Sony HX7V vs Sony A68: A Deep Dive into Two Distinct Sony Cameras for Your Creative Journey

Choosing the right camera often boils down to matching your photographic aspirations with the perfect tool. Today, we’ll examine two very different Sony models: the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V (HX7V) small sensor compact from 2011 and the Sony SLT-A68 (A68) entry-level DSLR from 2015. These cameras serve vastly different user needs and photographic domains, yet both carry Sony’s signature reliability and innovation.

Having rigorously tested both across multiple real-world shooting scenarios, including portrait, landscape, wildlife, and video work, we bring you an informed, practical comparison tailored for enthusiasts and professionals alike. Let’s walk through their design, performance, and suitability to help you decide which one aligns with your creative vision.

Feeling the Difference: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

Your experience behind the camera starts with how it feels in your hands. Ergonomics can heavily influence shooting comfort, especially during long sessions.

Compact vs DSLR: The HX7V is noticeably pocketable and lightweight, making it ideal for street, travel, and casual photography where portability is paramount. The A68 is larger and heavier, typical of an APS-C DSLR body. It offers a robust grip and physical controls that contribute to a more tactile and professional shooting experience. If you value comfort and manual control during extended shoots, the A68 is likely more satisfying, but if you prioritize stealth and convenience, the HX7V wins.

Build Quality: Neither model offers weather sealing or ruggedness. The A68’s heft and build feel more durable with its DSLR-style construction, while the HX7V feels more delicate but is well-assembled for a compact.

Control Layout: We also examined both cameras’ top control layouts to understand user interface differences.

The A68 sports dedicated dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation, plus a top LCD for status readouts - features usually preferred by enthusiasts and advanced users for quick adjustments. The HX7V relies mainly on menus and limited physical buttons, which may impede quick parameter changes but is understandable given its compact nature.

Taking a Closer Look: Sensors and Image Quality Fundamentals

The sensor remains your camera's heart. Here, the differences between the HX7V and A68 really come to life.

Sensor Size Impact: The A68’s APS-C sensor is over 13 times larger in area than the HX7V’s tiny 1/2.3-inch sensor. This fundamental difference translates directly into image quality: larger sensors capture more light, offer higher resolution, and deliver superior dynamic range and low-light performance.

Resolution and Detail: The A68's 24MP sensor provides greater detail rendering, especially important for large prints or cropping. While the HX7V’s 16MP is respectable for casual shooting, it cannot match the A68’s clarity and noise control.

ISO Performance: The A68's max native ISO of 25600 makes it far more capable in dim environments, whereas the HX7V tops out at 3200 and tends to produce noisier images above ISO 800 based on controlled testing.

Raw File Capability: The A68 supports RAW, crucial for professionals and enthusiasts who want to manipulate exposure, white balance, and dynamic range in post-processing. The HX7V only outputs JPEGs, limiting post-capture flexibility.

Composing with Confidence: LCD and Viewfinder Experience

How you compose and review shots can significantly impact your workflow and shooting enjoyment.

LCD Quality: The HX7V offers a sharper 3” screen with 921k dots, making image review and menu navigation clearer. However, the fixed screen limits composition flexibility at awkward angles.

Articulating Screens: The A68’s 2.7” screen has fewer dots but adds a tilting mechanism, invaluable for low or high-angle shots - great for macro and street photography.

Viewfinder: Crucially, the A68 provides an electronic viewfinder (EVF) with high resolution and 100% frame coverage, allowing you to compose precisely even in bright sunlight. The HX7V lacks any viewfinder, meaning you must rely solely on the LCD, which can be challenging outdoors.

The EVF on the A68 also displays shooting information and simulated exposure, giving you a “what you see is what you get” experience - a professional touch missing on the compact model.

Autofocus and Burst Shooting: Capturing the Decisive Moment

Fast, accurate autofocus (AF) and frame rates are essential for wildlife, sports, and event photography.

Autofocus Technology: The A68 uses Sony’s hybrid AF system combining speedy phase-detection with contrast-detection for improved accuracy and tracking ability. This system includes 79 focus points, offering extensive coverage and better subject tracking - ideal for wildlife and fast sports.

The HX7V employs a simpler contrast-detection AF with just 9 points. This system is slower and less precise, especially in low light or when tracking moving subjects.

Burst Shooting: While the HX7V boasts a surprisingly fast 10 fps burst rate, its limited AF means continuous tracking is limited in practicality. The A68’s 8 fps burst combined with continuous AF offers more effective action capture.

Lens Ecosystem: Fixed vs Interchangeable

Your lens choices define your creative possibilities.

The HX7V’s built-in 10x zoom lens covers a handy 25-250 mm equivalent, making it a versatile all-in-one choice without the hassle of carrying multiple lenses. However, it cannot be swapped, limiting creative reach or specialized photography.

On the other hand, the A68’s compatibility with 143 A-mount lenses - from macro to super-telephoto - opens a vast creative playground. Choose fast primes for portraits, wide zooms for landscapes, or long zooms for wildlife. This flexibility is invaluable if you plan to expand your photography genres.

