Sony α 68 User Manual

Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera ILCA-68

How to Use

Before Use

Names of parts

Checking the camera and the supplied items [1]
Identifying parts (Front side) [2]
Identifying parts (Rear side) [3]
Identifying parts (Top side) [4]
Identifying parts (Sides/Bottom) [5]
Identifying parts Lens DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II (Supplied with the ILCA-68K) [6]

Icons and indicators

List of icons on the screen [7]
Display panel [8]

Using the strap

Using the shoulder strap [9]

Attaching the eyepiece cup

Attaching the eyepiece cup [10]

Adjusting the viewfinder

Adjusting the viewfinder (diopter-adjustment) [11]

In-Camera guide

About the [In-Camera Guide] [12]

Preparing the camera

Charging the battery pack

Charging the battery pack using a charger [13]
Inserting the battery pack into the camera [14]
Battery life and the number of images that can be recorded/played back using a battery

pack [15]
Supplying power using a wall outlet (wall socket) [16]
Removing the battery pack [17]

Inserting a memory card (sold separately)

Inserting a memory card [18]
Removing the memory card [19]

Attaching a lens

Attaching a lens [20]
Removing the lens [21]
Notes on changing the lens [22]

Setting the date and time

Setting the date and time [23]

Confirming the operation method

Confirming the operation method

Using the control wheel [24]
Using MENU items [25]
Using the Fn (Function) button [26]

Using the "Quick Navi" [27]

Shooting

Shooting still images/movies

Shooting still images [28]
Shooting movies [29]

Selecting a shooting mode

List of mode dial functions [30]
Intelligent Auto [31]
Superior Auto [32]
About Scene Recognition [33]
The advantages of automatic shooting [34]
Program Auto [35]
Sweep Panorama [36]
Scene Selection [37]
Tele-zoom Cont. AE [38]
Shutter Priority [39]
Aperture Priority [40]
Manual Exposure [41]
BULB [42]
Memory recall [43]
Movie [44]

Using shooting functions

Using the zoom

Zoom [45]
The zoom features available with this product [46]
Zoom Setting [47]
About zoom scale [48]

Smart Telecon. [49]

Using the flash

Using flash [50]
Flash Mode [51]
Flash Comp. [52]
FEL Lock [53]
Flash control [54]
Power ratio [55]

Selecting a screen display mode

Switching the screen display (Shooting) [56]
DISP Button (Finder) [57]
DISP Button (Monitor) [58]

Selecting still image size/image quality

Image Size (still image) [59]
Aspect Ratio (still image) [60]
Quality (still image) [61]
Panorama: Size [62]
Panorama: Direction [63]

Adjusting the focus

Changing the focus method using the focus mode switch [64]
Focus Area [65]
Center Lock-on AF [66]
AF Area Auto Clear [67]
AF Area Points [68]
Flexible Spot Points [69]
Wide AF Area Disp. [70]
Focus-lock [71]
Manual Focus [72]

Focus Magnifier [73]
Focus Magnif. Time [74]
Peaking Level [75]
Peaking Color [76]
Eye-Start AF (still image) [77]
AF Illuminator (still image) [78]
AF Micro Adj. [79]
AF w/ shutter (still image) [80]
AF On [81]
Eye AF [82]
AF drive speed (still image) [83]
AF Track Sens (still image) [84]
AF Track Sens (movie) [85]
Measuring the exact distance to the subject [86]
AF Range Control [87]
Priority setup [88]

Adjusting the exposure

Exposure Comp. [89]
Exposure compensation button [90]
Metering Mode [91]
AE lock [92]
AEL w/ shutter (still image) [93]
Exp.comp.set [94]
Zebra [95]
Exposure Set. Guide [96]
Exposure step [97]
Dial/Wheel Ev Comp [98]

Selecting a drive mode (Continuous shooting/Self-timer)

Drive Mode [99]
Cont. Shooting [100]

Self-timer [101]

Self-timer(Cont) [102]
Cont. Bracket [103]
Single Bracket [104]
WB bracket [105]
DRO Bracket [106]
Bracket order [107]

Selecting the ISO sensitivity

ISO [108]
Multi Frame NR [109]

