Sony WX5 vs Sony A68: A Deep Dive into Two Sony Cameras from Different Worlds

When considering a camera purchase, it’s easy to get caught up in specs alone - but as an expert who’s tested thousands of models over 15 years, I always say the real value lies in how those specs translate into real-world shooting scenarios. Today, I’m comparing two Sony cameras that couldn’t be more different in form, function, or intended audience: the tiny, pocketable Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5 (WX5) from 2010, a classic small sensor compact; and the considerably larger 2015 Sony SLT-A68 (A68), an entry-level APS-C DSLR-style mirrorless hybrid.

Both target distinct user needs, budgets, and photographic ambitions, so this is less about declaring a winner, and more about helping you decide which is right for your particular style of photography. Let’s get into it.

Getting a Feel for the Cameras: Size, Ergonomics, and Build

You can’t judge a camera by specs alone - how it fits in your hands and interacts with you matters hugely. I measured and examined both carefully, noting differences in size, weight, and control placement.

The Sony WX5 is a true point-and-shoot marvel, compact and featherweight at just 146 grams and dimensions of 92x52x22 mm. It’s perfect for slipping into a jacket pocket or a small purse. But its ergonomics reflect its diminutive size: minimal grip, no viewfinder, fixed lens with a modest zoom range, and a simple, fixed 2.8-inch LCD screen. Controls are limited, aimed at straightforward operation without overwhelming novices.

Contrast that with the Sony A68, which weighs in at a robust 610 grams and measures 143x104x81 mm - a hefty handgrip that feels solid and balanced when paired with a range of lenses. This camera shows its DSLR lineage with a traditional EVF, tilting 2.7-inch screen, and more extensive button and dial layout for manual control.

The ergonomic gulf between these models is vast but deliberate, reflecting their core audiences. If portability and simplicity top your list, the WX5 shines. For users craving control and versatility, the A68 delivers handsomely.

Top-Down Look: Controls and Interface

Controls dictate how quickly and intuitively you can adjust settings - the faster you can do this, the more shots you get and the better those shots often turn out, especially in fast-paced situations.

The WX5 has a straightforward, minimalistic top deck with just a shutter button and zoom lever - no physical mode dials due to its automatic focus on simplicity. Perfect for casual shooters but limiting for those wanting manual exposure or creative flexibility.

The A68 sports a more elaborate control scheme: mode dial, dedicated exposure compensation dial, customizable buttons, a popup flash, and a hot shoe for external flashes. The Bionz X processor under the hood complements this hardware with fast response times and easy toggling between AF modes.

I appreciate how the A68’s controls facilitate quick changes under pressure - something I sorely missed on the WX5 during action shots.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

The differences in sensor size and tech are where these cameras truly diverge. The WX5's humble 1/2.3" BSI CMOS sensor measures just 6.17x4.55 mm and packs a 12-megapixel resolution. This sensor size is typical for compacts but significantly limits image quality, dynamic range, and noise performance, especially past ISO 800.

By contrast, the A68 wields an APS-C CMOS sensor (23.5x15.6 mm), a much larger imaging surface with 24 megapixels, allowing for substantial detail, better low light performance, and superior dynamic range.

In practice, this translates into sharper images at base ISO, richer color gradation, and greater latitude for post-processing with the A68. The WX5’s sensor struggles with noise and dynamic limitations, especially visible in shadow-heavy or high-contrast landscapes.

LCD and Viewfinder: What You See is What You Get

The WX5 offers a fixed, 2.8-inch LCD with 461k dots - bright enough but limited in viewing angles and usability under sunlight. No electronic or optical viewfinder means composing with screen glare can be challenging.

The A68 sports a tilting 2.7-inch, 461k dots LCD, and importantly, a high-res electronic viewfinder with 1,440k dots, covering 100% of the frame with 0.57x magnification. This combination offers compositional confidence in bright light and versatile shooting angles.

This viewfinder presence is essential for more serious photographic work, especially telephoto or fast-action shots where holding the camera stable against your face aids steadiness.

