The Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A300 SLR Digital Camera features technologies that make picture taking faster, easier, and more familiar for first-time DSLR users. The camera's 10.2 Megapixel resolution APS-C CCD image sensor and BIONZ processing engine assures that users of all skill levels will produce superb image quality while the Quick AF Live View technology of the cameras variable angle 2.7" Clear Photo LCD Display makes framing your image as easy as it is with a compact point-and-shoot digital camera without sacrificing auto-focusing speed. The Quick AF Live View feature is made possible by Sony's innovative Pentamirror Tilt mechanism that directs light to a dedicated live view image sensor, enabling fast and responsive TTL phase-detection auto-focusing, even during live view. Furthermore, the variable angle feature of the display makes it easy to frame scenes from high or low positions that would be difficult to view when using an eye-level viewfinder.
To aid shooting in low light, the camera incorporates Sony's Super SteadyShot image stabilization enables shutter speeds 2.5 to 3.5 steps slower than otherwise possible, and since the image stabilization system is built into the camera body, you'll be able to take advantage of the image stabilization with every compatible Minolta Maxxum and Sony α (alpha) lens ever available. The DSLR-A300 also provides high sensitivity operation at ISO 1600 and 3200 while producing very low noise, plus Sony's D-Range Optimizer delivers suitable tonality and exposures with rich shadow and highlight detail, even under high contrast situations.
Although the camera is easy to use, the DSLR-A300 still can provide professional level performance and speed. It can shoot about three continuous frames per second when using the optical viewfinder, and the supplied InfoLITHIUM battery provides for fast start-up times, and long battery life - up to 730 shots per full charge when using the optical viewfinder and up to 410 shots per full charge in live-view mode. But even with all of these superb features, the DSLR-A300 is lighter and slimmer than previous models. A comfortable camera grip with an easily accessible mode dial makes shooting with the DSLR-A300 an enjoyable experience - even after hours of location shooting.
| Camera Type | Interchangeable Lens SLR (Single Lens Reflex) Digital Camera with In-camera Image Stabilization |
| Image Quality | |
|---|---|
| Image Sensor | APS-C size (23.6x15.8mm) 10.8 Megapixel Super HAD CCD with RGB Primary Color Filter and Double anti dust system (anti-static coating and CCD shift mechanism) |
| Effective Resolution | 10.2 million pixels |
| Color Depth | 36-Bit RGB |
| Color Modes | Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Night view, Sunset, Black & White, Adobe RGB |
| Image File Formats |
RAW JPEG (Fine, Normal) RAW + JPEG |
| Recorded Resolution |
3:2 Aspect Ratio Large (3872 x 2592) Medium (2896 x 1936) Small (1920 x 1280) 16:9 Aspect Ratio |
| Video Recording | No |
| Audio Recording | No |
| Optics | |
|---|---|
| Lens Mount | A-mount (compatible with Sony Alpha & Minolta A-type bayonet mount) |
| Focal Length Multiplier | 1.5x |
| Optical Image Stabilization | Yes (CCD-Shift Super SteadyShot system) |
| Focus Control | |
|---|---|
| Focus Type | TTL Phase Detection AF (9 Area Multi-point with 1 Cross Sensor) |
| Focus Modes | Auto Focus, Adjustable Spot AF, Visual Focus Confirm |
| Exposure Control | |
|---|---|
| Sensitivity |
Auto ISO Selectable ISO (100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 |
| Shutter Type | Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane shutter |
| Shutter Speed | 30 - 1/4000 seconds, Bulb |
| Mirror Lock-Up | Yes |
| Exposure Metering | Multi-Pattern Measuring (1200-zone Evaluative Metering, Center Weighted, Spot) with AF Illuminator Light |
| Exposure Modes | Automatic, Program Auto (with Program Shift), Shutter priority, Aperture priority, Manual, Scene selection, AE Lock, Exposure compensation (+/-2.0 EV, 0.3 EV step), AE Bracketing (0.3 EV or 0.7 EV increments, 3 frames) |
| White Balance Modes | Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Tempature/Color filter, Custom each setting adjustable)tep. |
| Scene Modes | Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night portrait |
| Flash | |
|---|---|
| Built-in Flash | Pop-up Flash (Auto, Fill-flash, Rear flash sync, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Red-Eye Reduction) |
| Effective Flash Range | Up to 39' (12 m) |
| External Flash Connection |
