Sony Alpha SLT-A68 vs Pentax 645D

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68

      Pentax 645D
      71
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      65
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Sony Alpha SLT-A68 and the Pentax 645D, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68 was introduced in November 2015 and Pentax 645D was introduced in March 2010. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68 Highlights

      • 24.2 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 25,600 Native ISO
      • 79 Focus Points (79 Cross-type)
      • Image Stabilization
      • 2.7" 461k dot Tilting Screen
      • 1,440k dot Electronic Viewfinder
      • 8.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Built-in Flash

      Pentax 645D Highlights

      • 40 MP Medium format CCD Sensor
      • No Optical Low-pass Filter
      • 200 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 11 Focus Points
      • 3.0" 921k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 1.1 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Wheather Sealed Body
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Sony Alpha SLT-A68
      4. Advantage of Pentax 645D
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Sony Alpha SLT-A68 and Pentax 645D.

      PROS

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68

      Pentax 645D

      •   Video Capture
      •   79 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Webcam Functionality
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Large Sensor
      •   High Resolution Sensor - 40 Megapixel
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68

      Pentax 645D

      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   Low Resolution Viewfinder - 1,440k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 510 shots
      •   No Video Capture
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.1 fps
      •   Low Flash Sync Speed - 1/125 sec
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   Heavy - 1480 g (3.26 lb / 52.21 oz)


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68

      Pentax 645D

      •   Sensor Resolution - 24.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   -2 EV Min AF Detection
      •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.7"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 8.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 79
      •   Weight - 610 g (1.34 lb / 21.52 oz)
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 82
      •   Battery Life - 800 shots

      Advantage of Sony Alpha SLT-A68

      Sony SLT-A68
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Alpha SLT-A68 over Pentax 645D.

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68 vs Pentax 645D
      Video Capture vs
      Lower Native ISO 100 vs 200
      Higher Native ISO 25,600 vs 1,600
      More Focus Points 79 vs 11
      Center Autofocus vs
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Face Detection vs
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Image Stabilization Sensor Shift vs
      Screen Type Tilting vs Fixed
      Live View vs
      Higher Viewfinder Coverage 100% vs 98%
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 8.0 fps vs 1.1 fps
      Built-in Flash vs
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/160 sec vs 1/125 sec
      Average Metering vs
      Lower Min Metering -2 EV vs +2 EV
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 13.5 vs 12.6
      HDMI Output Micro vs
      Speaker Mono vs
      Microphone Input vs
      Lighter 610 g (1.34 lb / 21.52 oz) vs 1480 g (3.26 lb / 52.21 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sony Alpha SLT-A68.

      Sony SLT-A33
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      APS-C

      14.2 MP

      Sony SLT-A58
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      APS-C

      20.1 MP

      Sony SLT-A65
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.3 MP

      Sony SLT-A77 II
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.3 MP

      Sony SLT-A35
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      APS-C

      16.2 MP

      Sony SLT-A77
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.3 MP

      Sony SLT-A55
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      APS-C

      16.2 MP

      Sony SLT-A57
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony SLT-A37
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony SLT-A99
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      Full Frame

      24.3 MP

      Sony SLT-A99 II
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      Full Frame

      42.4 MP

      Sony a9
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      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Advantage of Pentax 645D

      Pentax 645D
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pentax 645D over Sony Alpha SLT-A68.

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68 vs Pentax 645D
      Larger Sensor APS-C vs Medium format
      Higher Sensor Resolution 24.2 Megapixel vs 40 Megapixel
      Max Image Resolution 6000 x 4000 vs 7264 x 5440
      Timelapse Recording vs
      Larger Screen 2.7" vs 3.0"
      Higher Resolution Screen 461k dot vs 921k dot
      Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.59x vs 0.71x
      Higher Max Metering +17 EV vs +21 EV
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 701 vs 1262
      Higher DxO Color Depth 24.1 vs 24.6
      Higher DxO Overall Score 79 vs 82
      Environmental Sealing vs
      Longer Battery Life 510 shots vs 800 shots
      More Storage Slots 1 vs 2

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Pentax 645D.

      Pentax 645Z
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      Medium format

      51.4 MP

      Canon Rebel T7i
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon 5DS R
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Fujifilm X-S10
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      APS-C

      26.1 MP

      Canon 10D
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      APS-C

      6 MP

      Canon 5DS
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Sony a7 III
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      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Sony a7R IV
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      Full Frame

      61.0 MP

      Sony a6300
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon 70D
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      APS-C

      20.2 MP

      Sony a7R IIIA
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      Full Frame

      42.4 MP

      Pentax K-50
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      APS-C

      16.3 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Sony Alpha SLT-A68 Pentax 645D
        Live View Autofocus
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Sony Alpha SLT-A68 Pentax 645D
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi Eye-Fi is possible
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68 has a 2.7" Tilting screen with 461k dot resolution and Pentax 645D has a 3.0" Fixed screen with 921k dot resolution. Tilting screen makes Sony Alpha SLT-A68 very useful for photography purposes but not so useful for video shooting.

