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3.7
12 reviews
74

Sony Alpha DSLR-A300


$800.00 Released April, 2008

Product Shot 1 The Pros:Articulating screen combined with Live View allows for easier over-the-heads and ground-level shots. In-camera image stabilization allows for using of non-stabilized lenses, by thus lowering the cost of ownership. More superior LiveView implementation compared to competition (has to be proven yet).

The Cons:Kit lens is lower quality then the competition. Noise at higher ISOs. Accessories can be expensive.

The Sony Alpha DSLR-A300, along with the DSLR-A350 are Sony's latest announced Digital SLR cameras. These models are essentially upgrades to the Alpha DSLR-A200 release in the fall of 2007. Both the 350 and 300 have two distinct new features: 1) Live View mode for the LCD viewfinder, and 2) an articulating LCD screen.

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Product Shot 2
The A300 features a 10.8 megapixel sensor, whereas the A350 boasts an impressive 14.2 megapixels. The A350 sells for $700 for the camera and DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 standard zoom lens (DSLR-A300K), and $900 for a kit bundled with an additional 55-200mm telephoto lens (DSLR-A300X). Both versions (A300K, A300X) are available in the United States for pre-order now from the SonyStyle.com online store and are expected to ship April 2nd and April 25th, 2008, respectively.

Sony's Digital S.L.R. Revolution The historic feature of Sony’s Alpha A300 and A350 digital cameras is the back-panel screen. It lets you frame the shot before you take it, just as you can on pocket cameras; you don’t have to hold the camera up to your eye. That makes a big difference when shooting over your head, down at floor or knee level, and when photographing children, since you can make eye contact and smile without hiding your face behind the camera.
Source
Product Specifications

Weight (Approx.)

  • 1 lb. 4.5 oz (582g) body, not including battery, lens and media

Dimensions (Approx.)

  • (WHD) 5 1/4" x 4" x 3" (130.8 x 98.5 x 74.7 mm)

Megapixel

  • 10.2MP

Imaging Device

  • 10.2 (effective) APS CCD Sensor; 23.6 x 15.8 mm; RGB primary color filter

LCD

  • Tiltable 2.7"1 TFT (230k pixels) LCD with Clear Photo™ design

Viewfinder

  • Optical: TTL, 0.74x magnification with 50mm lens at infinity; 95% coverage

Microphone

  • N/A

White Balance

  • Auto plus 8 Modes (Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Tempature/Color filter, Custom), each with +/-3 adjustable step.

Self Timer

  • Yes (10 seconds, 2 seconds, Off)

Red-Eye Reduction

  • On/Off (all modes)

Burst Mode

  • Max 3 FPS with optical viewfinder. 2FPS in live view mode., Shooting Capacity: JPEG (L size, Fine): Until memory card is full. RAW: 6 frames. RAW + JPEG: 3 frames.

Color Mode(s)

  • Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Night view, Sunset, Black & White, Adobe RGB (Except for Adobe RGB, all other color modes use the sRGB color space)

USB Port(s)

  • Yes, Supports USB 2.0 Hi-speed

Output(s)

  • Video: Yes, NTSC/PAL Selectable

Focus

  • Auto Focus: TTL Phase Detection, Multi-point: 9 Area, 8 Line, 1 Cross Sensor, Auto Focus Mode: Yes, Adjustable Spot AF: Selectable Sensor, Visual Focus Confirm: Direct via Spherical Acute Matte Screen

Shutter Speed

  • 1/4000 - 30 sec., Bulb

ISO

  • Auto/100/200/400/800/1600/3200

EV Compensation

  • ±2.0 EV, 1/3 EV Steps

Exposure

  • Manual Exposure: Yes, w/EV indicator, Manual Exposure: Yes; Aperture/Shutter Priority, Manual, Program Shift: Yes, Command Dial

Lens Type

  • Interchangeable A-mount

Flash Effective Range

  • GN12 at ISO 100 (39 feet/ 12 meters)

