Sony SLT Alpha 65 vs Sony SLT Alpha 68 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · DSLR · 24.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 65
57
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 24 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 68
58
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony SLT Alpha 65 and the Sony SLT Alpha 68 are DSLR-type bodies that share an APS-C sensor format and CMOS sensor type, so sensor size does not decide this choice. Both take the same Sony Alpha DT lenses. The Alpha 65 arrived in 2011, four years before the Alpha 68. The Alpha 65 is the more compact body at 132 x 97 x 81 mm against 143 x 104 x 81 mm, while the Alpha 68 is lighter at 610 g versus 622 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2011 | 2015 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 24, 2011 | November 5, 2015 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 132 x 97 x 81 mm | 143 x 104 x 81 mm |
| Camera weight | 622 g | 610 g |
| Optics | 68/100 | 71/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 68 is the stronger choice for tracking erratically moving subjects, with 79 autofocus points against 19 on the Alpha 65. That wider spread gives far more places to put the point on a darting bird or a dancing child. Its standard ISO range reaches 25600 against 16000, giving more headroom when light falls; both start at 100 ISO. The Alpha 65 answers for action bursts, shooting at up to 10 fps against 8, helping you catch the exact stride of a sprinter. Its electronic viewfinder is also more detailed, 2359000 dots versus 1440000, easing manual focus and detail checks. Both offer in-body stabilisation for handheld work. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.3 MP050 | 24 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6000 x 4000 | 6000 x 4000 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.6 x 23.5 | 15.6 x 23.5 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
10 fps045 | 8 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Sony Alpha DT | Sony Alpha DT |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Bionz | Bionz X |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
160003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
190300 | 790300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 235900009900000 | 144000009900000 |
| Video | 56/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor video projects, the Alpha 68 offers an extra recording format: XAVC S alongside AVCHD Ver. 2.0 and MP4, while the Alpha 65 records AVCHD and MP4 only. Both cameras top out at Full HD resolution with a 60 fps maximum frame rate, so neither offers 4K. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
AVCHD, MP4 | XAVC S, AVCHD Ver. 2.0, MP4 |
| Features | 41/100 | 35/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 65 is the better camera for geotagging travel and wildlife photos, because it has built-in GPS and the Alpha 68 does not. It also has the better rear screen, 3 inches at 921000 dots against 2.7 inches at 460800 dots, so images show more clearly. Both have a flipping screen for waist-level and overhead framing, live view, a built-in flash and a hot shoe for an external flash, while neither offers touch control, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
 Yes | No |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 2.7" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 4608001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 27/100 | 29/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Alpha 68 carries the higher rated battery life, 580 shots per charge under its test conditions against 510 for the Alpha 65. Both use the same NP-FM500H battery, so one spare serves either body. Both cameras write to a single card slot accepting SD, SDHC and SDXC plus Memory Stick Pro Duo, so neither offers backup recording. The Alpha 65 additionally supports Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo. Neither charges its battery over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-FM500H | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
510 shots1505000 | 580 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For most photographers, the Sony SLT Alpha 68 is the better pick. Its 79 autofocus points give wider AF coverage for children, pets and sports, its standard ISO range reaches further when light falls, and its rated battery life is higher. XAVC S adds another option for video work.
Pick the Alpha 65 for peak-action bursts at 10 fps, for manual focusing through its 2359000-dot viewfinder, for GPS tagging of landscape and wildlife locations, and for reviewing shots on its larger 3-inch screen. Both share the Sony Alpha DT mount, so lenses carry over either way.