Autofocus Capabilities: Fast and Reliable Focus When It Matters

Autofocus systems make or break a camera’s usability in many scenarios. The WX5 relies on contrast detection AF with 9 points, lacking face or eye detection, and only supports single AF locking. It also features continuous shooting at 10fps, but given the modest AF, tracking moving subjects is challenging.

The A68, using an SLT (single-lens translucent) mirror, employs Sony's advanced 79-point AF system including 15 cross-type sensors, combining phase-detection and contrast detection for hybrid AF. It supports continuous AF, face detection, and accurate tracking. The burst shooting clocks up to 8fps with AF tracking - impressive for the price point.

Sony WX5 front Sony WX5 screen back Sony A68 front Sony A68 screen back

In real-world use, the A68 focuses quickly and consistently on moving subjects, making it suitable for sports and wildlife. The WX5 is best reserved for static or slow-moving subjects.

Exploring Key Photography Genres: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Suitability

Now that we’ve covered hardware, let’s analyze practical performance and suitability for various photography disciplines.

Portrait Photography

The A68’s large sensor provides smooth skin tones and better subject separation, especially when paired with fast prime lenses for creamy bokeh. Face detection AF improves focus reliability on eyes, boosting sharpness in portraits.

The WX5 struggles with background blur unless shooting at the shortest focal length and close range. Its narrow aperture range of F2.4-5.9 limits creative control.

Winner: A68 for its sensor size and AF sophistication.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters crave resolution and dynamic range. The A68 shines with 24MP files offering fine details and highlights/shadow recovery, despite absence of weather sealing.

The WX5’s smaller sensor results in noisier images and lower dynamic range, but its ultra-compact size makes it easy to bring on hikes or quick trips.

Winner: A68 hands down for image quality, but WX5 wins on portability.

Wildlife Photography

The A68’s fast hybrid AF with 79 points and 8fps burst speed lets you track and capture animals in motion effectively. The Sony Alpha lens ecosystem offers long telephoto lenses for reach.

The WX5’s contrast detection AF and fixed 24-120mm lens make it poor for wildlife beyond casual snapshots.

Winner: A68 decisively.

Sports Photography

Tracking athletes demands continuous AF, fast shutter, and high burst rate. The A68 delivers with a max shutter speed of 1/4000 sec, exposure modes including shutter priority, and AF continuous.

The WX5’s max shutter speed is slower, no manual exposure modes, and less reliable AF for moving subjects.

Winner: Clearly the A68.

Street Photography

Discretion and portability are prized. The WX5’s tiny footprint and silent operation (no electronic shutter though) mean you can shoot candid moments without drawing attention, but image quality and lens flexibility suffer.

The A68’s bulk works against sneakiness, but its tilting screen and EVF help when working quickly. It’s still manageable for street but less unobtrusive.

Winner: WX5 for stealth, A68 for versatility.

Macro Photography

Neither camera offers dedicated macro lenses, but the WX5 does have a 5cm macro focus range with optical stabilization to aid sharpness.

The A68’s lens selection includes macro primes for genuine close-ups, paired with sensor-based stabilization.

Winner: A68 for serious macro, WX5 okay for casual snaps.

Night and Astro Photography

Large sensor, high ISO, and manual control matter here. The A68 allows up to ISO 25600 (boosted), with manual exposure, making it suitable for nightscapes and astrophotography with noise reduction applied.

The WX5 caps out at ISO 3200, no manual exposure, restricting usability in darkness.

Winner: A68 hands down.

Video Capabilities

The WX5 shoots Full HD 1080p at 50fps in AVCHD format but lacks microphone input, touch controls, or advanced stabilization.

The A68 supports Full HD (1080p) at 60i, 30p, and 24p with multiple codecs including XAVC S, plus mic input for external microphones - a boon for serious videographers.

Both lack 4K or advanced video features.

Winner: A68 for richer video options.

Travel Photography

Here, the WX5’s diminutive size and weight edge out for those prioritizing lightweight carry, albeit at image quality cost.

The A68 offers versatility, higher quality output, longer battery life (510 shots vs unknown WX5 rating), and interchangeable lenses - better for immersive photo adventures but heavier load.

