Sony Alpha DSLR-A300

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.
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.

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Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 1
MSRP $800.00
Release date April, 2008
Brand --
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Pros & Cons28
Reviews9
Details
Buy It1
Competitors2
Comments
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
8 reviews
76
negative
mixed
positive
6 positive
1 mixed
0 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

show me!

Pros:
Do you agree?
•
More superior LiveView implementation compared to competition (has to be proven yet)
+7agreedisagree

•
Articulating screen combined with Live View allows for easier over-the-heads and ground-level shots
+7agreedisagree

•
In-camera image stabilization allows for using of non-stabilized lenses, by thus lowering the cost of ownership
+7agreedisagree

•
Battery life is better than the competition
+5agreedisagree

•
Good balance between resolution (10.2 MP) and low-light performance for APS-C size sensor
+4agreedisagree

•
FPS (frames per second) rate and overall performance is better then A350
+2agreedisagree

•
fast startup/shutdown
+2agreedisagree

•
Noise level is better than in A350
+1agreedisagree

•
Very user friendly
+1agreedisagree

•
offers control over numerous exposure modes including aperture-priority, shutter-priority, program, manual, and bulb mode
+1agreedisagree

•
controls are generally well positioned
+1agreedisagree

•
ergonomic grip makes it comfortable to hold
+1agreedisagree

•
good colour reproduction
+1agreedisagree

•
has a 10.2-megapixel resolution, which is somewhat higher than some similarly priced digital cameras
0agreedisagree

•
Startup/shutdown time can be better
-1agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
•
Kit lens is lower quality then the competition
+2agreedisagree

•
Noise at higher ISOs
+2agreedisagree

•
accessories can be expensive
+2agreedisagree

•
no SDHC support
+2agreedisagree

•
expensive Sony lenses
+2agreedisagree

•
must use flash to focus in low light
+2agreedisagree

•
A300K is $100 more expensive in Canada than in US after currency conversion.
+1agreedisagree

•
no lens cap holder
+1agreedisagree

•
plastic body
+1agreedisagree

•
small viewfinder with low magnification
+1agreedisagree

•
Startup/shutdown time can be better
0agreedisagree

•
A300X is not available in Canada
0agreedisagree

•
large and heavy for a DSLR
0agreedisagree


9 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!
See individual votes »

Details

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.

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This report was started February 6, 2008 at 1:04 pm by Erik
with the last edit occurring Today, 9:23 AM by Alvin Cheung
This page has been viewed 5581 times, with 138 edits by 10 contributors.
See the full report history »

Buy It

Sony Alpha DSLR-A300

• Sony Alpha DSLRA300K 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization with DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Zoom Lens

• alpha DSLR-A300K SLR Digital Camera Kit

UPC: 027242727038

EAN: 027242727038

MPN: B00138MVBY

Competitors

Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 is ranked 1st among it's competitors.  See the top picks in Digital Cameras »
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi

MSRP  $799.00    Released  April, 2008
Pros
  • Large 3.0-inch LCD monitor
  • Live View Function
  • New Canon 12.2-megapixel CMOS sensor
Cons
  • no video features
  • Live View Function will drain battery quicker.
  • Small DSLR camera body for those with big hands or long fingers.
ProSCORE
7 reviews
84
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Sony Alpha DSLR-A300   vs. vote Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi  
Nikon D60

Nikon D60

MSRP  $650.00    Released  January, 2008
Pros
  • Compact and light
  • Great image quality
  • Active Dynamic Lighting preserves details very well
Cons
  • No automatic exposure bracketing.
  • 1/200s flash sync is slower than D40.
  • I miss Liveview LCD.
ProSCORE
2 reviews
71
Vote! (1 vote)
vote Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 100% vs. vote Nikon D60 0%

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Comments

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Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

ralli

avatar
May 31, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
67
negative
mixed
positive
8 pros
4 cons
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • More superior LiveView implementation compared to competition (has to be proven yet)
  • 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
  • Battery life is better than the competition
  • fast startup/shutdown
  • controls are generally well positioned
  • ergonomic grip makes it comfortable to hold
  • good colour reproduction

Cons

  • Noise at higher ISOs
  • plastic body
  • small viewfinder with low magnification
  • large and heavy for a DSLR

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

mcbit

avatar
August 12, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
50
negative
mixed
positive
7 pros
7 cons
have ithave it
love itlove it

Pros

  • More superior LiveView implementation compared to competition (has to be proven yet)
  • 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
  • Battery life is better than the competition
  • Good balance between resolution (10.2 MP) and low-light performance for APS-C size sensor
  • FPS (frames per second) rate and overall performance is better then A350
  • Noise level is better than in A350

Cons

  • Kit lens is lower quality then the competition
  • accessories can be expensive
  • no SDHC support
  • expensive Sony lenses
  • must use flash to focus in low light
  • A300K is $100 more expensive in Canada than in US after currency conversion.
  • Startup/shutdown time can be better

Competitors

mcbit prefers Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 over Nikon D60
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Sgt

avatar
February 24, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
7 pros
0 cons
have ithave it

Pros

  • More superior LiveView implementation compared to competition (has to be proven yet)
  • 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
  • Battery life is better than the competition
  • Good balance between resolution (10.2 MP) and low-light performance for APS-C size sensor
  • FPS (frames per second) rate and overall performance is better then A350
  • Noise level is better than in A350

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Elk

avatar
May 14, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
83
negative
mixed
positive
5 pros
1 con

Pros

  • More superior LiveView implementation compared to competition (has to be proven yet)
  • 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
  • Battery life is better than the competition
  • Good balance between resolution (10.2 MP) and low-light performance for APS-C size sensor

Cons

  • Kit lens is lower quality then the competition

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Ambroos

avatar
March 2, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
3 pros
0 cons
love itlove it

Pros

  • More superior LiveView implementation compared to competition (has to be proven yet)
  • Articulating screen combined with Live View allows for easier over-the-heads and ground-level shots
  • Good balance between resolution (10.2 MP) and low-light performance for APS-C size sensor

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Dave Heard

avatar
February 29, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
2 pros
0 cons

Pros

  • More superior LiveView implementation compared to competition (has to be proven yet)
  • Articulating screen combined with Live View allows for easier over-the-heads and ground-level shots

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

12eward

avatar
February 27, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
1 pro
0 cons

Pros

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

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Alvin Cheung

avatar
Today, 9:23 AM
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
4 pros
0 cons

Pros

  • More superior LiveView implementation compared to competition (has to be proven yet)
  • 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
  • fast startup/shutdown

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

vsaxena911

avatar
May 19, 2009
ProSCORE
50
negative
mixed
positive
6 pros
6 cons

Pros

  • More superior LiveView implementation compared to competition (has to be proven yet)
  • In-camera image stabilization allows for using of non-stabilized lenses, by thus lowering the cost of ownership
  • Battery life is better than the competition
  • Very user friendly
  • offers control over numerous exposure modes including aperture-priority, shutter-priority, program, manual, and bulb mode
  • has a 10.2-megapixel resolution, which is somewhat higher than some similarly priced digital cameras

Cons

  • Noise at higher ISOs
  • accessories can be expensive
  • no SDHC support
  • expensive Sony lenses
  • must use flash to focus in low light
  • no lens cap holder

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

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This product is also known as:

DSLR, A, 300, DSLRA, A300, DSLRA300