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Sony Alpha A300 Digital SLR Camera

Sony Alpha A300

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Key Features of the Sony Alpha A300 :
  • 10.2-megapixel Super HAD CCD
  • Live Preview of your subject on Tiltable, 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD Plus screen
  • Continuous shooting while viewing
  • Smart teleconverter 2x zoom
  • A broad sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200
  • Super SteadyShot in-camera image stabilization
  • Bionz image processor
  • 1200-zone evaluative metering
  • Dynamic Range Optimizer
  • Anti-dust technology
  • Auto Pop-up flash
  • Eye-Start Autofocus System
  • 9-Point Center Cross AF Sensor
  • Scene Selection Modes
  • Creative Style Settings
  • Index and Slide Show Display
  • High-resolution thumbnails for PhotoTV HD viewing
  • Function Guide Display
  • Stamina Battery Power
  • High-Capacity Media Options
  • Optional advanced lenses and accessories
 Sony's Alpha DSLR-A300: the camera that links you and your subject. For first-time DSLR users, Sony combines superb 10.2-megapixel quality, a high-quality DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 standard zoom lens, and Live Preview in a large, tilting 2.7-inch LCD monitor for point-and-shoot simplicity. You'll have super-quick AF response, 3 fps continuous shooting while you see your subject in the viewfinder, and high sensitivity (ISO 3200) for great low-light shots. What's more, you get simple controls, Creative Style settings and in-camera Super SteadyShot image stabilization that work with every Sony, Carl Zeiss and legacy Minolta a-mount lens. Stamina power for up to 740 shots, Auto Pop-up Flash and many more features make DSLR model an excellent choice for your favorite new hobby.

Alpha DSLR-A300 Highlights

10.2-megapixel Super HAD CCD Superb image quality gives you great DSLR shots right from the start, with a large APS-size CCD imager developed by Sony to expand dynamic range, and minimize noise more effectively for clear, sharp photos even at high sensitivity setting (up to ISO 3200).

Live Preview of your subject The DSLR-A300’s Live Preview mode links you and your subject on a large 2.7-inch LCD screen, for a familiar point-and-shoot style -- with super-quick AF response and accurate exposure control to help you catch the perfect moment. In Live Preview mode, the camera bypasses the optical pentaprism mirror to create a live "eye-to-eye" view of loved ones, children, pets and fast-changing scenes.

Tiltable 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD Plus screen A large built-in screen with 2-way angle tilt provides a sharp, clear view of your subject and tilts up or down for low-angle or high-angle monitoring in situations where you want a child-level or overhead shot.

Continuous shooting while viewing The DSLR-A300 lets you shoot continuously at up to 3 frames per second while you see your subject in the viewfinder2, so you never lose track of the action. In JPEG mode, you can shoot up to the limit of your flash memory card; in RAW Burst Mode you can capture up to 6 shots, with intelligent buffer management to allow more shots to be captured without waiting for the buffer to clear.

Smart teleconverter 2x zoom At the touch of a button you can zoom in electronically on your subject, reproducing pixels on a 1:1 basis with no degradation in picture quality. One touch zooms in at 1.4X, the second touch advances to 2X zoom -- creating the 35mm equivalent of a 200mm telephoto effect with the DSLR-A300’s standard 18-70mm zoom lens.

Expanded ISO sensitivity A broad sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200 enables the DSLR-A300 to capture beautiful color images even in very dim light -- with High ISO Noise Reduction technology that reduces picture noise artifacts at high-sensitivity ISO 1600 and ISO 3200 settings by eliminating noise from RAW data after analog-to-digital conversion.

Super SteadyShot in-camera image stabilization Because image stabilization is built into the DSLR-A300, every lens benefits by an advantage of from 2.5 to 3.5 exposure steps. This allows you to shoot effectively with minimum blur even in low light without flash -- or adjust exposure control for smaller lens aperture, to increase depth of field and bring both foreground and background into sharp focus.

