The Sony A68 — the 2016 24.2 MP APS-C A-mount SLT with 4D FOCUS (425 phase-detect AF points) and 8 fps burst — carries an estimated ~100,000-actuation shutter rating. Drop an ARW file from your A68 into the tool below to read the count instantly in your browser.
Check Shutter Count →The Sony A68 (2016) was Sony’s last consumer SLT camera and a capable entry-to-mid-range body. It introduced the 4D FOCUS system to the A-mount lineup: 425 phase-detect AF points covering nearly 92% of the frame, object tracking, and a predictive Eye AF function. Combined with up to 8 fps continuous shooting and the A-mount lens ecosystem, the A68 remains a strong sports and action option on the used market at low prices.
Sony does not publish an official shutter rating for the A68. Based on its consumer positioning, the estimated shutter life is approximately 100,000 actuations.
| Model | Release | Sensor | Est. Shutter Life | RAW Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony A68 | 2016 | 24.2 MP APS-C | ~100,000 | ARW |
| Sony A77 II (A-mount sibling) | 2014 | 24.3 MP APS-C | ~150,000 | ARW |
| Sony A6000 (E-mount era) | 2014 | 24.3 MP APS-C | ~100,000 | ARW |
| Sony A6700 (current E-mount) | 2023 | 26 MP APS-C | ~200,000 | ARW |
exiftool -ShutterCount yourfile.ARW in a terminal. The A68 reliably embeds the actuation count in Sony ARW MakerNote metadata.| Actuation Count | % of Est. Life | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 5,000 | 0 – 5 % | Very low use — near new |
| 5,000 – 35,000 | 5 – 35 % | Low to normal use |
| 35,000 – 65,000 | 35 – 65 % | Moderate to heavy use |
| 65,000 – 85,000 | 65 – 85 % | High use — negotiate price |
| 85,000 + | 85 %+ | Near or past estimated life |
The SLT (Single Lens Translucent) design permanently places a semi-transparent mirror in the light path. Approximately 30% of incoming light is diverted to the dedicated phase-detect AF sensor on the top of the mirror box, while 70% passes to the main image sensor. This means phase-detect AF operates continuously during both stills and video, enabling tracking AF in video without the hunting typical of contrast-detect systems.
Not natively — the A68 uses the A-mount. With an LA-EA1 or LA-EA3 adapter, E-mount lenses can be mounted, but AF performance is limited to contrast-detect. For best AF performance with the 4D FOCUS system, use native A-mount (SAL) lenses directly without an adapter.
For the right use case, yes. The A68’s 4D FOCUS system with 425 PDAF points and 8 fps burst rate remains impressive for sports and action at its current low used prices. The 24.2 MP sensor delivers solid image quality. The main drawbacks are the A-mount system (limited to Sony/Minolta legacy lenses, with no new A-mount development), and the fixed SLT mirror requiring careful inspection when buying used.
No. The Sony A68 relies on Optical SteadyShot (OSS) built into compatible lenses. Unlike the A77 II which also lacks IBIS, there is no sensor-shift stabilisation in the A68. For telephoto work, use OSS-equipped SAL lenses such as the SAL 70–200mm or SAL 55–300mm.