Sony A-mount is not dead, new a68 camera (ILCA-68) announced



I have been critical to Sony for abandoning their A-mount users and today, just like with the RX1R replacement, I was proven wrong: Sony announced a new a68 camera with a (plastic) A mount, translucent mirror and 4D FOCUS system. I am now also pretty sure that they will even come with a6000 replacement.

The new Sony a68 will start shipping in March 2016 (!) and I don't think it will be available in the US and Canada (not yet announced).

Sony α68 (ILCA-68) main features:

Sony α68 (ILCA-68) technical specifications:

Lens mount A-mount
Image sensor APS-C (23.5 x15.6 mm) Exmor CMOS image sensor
Number of pixels (effective) Approx. 24 megapixels
Recording format Still JPEG(DCF Ver.2.0, Exif Ver.2.3, MPF Baseline compliant),

RAW(Sony ARW 2.3 format)
Movies XAVC S format /AVCHD format Ver.2.0 compliant/MP4
Media Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, Memory Stick Micro (M2), SD memory card, SDHC memory card(UHS-I compliant), SDXC memory card(UHS-I compliant, microSD memory card, microSDHC memory card, microSDXC memory card
Focus system Type Phase detection AF
Focus point 79 points (including 15 cross points), F2.8 AF sensor point
Sensitivity range EV-2 - 18(at ISO 100 equivalent)
Exposure control Metering type 1200 zone-equivalent metering
Sensitivity Range Still Images: ISO 100 - 25600 (1/3 EV steps) Movies: ISO100 - 12800 equivalent (1/3 EV steps)
Shutter Shutter Speed Still images:1/4000 to 30sec, Bulb, Movies:1/4000-1/4sec
Electronic front curtain shutter Yes(On/Off)
SteadyShot INSIDE (image stabilisation) Type Still: Image Sensor-Shift mechanism Movie: Electronic
Drive Continuous shooting speed Continuous Advance Priority AE: Max. 8fps, Continuous shooting Hi: Max. 5fps, Continuous shooting Lo: Max. 2.5fps
Movie Mode

(Resolution/

Frame Rate/

Bit Rate)
XAVC S HD 1920 x 1080 50Mbps (30p/25p, 24p)
AVCHD 1920 x 1080 24Mbps(FX), 17Mbps(FH) (60i/50i)

1920 x 1080 24Mbps(FX), 17Mbps(FH) (24p/25p)
MP4 1440 x 108012Mbps , VGA3Mbps
Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder (OLED Tru-Finder)
Total number of dots 1,440,000 dots
Field coverage 100%
Magnification Approx. 0.88x (35mm camera equivalent: Approx. 0.57x) with 50mm lens at infinity, -1m-1
LCD screen Type 2.7" type TFT LCD
Total number of dots 460,800 dots
Adjustable angle Up approx. 135 degrees, down approx. 55 degrees
Audio Microphone Built-in stereo microphone
Speaker Built-in, monaural
Interface Multi Interface Shoe, HDMImicro connector (Type-D),Microphone terminal (3.5mmStereo minijack), Multi/Micro USB Terminal, DC-IN Terminal
Built-in Flash GN12 (ISO100, m, Flash angle 16mm)
Battery Rechargeable battery pack NP-FM500H
Weight Approx.610g (Body Only) / Approx.690g (With battery and media)
Dimensions (W x H x D, CIPA compliant) Approx. 142.6 × 104.2 × 80.9 mm
Operating temperature 0-40°C

More information available on Sony's website.