Bionz image processor The "brain" of the Alpha DSLR-A300 is the advanced Sony Bionz Image Processor, using hardware-based Large Scale Integrated (LSI) circuitry to enhance images with rich tonal reproduction, improved white balance and exposure control, and expanded D-Range Optimizer capabilities. With 2-channel data transfer from CCD to processor, your camera can also respond faster.

1200-zone evaluative metering Exposure information from the image sensor dedicated to Live View is divided into 1200 zones of luminance and RGB color information. In addition D-Range Optimizer technology contributes to judge the scene and then determine the optimum exposure to reproduce images with a more natural look.

Dynamic Range Optimizer To improve results with backlit subjects and recover details hidden in shadows or lost in glare, the DSLR-A300 provides Dynamic Range Optimizer at two levels: Normal DRO, to improve detail using standard gamma curves for fast shot-to-shot response time, or Advanced DRO, to adjust dynamic range area-by-area for the greatest precision.

Anti-Dust technology Changing lenses in a DSLR can allow dust to enter the camera -- so to keep the CCD imager cleaner for better pictures, the DSLR-A300 utilizes both static-free anti-dust coating on the CCD filter and anti-dust vibration that automatically shakes the CCD to dislodge dust each time the camera is shut off.

Auto Pop-up flash The camera flash automatically pops up and fires when needed, to help first-time DSLR photographers shoot more effectively. Auto Pop-up works in Auto mode and some scene selection modes; Flash is cancelled in Landscape, Sport or Sunset modes and in "Flash Off" position on the Exposure Mode dial.

Eye-Start autofocus system It begins precision autofocus adjustments the moment you raise the camera to your eye -- so unlike some DSLR cameras that don’t start focusing until the shutter button is half-pressed, the Sony DSLR-A300 never slows down your ability to catch fast action.

9-point center cross AF sensor A fast focus motor and improved focus control help bring images into sharp definition more quickly, with predictive focus control that automatically calculates the position of a fast-moving subject.

Scene Selection modes Along with auto exposure, the DSLR-A300 gives you scene selection modes to optimize camera performance for Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset and Night Portrait/Night View situations.

Creative Style Settings To express your creativity and personal taste, you can adjust contrast, saturation and sharpness settings for any of 8 finishing styles -- including Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Night View, Sunset, B&W and Adobe RGB modes.

Index and Slide Show Display To quickly review your photos, the DSLR-A300 can display 4, 9 or 25-frame index views -- or present automatic slide shows with fade-in/fade-out effect.

High-resolution thumbnails for PhotoTV HD viewing The DSLR-A300 automatically creates high-resolution thumbnail images for viewing on Sony’s BRAVIA HDTV in optimized PhotoTV HD mode, with image format adjustable for standard 3:2 or widescreen 16:9 display.

Function Guide Display On-screen menus are intuitive and easy to use -- and a simple Camera Function Display can be activated and operated with one hand using the "Fn" (Function) button and controller button to adjust Flash mode, Autofocus mode, White Balance, Metering mode, AF area and D-Range Optimizer.

Stamina Battery Power In optical viewfinder mode, you can take up to 750 shots3 on a fully charged NP-FM500H InfoLithium battery -- and you’ll be able to see about how much power remains in percentage increments, so you can keep shooting in confidence.

High-capacity media options For conveniently storing and sharing your images, the DSLR-A300 accepts CompactFlash Type I/II media and optional Memory Stick Pro Duo media.

AOptional advanced lenses and system accessories Sony’s Alpha system gives you everything you need to expand your creativity in DSLR photography: precision Sony DT zoom lenses and specialty lenses, Sony "G" Series lenses with advanced motorized autofocusing, amazingly bright Carl Zeiss lens designs, professional-quality flash units, and over 16 million Minolta a-mount lenses sold worldwide.