Hot Shoe Wireless flash (with HVL-F56AM & HVL-F36AM) |
| External Flash Control | ADI / Pre-flash TTL flash metering with Flash Compensation (HVL-F56AM & HVL-F36AM Flash units supported) |
| Maximum Flash Synchronization Speed | 1/160 second |
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Start-Up Time | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Shutter Lag | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Time Between Shots | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Burst Capability |
3 fps (2 fps in live view mode) JPEG: Up to memory capacity RAW: 6 frames RAW + JPEG: 3 frames |
| Self Timer | 10 seconds & 2 seconds |
| Interval Recording | No |
| Date & Time Stamp | No (included in image metadata and available when using PictBridge) |
| Memory & Power | |
|---|---|
| Built-in Memory | No |
| Compatible Memory Cards |
CompactFlash (Type I & II) Microdrive Memory Stick Duo/PRO Duo media with optional MSAC-MCF1N adapter) |
| File Size | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Battery Type | NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable battery (7.2V, 1600 mAh) |
| Power Adapter | AC Adapter (optional) |
| Input/Output | |
|---|---|
| Computer Interface | USB 2.0 Hi-speed |
| Direct Print Capable | Yes (PictBridge) |
| Remote Control | Sony Remote Commander (optional) |
| Video Output | NTSC & PAL |
| System & Software Requirements |
Windows 2000, XP, Vista Macintosh OS X (10.3 or later) |
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Viewfinder | Fixed eye-level viewfinder with Pentamirror, spherical acute matte focusing screen, and Diopter Adjustment (-2.5 to +1.0 diopter) |
| Viewfinder Info | AF information (AF points, focus confirmation light), exposure information (shutter speed, aperture, manual exposure, spot metering circle, ISO speed, exposure level, exposure warning), flash information (flash ready, flash exposure level), white balance correction, JPEG recording, number of remaining shots, memory card information, Anti-shake system indicator |
| Depth-of-Field Preview | No |
| LCD Display | 2.7" Tiltable TFT Color LCD (230,000 pixels) with Clear Photo LCD Plus design |
| Information Display | Uses 2.7" LCD to present all camera info; Metering mode, Shooting mode, Aperture, AF mode, AF point, Shutter speed, ISO, Shots remaining, Drive mode, Battery level, Exposure compensation setting, Flash compensation setting. |
| Language Options | English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Finish, Polish, Czech, Hungarian |
| Playback Options | Single Image, Index (4, 9, 16 selectable), Image + text, Image + text + histogram, Enlarged playback (Up to approximately 5x), Luminance limit Display, File browser, Slideshow, Instant bracket playback, Enlarged display, Automatic rotate function, Image correction (Contrast, Color saturation, Sharpness, Hue (5 levels)) |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 4 x 5.3 x 3" (99 x 138 x 75 mm) without lens |
| Weight | 20.5 oz. (582 g) without battery or lens |
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A300 SLR Digtial Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 55-200mm Lens:
I own a Konica Minolta A2 which has served me well for 4+ years. The Sony is a Dslr successor
to the A2 with added features. The OVF/Live view
feature is easy and accurate; the tilting Lcd screen indispensible for fine work, and of course it offers lens interchangability. The remote cord
from my old KM fits this too. The limited files I have taken are excellent quality. The raw format
which I use almost exclusively using a free DNG
converter download from Adobe lets me edit RAW
files in Photoshop CS2. The 27-300mm range is all I need presently for my type of photography.
Great camera!
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A300 SLR Digtial Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 55-200mm Lens:
This camera seems to be pretty powerful. I had taken in interest in taking casual pictures a few years ago with the Sony DSC-S40 and had recently moved to the high zoom Sony DSC-H7. I wanted to get more serious about my pictures so I ordered the Alpha-300x. It comes with a 18-70mm lens and a 55-200mm lens, perfect for close or long range photography. I was pretty clueless about DSLR's and different aspects of more professional photography(i.e. aperture, ISO settings, shutter speed, etc.). I have mostly stuck with the AUTO setting, afraid to compose and properly expose my own shots. Once you venture out into the more manual settings with this camera, you unveil a world of possibilities.