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      Sony Alpha SLT-A68 with Tilting screen


      Viewfinder

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68 has a built-in Electronic viewfinder with 1,440k dot resolution and Pentax 645D has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. Sony Alpha SLT-A68 has 100% coverage with 0.88x (0.59x 35mm equivalent) magnification and Pentax 645D has 98% coverage with 0.56x (0.71x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

      Sensor

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68 features a 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.5 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 366.6 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 25,600. Pentax 645D features a 40 megapixel Medium format CCD sensor with dimensions of 44 x 33 mm and a total area of 1089 mm2. Its native ISO range is 200 - 1,600 and expands to 100 - 1,600 in boosted mode.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68 is equipped with BIONZ X processor and can take pictures up to 6000 x 4000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3:2 (4240 x 2832, 3008 x 2000), 16:9 (6000 x 3376, 4240 x 2400, 3008 x 1688) with 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Pentax 645D is equipped with PRIME II processor and can take pictures up to 7264 x 5440 resolution.


      Lens Mount

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68 has Sony A lens mount and Pentax 645D has Pentax 645AF2 lens mount. Due to APS-C sensor in Sony Alpha SLT-A68 its crop factor is equal to 1.5x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5. Due to Medium format sensor in Pentax 645D its crop factor is equal to 0.79x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 0.79.


      No Low-Pass Filter on Pentax 645D

      There is no optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing filter, in front of the sensor on Pentax 645D. This results in a slightly sharper image but may also introduce moiré patterns and aliasing artifacts when photographing subjects with fine, repetitive patterns or details.


      In-Body Image Stabilization on Sony Alpha SLT-A68

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68 has a built-in Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when camera is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68 comes with NP-FM500H battery pack with battery life of 510 shots and Pentax 645D comes with D-LI90 battery pack with battery life of 800 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo Hybrid (UHS-I) card slot. Pentax 645D has Dual SD/SDHC card slots.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Sony Alpha SLT-A68, and up to 1/4000 sec on Pentax 645D. Sony Alpha SLT-A68 can shoot continuously up to 8.0 fps. Pentax 645D can shoot continuously up to 1.1 fps.


      Focusing

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68 has 79 (15 cross-type) focusing points and Pentax 645D has 11 focusing points. Sony Alpha SLT-A68 has detection range from -2 to +18 EV.


      Exposure

      Exposure meterings of Sony Alpha SLT-A68 and Pentax 645D range from -2 to +17 EV and +2 to +21 EV respectively and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range. You can also do exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Sony Alpha SLT-A68 and exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Pentax 645D.


      Flash

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m at ISO 100 and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. Pentax 645D has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Hot Shoe (P-TTL or high speed sync available) or wireless with PENTAX dedicated flash or X-sync socket. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec on Sony Alpha SLT-A68 and 1/125 sec on Pentax 645D.

      Physical Parameters

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68 body has dimensions of 143 x 104 x 81 mm (5.63 x 4.09 x 3.19") and Pentax 645D body has dimensions of 156 x 117 x 119 mm (6.14 x 4.61 x 4.69"). Sony Alpha SLT-A68 weighs 610 g (1.34 lb / 21.52 oz) and Pentax 645D weighs 1480 g (3.26 lb / 52.21 oz).

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68

      Pentax 645D

      143 mm

      104 mm

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      156 mm

      117 mm

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      104 mm

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      117 mm

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      81 mm

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      119 mm

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      Size comparisons of Sony Alpha SLT-A68 and Pentax 645D

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68 and Pentax 645D for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68

      Pentax 645D

      GOOD
      71
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      EXCELLENT
      86
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68

      Pentax 645D

      GOOD
      72
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   79 Focus Points
      •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   Low Resolution Viewfinder - 1,440k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 8.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 510 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      63
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.1 fps
      •   Battery Life - 800 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68

      Pentax 645D

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   79 Focus Points
      •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   Low Resolution Viewfinder - 1,440k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 8.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 510 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.1 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Battery Life - 800 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68

      Pentax 645D

      GOOD
      82
      •   79 Focus Points
      •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.7"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      77
      •   Large Sensor
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Flash Sync Speed - 1/125 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68

      Pentax 645D

      GOOD
      82
      •   79 Focus Points
      •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 610 g (1.34 lb / 21.52 oz)
      GOOD
      70
      •   Large Sensor
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1480 g (3.26 lb / 52.21 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68

      Pentax 645D

      GOOD
      79
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 610 g (1.34 lb / 21.52 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 510 shots
      AVERAGE
      58
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1480 g (3.26 lb / 52.21 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 800 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Sony Alpha SLT-A68 and Pentax 645D and give them scores of 71 and 65 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Sony Alpha SLT-A68

      Pentax 645D

      OVERALL
      71
      OVERALL
      65

      Sensor

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68

      Pentax 645D

      GOOD
      71
      •   Sensor Resolution - 24.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 79
      GOOD
      80
      •   Large Sensor
      •   High Resolution Sensor - 40 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 82

      Photo

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68

      Pentax 645D

      GOOD
      77
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 8.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      GOOD
      71
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.1 fps
      •   Low Flash Sync Speed - 1/125 sec

      Video

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68

      Pentax 645D

      POOR
      52
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Webcam Functionality
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization

      Focusing

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68

      Pentax 645D

      GOOD
      83
      •   -2 EV Min AF Detection
      •   79 Focus Points
      •   15 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      GOOD
      71
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68

      Pentax 645D

      GOOD
      70
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.7"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   Low Resolution Viewfinder - 1,440k dot
      GOOD
      73
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot

      Connectivity

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68

      Pentax 645D

      GOOD
      78
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      POOR
      52
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Sony Alpha SLT-A68

      Pentax 645D

      POOR
      41
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 610 g (1.34 lb / 21.52 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 510 shots
      GOOD
      70
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1480 g (3.26 lb / 52.21 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 800 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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