Flash Mode(s)

  • Built-in Auto Pop-up: Auto, Fill-flash, Rear flash sync, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Wireless off camera flash (with Flash HVL-F56AM, F36AM)

Battery Type

  • NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable battery

Battery Capacity

  • 7.2V, 1600 mAh; CIPA standard: approx. 730 pictures3

Limited Warranty

  • 1 Year Parts & Labor

Supplied Software

  • Image Data Converter SR ver.2.0, Image Data Lightbox SR ver.1.0, (all Windows & Macintosh), Picture Motion Browser Ver.2.1.02 (Windows only)

Operating System Compatibility

  • Microsoft® Windows® 2000 Professional, ME, XP Home and Professional; Macintosh® OS X (v 10.3 or later). OS must be installed at the factory.

Histogram Display

  • Yes - RGB, playback only

AF Illuminator Light

  • Yes, On/Off Select

Multi-Pattern Measuring

  • 40 Segment, Center Weighted, Spot

Clear RAW NR

  • N/A

Scene Mode(s)

  • Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Night View/Night Portrait

Movie Mode(s)

  • N/A

Live View

  • Yes

BIONZ™ Engine

  • Yes (LSI with Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO/DRO+))
Accessories Supplied
  • SAL-1870 DT 18-70mm f3.5 Zoom lens (27 - 105 35mm eq), SAL-55200 DT 55-200mm F4-5.6 Telephoto Zoom Lens
  • NP-FM500H rechargeable battery
  • BC-VM10 battery charger
  • Video and USB cables
  • Shoulder strap with eyepiece cap and Remote Commander clip
  • Body cap
  • Software/USB Driver CD-ROM
  • NOTE: No Memory Stick media nor adaptors are included.

User Reviews (12)

  •  
Add Pros & Cons
74
ProScore
Pros
  • 9

    Articulating screen combined with Live View allows for easier over-the-heads and ground-level shots

  • 9

    In-camera image stabilization allows for using of non-stabilized lenses, by thus lowering the cost of ownership

  • 8

    More superior LiveView implementation compared to competition (has to be proven yet)

  • 7

    Battery life is better than the competition

  • 5

    Good balance between resolution (10.2 MP) and low-light performance for APS-C size sensor

  • 2

    FPS (frames per second) rate and overall performance is better then A350

  • 2

    offers control over numerous exposure modes including aperture-priority, shutter-priority, program, manual, and bulb mode

  • 2

    controls are generally well positioned

  • 2

    ergonomic grip makes it comfortable to hold

  • 2

    fast startup/shutdown

  • 2

    good colour reproduction

  • 2

    Uses older Milolta Maxxum lenses

  • 1

    Noise level is better than in A350

  • 1

    Very user friendly

  • 1

    has a 10.2-megapixel resolution, which is somewhat higher than some similarly priced digital cameras

  • -2

    Startup/shutdown time can be better

Cons
  • 2

    Kit lens is lower quality then the competition

  • 2

    Noise at higher ISOs

  • 2

    accessories can be expensive

  • 2

    no SDHC support

  • 2

    expensive Sony lenses

  • 2

    no lens cap holder

  • 2

    must use flash to focus in low light

  • 2

    plastic body

  • 1

    A300K is $100 more expensive in Canada than in US after currency conversion.

  • 1

    small viewfinder with low magnification

  • 0

    Startup/shutdown time can be better

  • 0

    A300X is not available in Canada

  • -1

    large and heavy for a DSLR

Videos
Gallery
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 1
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
  • Back view
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 2
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 3
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 4
  • A300 on SonyStyle.com
  • Right Side View
  • Back View - LCD flipped down
  • A300KN "Gold" top
  • A300KN "Gold" top 1
  • A300KN "Gold" side
  • A300KN "Gold" side 1
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A300X
Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 1 zoom

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