Product Description
Move a step up to digital photography as an art form. This DSLR is simple to use and takes great pictures in automatic modes but it goes further. It brings you in-touch with your creative instincts. Sony a (alpha) DSLR-A300: the camera that links you and your subject. For first-time DSLR users, Sony combines superb 10.2 MP quality, a high quality DT(R) 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 standard zoom lens, and Live Preview in a large tilting 2.7" LCD monitor for point-and-shoot simplicity. You'll have super-quick AF response, 3 fps continuous shooting while you see your subject in the viewfinder, and high sensitivity (ISO 3200) for great low-light shots. What's more, you get simple controls, Creative Style settings and in-camera Super SteadyShot(R) image stabilization that work with every Sony, Carl Zeiss and legacy Minolta a-mount lens. Stamina(R) power for up to 740 shots, Auto Pop-up Flash and many more features make DSLR model an excellent choice for your favorite new hobby. 1200-zone Evaluative Metering 9-Point Center Cross AF Sensor Scene Select(TM) modes for optimal results Dynamic Range Optimizer Anti Dust Technology Auto Pop-Up Flash Accepts CompactFlash Type I/II media and optional Memory Stick(R) PRO Duo storage media In optical viewfinder mode, you can take up to 750 shots on a fully charged NP-FM500H InfoLITHIUM battery On-screen menus are intuitive and easy to use Dimensions (Approx.) - (WHD) 5 1/4 x 4 x 3?; 1 lb 4 oz DT 18-70mm f3.5 Zoom lens (27-105 35mm equivalent)



Sony Alpha A300 Photo Samples

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These are actual photos taken with Sony Alpha A300.
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Compare Sony Alpha A300 with similar cameras
Name: Canon Digital Rebel XTi Nikon D40X Sony Alpha A300 Canon Rebel XS
Megapixels: 10.1 10.0 10.2 10.1
Sensor Type: CMOS CCD CCD CMOS
LCD Screen: 2.5 " 2.5 " 2.7 " tilting 2.5 "
ISO: 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 Auto, 100 - 1600 (plus 3200 with boost) Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
White balance Settings: 6 positions & manual preset 6 positions, plus manual preset Six positions plus manual and kelvin 6 positions & manual preset
Max shutter: 1/4000 sec 1/4000 sec 1/4000 sec 1/4000 sec
Min shutter: 30 sec + Bulb 30 sec + Bulb 30 sec + Bulb 30 sec + Bulb
Focal length multiplier: 1.6 1.5 1.5 1.6
Viewfinder: TTL TTL Optical (95% coverage) Optical
Image stabilizer: No No Yes No
Weight (with batteries): 556 g (19.6 oz) 522 g (18.4 oz) 632 g (22.3 oz) 502 g (17.7 oz)
Lowest Price: $579.99 $609.95 $599.00 $656.42
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Sony Alpha A300 User Reviews

Avg. Rating
5.0
Out of 5
 This item is reviewed by 23 people so far.
Click here for complete reviews.

5
Out of 5
a great entry-level pro camera
- Reviewd on: 2008-08-30 By: Dr. S. Tejesh
i'm not a professional nor a novice, i have researched most of the entry-level DSLRs (going to the nearest bestbuy,is the best bet).Compared oly 510, canon xti,pentax 200d,and believe me this is over-all,one of the best built and most functional DSLRs in the market..altough two of them have in-camera image stabilization..the amazing lcd and the excellent live-view are just few of the features that got me hooked,the kit lens is not that bad either and the image quality is highly commendable..so what if it has a proprietary flash-shoe, it's not like u would buy all the accessories at once.. save up and buy the best(ahem, pardon me for the bias)if you are in the "professional" zone you wont be looking at these cameras anyways.. moreover sigma and tamron are already making excellent quality lenses for sony SLRs, stop fretting about flashes and lenses, if the body feels right, whether it's sony,canon or olympus,go ahead.. get the rest of the accessories slowly..i'm more than happy with this cam.
4
Out of 5
Forget about your old DSCF828 Accessories
- Reviewd on: 2008-08-27 By: Capt Dials
Don't get me wrong; I do like this camera. BUT, if you're an old DSCF707 or DSCF828 user--such as me (I have both), forget about any of your old stuff working on this camera.