The Live-View function is helpful but be aware that is not for everything. The LCD screen uses a different sensor than the viewfinder and therefore will display differently. If there is not enough light around, then your screen will display a ton of noise making it difficult to set the right exposure for the shot, even though your image may come out fine. If you are willing to use the viewfinder for composing and focusing your shots and the LCD for setting your ISO, and white balance, etc. settings then you will find it easy to take amazing shots. I have used it for portraits, landscape and some night shots so far and as long as you are willing to read the manual and use this camera to its potential, it will perform. The built in flash is super bright and can be turned down or off to avoid harsh brightness. The strap it comes with is sturdy and the camera itself feels sturdy. The menus seem reasonably easy to navigate. The autofocus is quick and accurate however, I feel you can achieve your best shot with manual focus. The lenses are crystal clear and the 55-200mm lens will provide anyone with a taste for high zoom plenty of headroom. Overall a great camera.
This camera comes with all the lens covers and accessories you will need to keep your camera safe and dust free. This camera runs on CompactFlash memory and for those new to DSLR's, this camera has NO internal memory built in. You will HAVE to purchase a memory card to take any photos. I purchased a Sandisk Extreme III 2gb memory card and it holds over 490+ pictures, which is plently unless you will be travelling for weeks or months and writes about 20MB/second, which is fast enough because your shots, even in the large size, RAW mode are only going to run you just under 9MB/picture.
It might also be noteworthy to mention that I bought a Canon 200DG bag to put it in and it's PERFECT with plenty of space for the camera, cables, lenses, manuals(if you take them with you) and about anything else you might need. The sony alpha camera bags seem overpriced for what you get.
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A300 SLR Digtial Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 55-200mm Lens:
Purchased this camera on the advice of a coworker, who also had purchased a Sony DSLR and I have not been disappointed! I immediately put the camera to use taking pictures at a baby shower. I briefly reviewed the owner's manual before going and was able to snap pictures without having to change a lot of setting on the camera. The pictures turned out great! Anyone looking for a good DSLR should really look at this camera!
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A300 SLR Digtial Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 55-200mm Lens:
We take photos of real estate and the system offered included the two zoom lenses, one with an 18 mm capability, which is ideal for tight shots of small rooms like bathrooms.We also bought a 2 gig chip, and earlier the Sony Alpha bag which is excellent and spacious, plus a 55 mm polarizing and a 55 mm haze filter, plus earlier the Sony flash.We are very happy as the new features of the lens selection/package, the tiltable large LCD, and no need to use the viewfinder to compose the pictureare very desirable. [...]
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A300 SLR Digtial Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 55-200mm Lens:
Pro/Advanced Amature - Airshows, theater and job activity. I have found that this camera works very well under several different conditions. From fast moving airshow jets to low light stage shots. All my old lenses work from what I have tried thus far. The only lens that does not work is a old Tamron 2X extender.
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A300 SLR Digtial Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 55-200mm Lens:
The Sony A300 makes a great all purpose DSLR for anyone wanting to move up from a point and shoot model. But it doesn't stop there. With features such as "live view" and an excellent 10.2 megapixel sensor, even the advanced shooter will find it quite adequate. And "Super Steady Shot" means more greats images with less blur no matter what lens you use. All in all, I fully recommend it.
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A300 SLR Digtial Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 55-200mm Lens:
I've taken nearly 450 pictures (at 2.5MB resolution, and the battery is still at 60% full!! The quality of the photos is excellent, even at lower resolutions. I still haven't figured out how to use electronic ZOOM feature, but I'm having a great time learning all the features of this incredible piece of hardware.
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A300 SLR Digtial Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 55-200mm Lens:
I photograph nature,family, and sports "action" shots. The camera is easy to use and delivers great quality shots. Great investment.
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A300 SLR Digtial Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 55-200mm Lens:
This camera is great. Reliable, lightweight, great photo quality for personal work.
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Comments about Alpha DSLR-A300 SLR Digtial Camera with Sony 18-70mm Lens & 55-200mm Lens:
The LIVE VIEW LCD screen allows ease of use when shooting low or high. No need for a view finder cover when using the timer.
The camera itself is light and easy to draw from the camera case.
Displaying reviews 1-10