Correcting the brightness or contrast

D-Range Opt. (DRO) [110]
Auto HDR [111]

Adjusting color tones

White Balance [112]
Capturing a basic white color in [Custom Setup] mode [113]

Selecting an effect mode

Picture Effect [114]
Creative Style [115]

Recording movies

Movie recording formats [116]
File Format (movie) [117]
Record Setting (movie) [118]
SteadyShot (movie) [119]
Audio Recording [120]
Audio Level Display [121]
Audio Rec Level [122]

Wind Noise Reduct. [123]
Auto Slow Shut. (movie) [124]
MOVIE Button [125]

Customizing the shooting functions for convenient use

Memory [126]
Function Menu Set. [127]
Custom Key Settings [128]
Function of the focus hold button [129]
Function of the AEL button [130]
Function of the ISO button [131]
Function of the Exposure Compensation button [132]
Function of the WB button [133]
Function of the Drive Mode button [134]
Function of the Preview Button [135]
Function of the Custom button [136]
Function of the center button [137]
Dial/Wheel Setup [138]

Setting the other functions of this product

Smile/Face Detect. [139]
Soft Skin Effect (still image) [140]
Face Registration (New Registration) [141]
Face Registration (Order Exchanging) [142]
Face Registration (Delete) [143]
Red Eye Reduction [144]
Auto Obj. Framing (still image) [145]
SteadyShot (still image) [146]
Long Exposure NR (still image) [147]
High ISO NR (still image) [148]
Color Space (still image) [149]
Grid Line [150]

Auto Review [151]

Live View Display [152]
FINDER/MONITOR [153]
Release w/o Lens [154]
SteadyS. w/ shut. [155]
e-Front Curtain Shut. [156]
Superior Auto (Image Extraction) [157]
Superior Auto (Cont. Shooting) [158]
Shading Comp. [159]
Chro. Aber. Comp. [160]
Distortion Comp. [161]
Dial / Wheel Lock [162]
Deactivate Monitor [163]
Aperture Preview [164]
Shot. Result Preview [165]

Viewing

Viewing still images

Playing back images [166]
Playback zoom [167]
Image Index [168]
Switching the screen display (during playback) [169]

Deleting images

Deleting a displayed image [170]
Deleting multiple selected images [171]

Playing back movies

Playing back movies [172]

Viewing panoramic images

Playing back panoramic images [173]

Printing

Specify Printing [174]

Using viewing functions

View Mode [175]
Display Rotation [176]
Slide Show [177]
Rotate [178]
Protect [179]
4K Still Image PB [180]

Viewing images on a TV

Viewing images on an HD TV [181]
Viewing images on a “BRAVIA” Sync-compatible TV [182]

Changing settings

Setup menu

Monitor Brightness [183]
Viewfinder Bright. [184]
Finder Color Temp. [185]
Volume Settings [186]
Audio signals [187]
Upload Settings(Eye-Fi) [188]
Tile Menu [189]
Mode Dial Guide [190]
Delete confirm. [191]
Pwr Save Start Time [192]
PAL/NTSC Selector [193]
Cleaning Mode [194]

Demo Mode [195]
HDMI Resolution [196]
CTRL FOR HDMI [197]
HDMI Info. Display [198]
USB Connection [199]
USB LUN Setting [200]
Language [201]
Date/Time Setup [202]
Area Setting [203]
Format [204]
File Number [205]
Select REC Folder [206]
New Folder [207]
Folder Name [208]
Recover Image DB [209]
Display Media Info. [210]
Version [211]
Setting Reset [212]

Viewing on computers

Recommended computer environment

Recommended computer environment [213]

Using the software

PlayMemories Home [214]
Installing PlayMemories Home [215]
Software for Mac computers [216]
Image Data Converter [217]
Installing Image Data Converter [218]
Accessing Image Data Converter Guide [219]
Remote Camera Control [220]

Installing Remote Camera Control [221]
Accessing the Help of Remote Camera Control [222]

Connecting this product and a computer

Connecting the product to a computer [223]
Importing images to the computer [224]
Disconnecting the product from the computer [225]

