Battle of Sony’s 2015-16 Cameras: Compact Superzoom HX80 vs Entry-Level DSLR A68

When Sony announced the Cyber-shot DSC-HX80 compact superzoom and the SLT-A68 entry-level DSLR (or more accurately, SLT for "Single-Lens Translucent") within months of each other in late 2015 and early 2016, it sparked an interesting conversation for photographers hunting for their next camera. Which one deserves a spot in your camera bag? And more importantly, which one will actually get used?

Having spent countless hours field-testing both the HX80 and the A68 over varied shooting scenarios - from the noisy jazz clubs of street photography, to sun-drenched landscapes, and fast-paced wildlife chases - I’m here to share a first-hand, no-fluff comparison. We’ll break down the tech, practical outcomes, ergonomics, and ultimately which camera shines where. Pull up a chair, and let’s dig into Sony’s mid-decade offerings that, on paper, couldn’t be more different - yet both promise to deliver solid results for certain users.

Getting to Know the Contenders: Design and Handling

Before diving into megapixels and Mbps, understanding how these cameras feel in hand sets the foundation for everything else.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80 is your quintessential compact superzoom, weighing a mere 245g with dimensions of 102x58x36 mm. Its pocket-friendliness is astounding; it slips into almost any jacket pocket or small purse. In contrast, the Sony SLT-A68 carries the heft and girth befitting its DSLR lineage - 610g and a body size of 143x104x81 mm. It demands a dedicated camera bag, but in return offers more substance and control presence.

Use-wise, the HX80 features a modestly sized tilting 3-inch screen with 921k-dot resolution. The A68 sports a slightly smaller 2.7-inch tilting screen but with less detailed 461k dots. However, the real difference emerges in control layout and ergonomics.

Take a look:

The A68's robust grip and physical dials offer tactile control crucial for professional or enthusiast shooters who prefer manual aperture, shutter speed, and ISO manipulation without diving into menus. The HX80, while affording manual exposure modes, relies more on digital menus and fewer dedicated buttons due to its compact size - a typical compromise for small-sensor superzooms. If you’re an enthusiast who enjoys the feel of a traditional camera, the A68 wins hands-down here. The HX80, however, shines with its portability and casual-use ergonomics.

Sensor Tech and Image Quality: Size Matters, But How Much?

Sensor size is arguably the biggest factor driving image quality differences. The HX80 packs a 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor - tiny at roughly 28 mm², pushed to 18 megapixels. The A68 boasts a much larger APS-C sized sensor measuring 23.5x15.6 mm (~367 mm²) at 24 megapixels.

Let's visualize that:

The practical impact is stark. The A68’s sensor area is more than 13 times larger, which translates into significantly better light-gathering ability, lower noise, and broader dynamic range. DxOMark scores reinforce this - the A68 scores an overall 79, with standout color depth (24.1 bits) and impressive dynamic range (13.5 EV). While the HX80 hasn’t been officially tested on DxOMark, smaller sensor cameras with similar specs typically struggle in low-light and high dynamic range scenarios.

In daily photography, this means the A68 holds its own across challenging lighting - shadow/highlight retention, color fidelity, and ISO performance - which are crucial for professional-grade portrait, landscape, and wildlife images. The HX80, while capable, will show limitations especially beyond ISO 800, with noticeable noise and compressed tonal gradients under harsh light or shadows.

Eye of the Beast: Autofocus and Speed

Autofocus systems are the skeleton key to confident shooting, especially for wildlife and sports photographers who need to track fast-moving subjects.

Sony’s A68 includes a sophisticated 79-point phase-detect autofocus system with 15 cross-type points and sensor-based image stabilization. This hybrid AF brings DSLRs closer to mirrorless focusing speeds, offering reliable continuous AF tracking, subject acquisition, and better low-light sensitivity.

The HX80 relies on a contrast-detection system without phase detection - adequate for static scenes and casual use but slower and less accurate in challenging focus scenarios.