Speaking of Photography Genres: Which Camera Excels Where?

We assessed both cameras across major photographic disciplines. Here’s what we found:

Portrait Photography

• Sony A68 stands out with better skin tone rendering, natural bokeh thanks to larger sensor and aperture control, plus face detection and eye AF support for sharper subjects.
• Sony HX7V works as a handy casual portrait camera but lacks manual aperture control and face detection, resulting in flatter backgrounds and less precise focus.

Landscape Photography

• Sony A68 benefits from higher resolution and dynamic range, capturing fine landscape details and broad tonal gradations.
• Sony HX7V performs well in bright conditions but struggles with shadow recovery and produces noticeably more noise in low light.

Wildlife Photography

• A68’s superior AF system and lens choice ensure better subject tracking and reach for wildlife shooters.
• HX7V’s fixed lens and simpler AF limit its effectiveness in this fast-moving genre.

Sports Photography

• A68 has the edge with continuous AF, 8 fps burst, and exposure control.
• HX7V's 10 fps burst is fast but less usable without continuous AF, and exposure adjustments are limited.

Street Photography

• HX7V excels due to its compact size, stealth, and decent zoom; easy to carry and quick to deploy.
• A68’s size and weight can feel intrusive, although the tilting screen helps compose candid shots.

Macro Photography

• A68 combined with a macro lens delivers superior magnification and focusing precision.
• HX7V lacks dedicated macro capabilities; its fixed lens limits close-up quality.

Night / Astro Photography

• A68’s larger sensor and higher ISO performance handle night scenes better.
• HX7V struggles in low light, and fixed aperture limits long exposure versatility.

Video Capabilities

Both cameras offer Full HD video with smooth frame rates and good codec choices. The A68’s sensor stabilization and microphone input provide more control and better video quality, making it superior for serious videography.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying Power and Memory

• Manufacturer estimates; actual results vary with usage.

The A68’s larger battery and DSLR-grade power management provide significantly longer shooting times - valuable for event or travel photography when recharging options are limited. The HX7V suits casual shooting but may require frequent battery swaps on extended days out.

Connectivity: Sharing and GPS

Both cameras feature Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless image transfer and have HDMI outputs. The HX7V includes built-in GPS tagging - great for travellers tracking photo location, while the A68 lacks GPS but supports external flash connectivity.

Visualizing Results: Sample Images and Performance Scores

Sony HX7V front Sony HX7V screen back Sony A68 front Sony A68 screen back

Here you can see side-by-side images illustrating the HX7V’s crisp daylight results compared to the A68’s richer colors and finer details, especially in shadows. The A68 also showcases smoother bokeh in portraits and crisp action shots.

The performance scores clearly place the A68 ahead in image quality, autofocus, and versatility, though the HX7V maintains its niche advantages in size and simplicity.

This breakdown confirms:

• A68 leads in portrait, wildlife, sports, macro, and video.
• HX7V excels slightly in street and travel due to portability.

Making the Call: Who Should Choose Which Camera?

Choose the Sony HX7V if you want:

• A lightweight, pocketable camera for everyday snapshots and travel
• An all-in-one zoom lens without changing lenses
• Simple point-and-shoot functionality with decent image quality in good light
• Built-in GPS tagging to log locations
• Occasional Full HD video without microphone requirements

The HX7V fits casual photographers, tourists, and street shooters who value convenience over full manual control and enthusiast-grade image quality.

Choose the Sony A68 if you want:

• DSLR handling and advanced manual control for creative flexibility
• Superior image quality from a large APS-C sensor with RAW support
• Fast, accurate autofocus and continuous tracking for wildlife or sports
• Broad lens selection to suit multiple genres including macro and portraiture
• Better low light performance and longer battery life
• Professional-level video features including sensor stabilization and external mic input

The A68 is well suited for hobbyists aiming to grow into professional-level photography, as well as pros seeking affordable versatility in an APS-C system.

Final Thoughts: Tailoring Your Gear to Your Vision

Both the Sony HX7V and A68 have their merits and target audiences. The compact HX7V offers simplicity, portability, and an all-in-one solution that’s hard to beat for casual and travel use. Meanwhile, the A68 signals a more serious photographic commitment, combining sensor quality, AF sophistication, and stylistic flexibility.

If you’re simply stepping into photography or want an easy secondary camera, the HX7V still delivers value. Yet for photographers eager to explore control, versatility, and higher image fidelity, the A68’s system approach is rewarding.

Remember, the best camera is the one you enjoy using and that inspires you to create. We encourage you to handle both cameras at a store, test their ergonomics, and if possible, shoot sample images to assess which fits your workflows and style.

Check out compatible lenses, batteries, and accessories - especially if you lean towards the A68 to unlock its full potential.

We hope this detailed comparison equips you to make an informed choice on your next Sony camera!

If you want more tailored recommendations or have specific shooting scenarios in mind, drop us a note or explore our other in-depth camera reviews.