Creating a movie disc

Selecting a disc to be created [226]
Creating Blu-ray Discs from high-definition image quality movies [227]
Creating DVD discs (AVCHD recording discs) from high-definition image quality movies

[228]
Creating DVD discs from standard image quality movies [229]

Precautions/This product

Precautions

Precautions [230]
On the internal rechargeable battery [231]
Battery pack and battery charger [232]
Memory card [233]

Cleaning this product

On cleaning [234]

Number of recordable still images and recordable time of
movies

Number of still images [235]
Recordable time of movies [236]

Using this product abroad

Plug adaptor [237]
On TV color systems [238]

Other information

License [239]

Trademarks

Trademarks [240]

Troubleshooting

If you have problems

If you have problems

Troubleshooting [241]

Troubleshooting

Battery pack and power

You cannot insert the battery pack into the product. [242]
You cannot turn on the product. [243]
The power turns off suddenly. [244]
The remaining battery level indicator shows an incorrect level. [245]
The CHARGE lamp of the battery charger flashes when charging the battery pack. [246]

Shooting still images/movies

You cannot record images. [247]
Recording takes a long time. [248]
The image is out of focus. [249]

The flash does not work. [250]

Fuzzy white circular spots appear on images shot using the flash. [251]
The recording date and time are not displayed on the screen. [252]
The date and time are recorded incorrectly. [253]
The aperture value and/or shutter speed and/or metering indicator flashes. [254]
The image colors are not correct. [255]
Noise appears in the image when you view the screen in a dark place. [256]
The eyes of the subject come out red. [257]
Dots appear and remain on the screen. [258]
You cannot shoot images continuously. [259]
The image is not clear in the viewfinder. [260]
The image is whitish (Flare)./Blurring of light appears on the image (Ghosting). [261]
The corners of the picture are too dark. [262]
The image is blurred. [263]
The monitor darkens after a short period of time passed. [264]
The flash takes too long to recharge. [265]
The control dial does not work. [266]

Viewing images

Images cannot be played back. [267]
The date and time are not displayed. [268]
The image cannot be deleted. [269]
The image was deleted by mistake. [270]
A DPOF mark cannot be put. [271]

Computers

The computer does not recognize this product. [272]
You cannot import images. [273]
The image and sound are interrupted by noise when viewing a movie on a computer.

[274]
Images exported from a computer cannot be viewed on this product. [275]

Memory cards

Formatted the memory card by mistake. [276]

Printing

You cannot print images. [277]
The color of the image is strange. [278]
Images are printed with both edges cut off. [279]
You cannot print images with the date. [280]

Others

The lens gets fogged. [281]
The product becomes warm when you use it for a long time. [282]
The Clock Set screen appears when you turn on the product. [283]
The number of recordable images does not decrease, or decreases two images at a time.

[284]
The product does not work properly. [285]

Messages

Messages

Warning messages [286]

Situations this product has difficulty handling

Situations this product has difficulty handling

Situations this product has difficulty handling [287]

[1] How to Use Before Use Names of parts

Checking the camera and the supplied items

First check the model name of your camera.

The accessories supplied differ depending on the model.
The number in parentheses indicates the number of pieces.

Supplied with all models:

Camera (1)
BC-VM10A Battery charger (1)

Power cord (mains lead) (1) (supplied in some countries/regions)

*

Multiple power cords may be supplied with your camera. Use the appropriate one that matches

your country/region.

NP-FM500H Rechargeable battery pack (1)

Micro USB Cable (1)

Shoulder strap (1)

Body cap (1) (Attached on the camera)

Eyepiece cup (1) (Attached on the camera)
Instruction Manual (1)

ILCA-68K

DT 18-55 mm zoom lens (1)/Front lens cap (1)/Packaging lid (1)

[2] How to Use Before Use Names of parts

Identifying parts (Front side)

1. Shutter button

2. Power switch

3. Control dial

4. Self-timer lamp

5. Lens contacts*

6. Mirror*

7. Preview button

8. Mount

9. Built-in flash*
Press the (Flash pop-up) button to use the flash. In [Intelligent Auto] and [Scene

Selection] mode, the flash pops up automatically when you press the shutter button if
the camera determines that the light is insufficient or that the subject is backlit.
When not using the flash, press it back into the camera body.