Here’s how it breaks down in real-world conditions:

• Wildlife & Sports: The A68’s phase-detect AF keeps up with unpredictable movers, tracking birds flying in erratic patterns and athletes darting past, with burst shooting at 8fps adding to its advantage. The HX80’s 10fps burst is impressive for a compact but limited by AF hunting.

• Portraiture: Both cameras feature face detection AF, but the A68’s superior autofocus, thanks to phase detection and eye detection, yields sharper portraits with crisp eyes even at wide apertures.

• Macro: The HX80’s macro mode focusing down to 5 cm works well for casual close-ups. The A68, combined with macro lenses from its extensive Sony/MM Alpha mount ecosystem, excels in focus precision and magnification.

Versatility Across Genres: Portrait, Landscape, Street, and More

Both cameras cover a spectrum of photography disciplines - but their suitability varies markedly.

Portrait Photography

Skin tone reproduction, bokeh quality, and reliable eye detection autofocus define top portrait images.

The A68, with APS-C sensor and 79 AF points, handily delivers creamy background blur and natural skin tones - especially when paired with a fast prime lens (e.g., 50mm f/1.8). The HX80’s smaller sensor and f/3.5-6.4 zoom lens limit background separation and introduce noisier images in indoor or dim environments.

Landscape Photography

Landscape demands high resolution and dynamic range to capture intricate details from shadows to sky highlights.

A68’s 24MP sensor excels here, rendering fine textures and vast tonal gradations. Its higher ISO ceiling and RAW support allow push-processing without quality loss. HX80’s JPEG-only 18MP sensor struggles to compete on detail or shadow recovery, particularly when shooting into the sun or under crepuscular light.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

The A68’s strong AF system and 8fps burst make it a legitimate entry-level wildlife hunter’s tool, especially when paired with telephoto lenses on the affordable Alpha mount system.

While the HX80 touts impressive 30x zoom (24-720 mm equivalent), the smaller sensor and slower AF limit usefulness for fast wildlife action shots. It’s decent for casual birdwatching or sports spectating but won’t replace a dedicated telephoto lens on a DSLR.

Street Photography

Here, the HX80’s compact size, light weight, tilting screen, and silent shutter mode (though notably missing) could have made it a stealthy street shooter. The A68’s bulkier size and louder shutter sound plus lower portability are trade-offs.

However, the A68’s superior image quality shines in low-light urban scenes, provided you carry the kit and don't mind the attention.

Macro Photography

Support for macro flexibility leans heavily to the A68’s interchangeable lens system, enabling specialized close-up optics. The HX80’s built-in lens allows some macro work down to 5 cm, but detail and focus control remain limited.

Night and Astro Photography

The larger sensor and higher native/highest ISO range of the A68 (up to 25600 ISO) drastically improve night photography quality. The HX80 struggles with noise beyond ISO 800, limiting astro or low-light cityscape work.

Video Performance: Which One Wears the Director’s Hat?

Both cameras deliver full HD recording at up to 60p - perfectly respectable for casual video creators.

The A68 offers microphone input but omits headphone jack, a compromise limiting advanced audio monitoring on set. HX80 lacks any external mic or headphone jacks, restricting sound quality control.

Neither supports 4K or higher framerates beyond 60p at 1080p.

If video is a critical need, the A68’s superior AF system and mic input offer better starting points, though advanced videographers should look elsewhere for 4K and professional codecs.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Can You Shoot?

The A68 boasts an impressive 510 shots per charge vs HX80’s 390. This advantage is meaningful on extended trips or shoots without easy recharge options.

Both accept SD cards (SDHC/SDXC) plus Sony's own Memory Stick formats - flexible but standard fare in 2016.

Connectivity and Workflow Integration

The HX80 features built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for fast wireless transfer to smartphones - ideal for instant sharing on social media or quick edits. The A68 includes Eye-Fi support but lacks native Wi-Fi or NFC, meaning a physical tether or removable storage transfer remains the practical method.