I'm disappointed that even the lens cap does not have a lanyard anymore. The high-end flash for my 828 will not fit the A300 and forget about the batteries, chips or even the USB wire plug being the same. Making matters worse my two Sony remote control tripods won't plug in to the new camera.

I'm more than a little bummed that as an avid Sony Pro-user (daily) that everything has to be bought again. The old 828 unit even came with a charge plug slot, now this new one you have to remove the battery. They could have done better. But, alas, in fairness, I paid more $$$ for the 828 so they had to cut somewhere...just didn't expect EVERYWHERE!

UPDATE 9/2/08--I may have to send this back--this camera does not appear to imprint a date stamp on the photo like the F828. It appears the date only imprints when your have a "compliant printer" which does me no good because I print to .pdf--for investigative work (email). I have a note into tech support but after doing a search of the issue I've come up with a blank. Had I known it would have been a no purchase for sure. I sure hope I'm missing something here. IF this gets corrected I will report back.

5
Out of 5
Love this camera!
- Reviewd on: 2008-08-13 By: Diane Slusher
Great camera for the price. Easy to use. Great pictures in the auto mode. Even better when I over-ride and try new things thru aperture or shutter speed variations. I'm really enjoying this camera!
5
Out of 5
Better Than the Alpha 350, IMO
- Reviewd on: 2008-08-08 By: I. Andosoglu
I took the plunge, and purchased an Alpha 300; Sony being rather new to the SLR arena, there wasn't much information to go off of at the time. I'm happy to report that this camera performs VERY well, impressing all my Nikon and Olympus loyal friends during multiple photo shoots.

The Live View is very useful for awkward position shots; low down, up high, etc. and is the envy of most other camera owners.

Picture quality is very high, even in low-light conditions.

With the capability of 3 frames/second, I don't see any reason in going for the Alpha 350, which only manages 2.5 at best. 10.2MP is more than enough, even if you're shooting billboards, IMO.

All together a very versatile camera, with more than enough features and capability to keep you busy for a long time. I think only die-hard professionals would need much more.
5
Out of 5
An ideal entry level DSLR
- Reviewd on: 2008-08-08 By: zeevb
After using point-and-shoot digital cameras for several years I've decided to switch to a DSLR. My two main reasons were: shutter lag and low-light performance.
Having 2 Canon point-and-shoot digital cameras, I naturally got interested in the new Canon Digital Rebel XSi. An interesting features for someone like myself who is used to point-and-shoot cameras, is the Live View shooting mode which allows you to frame the picture using the screen instead of the viewfinder which is very similar to the way most of us use point-and-shoot digital cameras.
When researching further I discovered that the way Canon implemented the Live View mode is not suitable for fast action photo taking, but more for tripod based accurate photographing.

A couple of months I heard about the new Sony DSLR cameras. I was surprised since I didn't know Sony manufactured DSLR cameras. I knew that the Sony brand is well known in audio and video equipment market but I wasn't familiar with the fact that they had professional DSLR cameras.

After some reading I've discovered that Sony is indeed a newcomer to the DSLR market and that their entrance initiated in 2005 by jointly developing DSLR cameras with Konica-Minolta and eventually buying their entire DSLR business at 2006. Again, what caught my eye was the live-view feature that Sony implemented in a innovative way which does not hinder the camera's performance (especially the quick focus) when using it.

Another feature that the new Sony cameras have (and Canon's don't) is in-body image stabilizer which works with every lens you attach. On the downside Sony's cameras do not perform as well as Canon's in high ISO settings and they have a much smaller variety of lenses available.

Eventually, I've decided to buy the Sony and I don't regret it. Live view performs very well and the view finder is very good (although many reviews say that it is too small). I was also very fortunate to get 2 Minolta lenses from a relative so that was a very pleasant surprise and together with the in-body image stabilizer they produce wonderful photos.

The camera is very agronomic and you can get to most settings with very few button clicks. High ISO setting noise starts to appear above ISO 400 but whether this is an issue depends on the size of prints you are going to produce. Other then that, the image quality is wonderful, of course this depends a lot on the type of lens you attach to it and there are very high quality old Minolta glass that matches this camera.