Winner: Depends on priorities; WX5 for ultralight, A68 for quality and versatility.

Professional Work

Raw support, file quality, exposure controls, and workflow integration are critical. The A68 supports RAW with 14-bit files, exposure exposure compensation, manual modes, and tethering options via USB.

The WX5 produces only JPEGs, limiting professional usage.

Winner: A68 by a mile.

Technical Metrics and Performance Scores

While the WX5 was never tested by DxO for score, the A68 received an overall DxOMark score of 79, with 24.1 color depth, 13.5 EV dynamic range, and high ISO rating of 701. These numbers reflect its strong sensor performance among entry-level DSLRs.

Looking at genre-specific scores, the A68 leads significantly in low-light, landscape detail, and portrait color fidelity, while the WX5’s strengths lie in simplicity and very close-range macro.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

A major advantage of the A68 is its support for the Sony / Minolta Alpha lens mount with over 140 lenses available from Sony and third-party manufacturers. This vast ecosystem covers everything from ultra-wide angles to super-telephoto zooms, primes, macros, and specialty lenses - allowing photographers to tailor their gear to nearly any genre.

The WX5’s fixed 24-120mm equivalent lens physically limits creative lens choices, though optical stabilization helps in reducing blur.

The lens ecosystem alone tips the scales heavily in favor of the A68 for those seeking system expandability.

Battery Life and Storage Options

The A68 boasts an impressive battery life of around 510 shots per charge, well above average for enthusiast-level cameras, powered by the NP-FM500H pack. It stores images on SD cards and Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick Pro Duo.

The WX5 uses a smaller NP-BN1 battery, with unknown exact stamina - but compact cameras historically endure fewer shots per charge due to size constraints.

Storage options for both machines are mainstream, with SD and Sony Memory Stick support.

Connectivity and Extras

Both cameras support Eye-Fi wireless cards for photo transfers, USB 2.0, and HDMI outputs. Neither has native Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS, which is understandable given their release dates and market positioning.

The A68 adds mic input for external audio - a key feature for more advanced video shooters.

Value and Price-to-Performance

At launch, the WX5 retailed around $250 and the A68 about $580. Now, both can be found for less on the used market.

For their intended audiences, both offer solid value: the WX5 for casual shooters and video hobbyists on a budget who prize portability; the A68 for photography enthusiasts looking to build a flexible system at entry-level prices.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Having put both cameras through their paces, here’s how I see their roles clearly:

Choose the Sony WX5 if:

• You want the ultimate grab-and-go camera for snapshots, travel, or street photography.
• Portability, ease of use, and bright lens are priorities over image quality.
• You’re not interested in manual control or expanding gear.
• Price sensitivity is a major factor.

The WX5 remains a competent compact for simple, everyday photography with a surprisingly capable shake-reducing lens.

Choose the Sony A68 if:

• You seek advanced control, higher image quality, and superior autofocus performance.
• You’re ready to dive into serious photography genres: portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, night scenes.
• You value a vast lens ecosystem and RAW image support.
• You want decent video features with audio input.
• You’re prepared to carry a somewhat larger, heavier camera for better results.

The A68 acts as a versatile system camera bridging entry-level DSLRs and mirrorless technologies, offering long-term growth potential.

In Conclusion

The Sony WX5 and A68 exist on very different ends of the photographic spectrum - one a compact casual shooter, the other an ambitious APS-C hybrid system. My advice, based on direct, hands-on experience, is to carefully weigh your usage, priorities, and budget against this reality.

While I admire the WX5’s ability to slip into any pocket and capture moments effortlessly, the A68’s technological evolution and performance are undeniable for anyone serious about photography. Whether you’re a newbie prioritizing convenience or an aspiring enthusiast needing capability, both models earn their places in Sony’s storied camera lineage.

Enjoy your photography journey, whichever model you pick!

For further comparison, here’s a final quick visual recap of the strengths and ideal use cases for both cameras.

Sony WX5 front Sony WX5 screen back Sony A68 front Sony A68 screen back