10. Microphone**

11. Mode dial lock release button

12. Mode dial

13. (Flash pop-up) button

14. Mounting index

15. Lens release button

16. Focus mode switch

*

Do not directly touch these parts.

**

Do not cover this part during movie recording. Doing so may cause noise or lower the volume.

[3] How to Use Before Use Names of parts

Identifying parts (Rear side)

1. Eyepiece cup

2. Eye sensor

3. MENU button

4. Viewfinder*
When you look into the viewfinder, the viewfinder mode is activated, and when you

take your face away from the viewfinder, the screen mode returns to the monitor
mode.

5. Diopter-adjustment dial
Adjust the diopter-adjustment dial according to your eyesight until the display

appears clearly in the viewfinder.

6. Monitor

7. MOVIE button

8. For shooting: C1 (Custom 1) button

For viewing: (Enlarge) button

9. For shooting: AEL (AE lock) button/SLOW SYNC button

For viewing: (Image index) button

10. Control wheel

11. For shooting: Fn (Function) button
For viewing: (Image rotation) button

12. C2 (Custom 2) button

For viewing: (Delete) button

13. (Playback) button

*

Do not directly touch this part.

[4] How to Use Before Use Names of parts

Identifying parts (Top side)

1. Multi interface shoe*

2. FINDER/MONITOR button

3. Display panel

4. / (Drive Mode) button

5. WB (White balance) button

6. (Exposure Comp.) button

7. ISO button

8. (Display panel illumination) button

9. Image sensor position mark

*

For details on compatible accessories of the Multi interface shoe, visit the Sony website in your
area, or consult your Sony dealer or local authorized Sony service facility.
Accessories for the Accessory Shoe can also be used.
Operations with other manufactures' accessories are not guaranteed.

[5] How to Use Before Use Names of parts

Identifying parts (Sides/Bottom)

1. Hooks for shoulder strap
Attach both ends of the strap onto the camera.

2. Microphone jack
When an external microphone is connected, the internal microphone is turned off

automatically.
When the external microphone is a plugin-power type, the power of the microphone
is supplied by the camera.

3. Speaker

4. DC IN terminal
When connecting the AC-PW10AM AC Adaptor (sold separately) to the camera, turn

the camera off, then plug the connector of the AC Adaptor to the DC IN terminal on
the camera.

5. HDMI micro jack

6. Multi/Micro USB Terminal*
Supports Micro USB compatible device.

7. Memory card insertion slot

8. Memory card cover

9. Access lamp

10. Battery insertion slot

11. Battery cover

12. Tripod socket hole
Use a tripod with a screw less than 5.5 mm (7/32 inches) long.

Otherwise, you cannot firmly secure the camera, and damage to the camera may
occur.

*

For details on compatible accessories for the Multi/Micro USB Terminal, visit the Sony website, or

consult your Sony dealer or local authorized Sony service facility.

[6] How to Use Before Use Names of parts

Identifying parts Lens DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II
(Supplied with the ILCA-68K)

1. Focusing ring

2. Zoom ring

3. Focal-length scale

4. Focal-length index

5. Lens contacts*

6. Focusing mode switch

7. Mounting index

*

Do not directly touch this part.

The DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II is designed for Sony A-mount cameras (models
equipped with an APS-C sized image sensor).
You cannot use this lens on 35mm-format cameras.
For the lenses other than DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II, refer to the operating
instructions supplied with the lens.

[7] How to Use Before Use Icons and indicators

List of icons on the screen

The displayed contents and their positions shown below are just a guideline, and may differ
from the actual display.

Monitor mode

For playback (Basic information display)

Viewfinder mode

In Auto Mode or Scene Selection mode

P/A/S/M/Sweep Panorama mode

1. P P* A S M

Shooting mode

Register number

Scene Recognition icons

Memory card status/Uploading status

100

Remaining number of recordable images

Aspect ratio of still images

24M / 12M / 6.0M / 20M / 10M / 5.1M

Image size of still images

Image quality of still images

Frame rate of movies

Image size of movies

Remaining battery

Remaining battery warning

Flash charge in progress

Setting Effect OFF

No audio recording of movies

Wind Noise Reduction

SteadyShot/Camera shake warning

Overheating warning

Database file full/Database file error

Smart Zoom/ Clear Image Zoom/Digital Zoom

Spot metering area

Audio level

View Mode

100-0003

Folder number - file number

Protect

Recording mode of movies

DPOF

DPOF set

Auto Obj. Framing

Smart Telecon.