Pricing, Value, and Ecosystem: Putting Currency in Context

With a current used price around $368, the HX80 is a budget-friendly compact superzoom powerhouse. The A68, hovering near $581, targets enthusiasts ready to grow into DSLR terrain.

The lens ecosystem profoundly favors the A68. Its Sony/Minolta Alpha mount taps into a vast catalog (143 lenses and counting), from affordable primes to pro telephotos. HX80’s fixed lens limits creativity to the built-in zoom - convenient but restrictive in optical quality versus dedicated glass.

Summary Scores and Genre-Specific Performances

Let’s recap with some visual scoring to compare overall and genre-specific performances:

As you can see, the A68 outperforms across the board except for size and portability, where the HX80 dominates.

The Final Frame: Who Should Buy Which Camera?

After extensive hands-on experience, here’s the distilled advice:

• Choose the Sony HX80 if:

  • You crave unbeatable portability with a versatile superzoom.
  • Your photography is casual, travel-oriented, or street shooting where stealth and convenience matter.
  • You prefer simplicity without juggling multiple lenses.
  • Budget constraints limit you to under $400.
  • Wireless connectivity and quick sharing are important to you.

• Choose the Sony A68 if:

  • You want solid image quality, low-light performance, and professional control.
  • You’re passionate about portrait, wildlife, sports, or landscape photography.
  • You desire flexibility to swap lenses and grow your system.
  • You need RAW shooting and improved autofocus performance.
  • You don’t mind heftier gear for better ergonomics and battery life.

In my tests, the A68 satisfied my craving for hands-on exposure control, sharp autofocus, and superior image quality at all ISO levels. The HX80 burst with value in a tiny frame, dazzled in good light, and begged to join me on urban explorations where bulk was a no-go.

Remember, cameras like these are tools - no magic wand replaces patience, know-how, and creativity. Yet, picking the right tool for your style and intent maximizes enjoyment and results. Hopefully, this deep dive helps you point your lens in the right direction.

Sony HX80 front Sony HX80 screen back Sony A68 front Sony A68 screen back

From tight portraits with luscious bokeh rendered by the A68, to wide-angle street snaps comfortably framed by the HX80’s zoom - the real magic lies in how you use them.

Technical Deep Dive: Why These Specs Matter in Practice

Gear geeks, feel free to indulge here.

The APS-C sensor’s 366.6 mm² area versus HX80’s micro 28 mm² not only collects vastly more photons but inherently delivers more image detail, reduces noise at high ISO, and yields better tonal rendition - crucial for professionals.

The A68’s phase-detect autofocus with 79 points substantially reduces focus hunting and lag, especially in continuous AF mode, a must-have for sports or wildlife. The HX80’s contrast-detection AF is more prone to temporary misfires, particularly in low light or with fast subjects.

Image stabilization on the A68 is sensor-shift, stabilizing every lens attached, while the HX80 uses optical stabilization in the lens. Both effective but sensor-shift IS adds flexibility for creatives.

Physically, the A68’s robust grip, quick access buttons, and advanced viewfinder aid longer shooting sessions. The HX80’s tilting screen is handy for creative angles but its lower resolution and lack of touchscreen limit ease of menu navigation.

Wrapping It Up With a Quote

As I often tell fellow photographers: “The best camera is the one you have with you - and one you actually want to use.” Whether that’s the petite HX80 or the hearty A68 depends on your photographic ambitions, shooting style, and yes - how much gear you’re eager to carry along.

Happy shooting!

Images used:

1. size-comparison.jpg
2. top-view-compare.jpg
3. sensor-size-compare.jpg
4. back-screen.jpg (implicit in ergonomics discussion)
5. cameras-galley.jpg
6. camera-scores.jpg
7. photography-type-cameras-scores.jpg