58 -- meaning the latter model's likely to be phased out. Unless you really need that constant autofocus, however, you may be tempted by the Alpha A6000, which has a similar sensor but costs less.