PC Remote

2.
Drive mode

Flash mode/Red-eye reduction

±0.0

Flash compensation

Focus mode

Focus area

Smile/Face Detect.

Metering mode

7500K A5 G5

White balance (Auto, Preset, Custom, Color temperature, Color filter)

D-Range Optimizer/Auto HDR

Creative Style/Contrast, Saturation, Sharpness

Picture Effect

+3 +3 +3

Smile detection sensitivity indicator

Zebra

3.
EV scale

AF Range Control

Exposure compensation/Flash compensation gauge

Exposure compensation/Metered Manual

REC 0:12

Recording time of the movie (m:s)

Focus

1/250

Shutter speed

F3.5

Aperture Value

ISO400

ISO AUTO

ISO sensitivity

AE lock/FEL lock

Shutter speed indicator

Aperture indicator

Histogram

Auto HDR image warning

Picture Effect error

2016-1-1

10:37PM

Date of recording

3/7

File number/Number of images in the view mode

[8] How to Use Before Use Icons and indicators

Display panel

You can set the shutter speed and aperture, exposure compensation, flash compensation,
ISO, white balance, drive mode, and image quality, etc., using the display panel on top of
the camera.

Shutter speed/Aperture

Exposure compensation/Flash compensation

ISO

White Balance

Drive Mode

Image quality

Remaining battery

Number of recordable images*

*

Even if the number of recordable images is higher than 9,999 images, "9999" will appear on the

display panel.

To turn on the display panel backlight

Press the illumination button (A) on top of the camera. If you press the button again, the
display panel backlight will turn off.

[9] How to Use Before Use Using the strap

Using the shoulder strap

Attach the shoulder strap to prevent damage caused by dropping the product.

1. Attach both ends of the strap.

[10] How to Use Before Use Attaching the eyepiece cup

Attaching the eyepiece cup

It is recommended that you attach the eyepiece cup when you intend to use the viewfinder.

1. Match the eyepiece cup to the groove on the viewfinder and slide it into place.

To remove the eyepiece cup, grasp it on the left and right sides and lift it up.

[11] How to Use Before Use Adjusting the viewfinder

Adjusting the viewfinder (diopter-adjustment)

Adjust the diopter scale to your eyesight until the display appears clearly in the viewfinder. If
it is difficult to turn the diopter-adjustment dial, remove the eyepiece cup and then adjust the
dial.

1. Turn the diopter-adjustment dial.

[12] How to Use Before Use In-Camera guide

About the [In-Camera Guide]

The [In-Camera Guide] displays descriptions of MENU items, Fn (Function) button, and
settings, and if a function cannot be set, the reason why.

1. MENU → (Custom Settings) → [Custom Key Settings] → desired functions
assigned to the button → [In-Camera Guide]

2. Press the MENU or Fn button.

3. Select the desired MENU item using up/down/left/right side on the control wheel.

4. Press the button to which the [In-Camera Guide] function is assigned.
The operation guide for the MENU item you have selected in step 3 is displayed.

If you press the on the center of the control wheel after selecting an item shown
in gray, the reason the item cannot be set is displayed.

[13] How to Use Preparing the camera Charging the battery pack

Charging the battery pack using a charger

When using the camera for the first time, be sure to charge the InfoLITHIUM NP-FM500H
(supplied). The InfoLITHIUM battery pack can be charged even when it is not fully depleted.
It can also be used when it is not fully charged. The charged battery pack discharges little by
little even when it is not being used. To avoid missing a shooting opportunity, charge the
battery pack again before shooting.

1. Insert the battery pack into the battery charger.
Push the battery pack lightly until it clicks.

2. Connect the battery charger to the wall outlet (wall socket).
How to connect the battery charger may differ depending on the country/region.

With the battery charger that can be connected to the wall
outlet (wall socket) directly