Sony SLT Alpha 68

The Sony Alpha 68 is a DSLR from 2015 built around the Alpha DT lens mount. Instead of an optical finder it uses an electronic viewfinder, so what you see reflects your exposure settings before you press the shutter.

Its 24 megapixel APS-C sensor and in-body stabilisation make it a practical choice for everyday stills photography, and bursts up to eight frames per second give it reach into action work.

Owning it is a fairly conventional DSLR experience. The body weighs 610g, pictures come off the camera by memory card since there is no wireless transfer, and settings are adjusted with buttons rather than a touchscreen.

At the heart of the camera is a 24 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor working with the Bionz X processor. That resolution gives files room to crop and supports prints of generous size, and it helps explain an Optics score of 71, which places the camera in the top 23% of cameras in our database for Optics.

Stabilisation is built into the body, so every Alpha DT lens you mount benefits from steadier handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds. It corrects camera shake only, so it will not stop a moving subject from blurring.

For action, the maximum burst rate is eight frames per second, backed by 79 autofocus points. That top speed is a maximum rather than a sustained figure. The shutter tops out at 1/4000s, so wide apertures in bright light may need a neutral density filter.

Sensitivity runs from ISO 100 to 25600, covering bright sunlight through to indoor evening light.

Video sits on the modest side of this camera, and our score of 56 reflects that. Recording tops out at Full HD rather than 4K, and the fastest frame rate on offer is 60fps, which keeps output usable but basic for anyone mixing stills and movies.

Three file formats are available: XAVC S, AVCHD Ver. 2.0 and MP4. That spread gives some flexibility in how footage is stored, whether for archive or everyday use.

There is no built-in timelapse function, so interval sequences take extra equipment or assembling individual frames afterwards. On the plus side, the flipping screen tilts for low-angle and high-angle framing, which helps when you record movies from awkward positions.

Day-to-day handling relies on physical buttons, because the 2.7-inch TFT LCD has no touch input. Its 460,800 dots give a serviceable but basic display, and the screen flips for shooting at waist level or overhead. Live view lets you compose on the screen instead of the electronic finder.

Lighting options are well covered: the built-in flash handles quick fill light, and support for an external flash allows a more capable setup later.

The missing items shape daily use more. With no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or GPS, images leave the camera by card and the camera adds no location tags of its own. There is no weather sealing either, so dust and moisture are worth keeping away from the body. A features score of 35 sums up this limited setup.

A single card slot takes SD, SDHC or SDXC media, or a Memory Stick Pro Duo if you prefer Sony's own format. With no second slot, there is no way to back up frames in camera as you shoot, so carrying spare cards matters for important work.

The NP-FM500H battery is rated at 580 shots per charge, a useful figure for planning, though actual results depend on how you shoot.

Charging is not possible over USB, so you cannot top the battery up from a laptop or power bank. A second battery is worth packing for longer trips. These basics together earn a storage and battery score of 29.