Sony recently announced that it would release the Alpha a68, its latest entry-level DSLR, in March 2016. While much of its specs don’t differ radically from the entry level cameras offered by Canon and Nikon, it features a new “4D Focus” system that promises to be one of the fastest, most intuitive auto-focus systems on the market.
4D Focus sounds abstract, but the theory behind it is actually pretty simple. There are three factors (or three dimensions) normal AF take into account: space, depth and area. These are concerned with how far away the object is, its parameters and the noise surrounding it. Sony’s 4D Focus system adds a fourth dimension to the equation: time.
This means that its AF system won’t just focus on where the object is, but where the object is going. It does this by tracking the speed and predicted movement of the object, so it can track the object even as it comes in contact and moves behind other objects in the camera’s field of view.
That’s just one of the reasons the “4D focus” is receiving high praise. Focusing in just 0.06 seconds, it also claims to be the world’s fastest autofocus system.
Plus, its AF system casts a much wider net, in a manner of speaking, than the competition. Most DSLRs have just a dozen or so focus points near the middle of the frame that find and focus on the object. The a68 will have 79 focal points and 15 cross points, meaning that it can instantly focus on an object no matter if it’s in the center of the screen or in the far corner of it. Sony’s “Translucent Mirror Technology” will allow the a68 to deliver up to 8fps continuous shooting with its constant autofocus tracking.
Here’s a video showcasing the system’s abilities:
So what will be the practical advantage of such a system? The camera is meant for amateur photographers after all, and its quality will still fall behind full-frame camera bodies.
For starters, the 4D Focus system will provide a huge advantage for action photography. And sure, no one will probably be shooting the Dallas Cowboys game with an entry level a68, but anyone shooting sports, wildlife, or any crowded, high-energy event should have a lot to gain from the system, especially with its fast autofocus tracking.
Speed isn’t the only important factor here, however. Its large amount of focus points and intuitive tracking technology should also make the camera more accurate in low-light settings such as concert venues or restaurants. In fact, the A-mount camera has a dedicated F2.8 AF sensor point specifically for dimly lit scenes. The a68 has a 100-25600 ISO range.
It’s hard to appreciate what a leap forward this technology is just considering the speed and size of this autofocusing system. The Canon EOS-1Dx and the Nikon 4Ds are two full-frame cameras with excellent AF systems, but the a68 has far more focal points (79) either of them (61 and 51, respectively). The only non-Sony camera that compares, really, is Fujifilm’s X-T10.
Finally, for those interested in the other specifications of the a68, it will feature a 34-megapixel APS-C sensor, and like other Sony cameras with APS-C sensors, it will us a hybrid electronic OLED viewfinder, which boasts 100 percent coverage and a 2.7-inch TFT LCD screen that tilts up 135 degrees and 55 degrees downwards.
The a68 also has 10 programmable buttons and Sony’s SteadyShot image stabilization that works with every A-mount lens available. Last but not least are its Exmor CMOS sensor and the ability to shoot 1080p video with 50Mps XAVC S recording, which also benefits from the continuous 4D Focus.
Sony will release the Alpha a68 in March 2016, with the starting price expected at $650. For about $50 extra, Sony will also include the DT18-55mm f3.5-5.6 SAM II lens. As EnGadget reports, this will put it in the same price range as the Alpha a58, an older model that may eventually be replaced by the a68.
