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Sony Alpha DSLR-A300

84

Very Good

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Pros
"Live View" handling is quite impressive
Very easy to navigate and operate
Cons
Noticeable noise at high ISO settings
Artifacting in high-contrast edges

$431.49 - $599.00
From 3 Merchants

Product Specs

Battery
Number of Batteries	1

Digital Format
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF)	0

Display
Viewfinder	Optical

Exposure
Shutter Priority	1

Image Processor
Number of image sensor pixels	10.2 megapixels
Image sensor	CCD
Maximum horizontal image resolution	3872
Maximum vertical image resolution	2592
Image sensor quantity	1
Image format	RAW JPEG
White balance	0

Included Hardware
Included Hardware	strap videousb cables charger battery cap.

Included Software
Included Software	Image Data Converter SR ver.2.0 Picture Motion Browser Ver.2.1.02 (Windows only) USB Driver. Image Data Lightbox SR ver.1.0 (all Windows & Macintosh)

Lens
Accessory Lens	0
Lens Model	DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6
Telephoto Aperture Maximum	5.6 mm
Wide-Angle Aperture Maximum	3.5 mm

Shutter
Starter Media or Internal RAM	0

Storage
Media Slots	CompactFlash Memory Stick
Memory type	CompactFlash Microdrive

LCD Screen
LCD screen size	2.7 inches

Exposure Controls
Maximum shutter speed	4000
Minimum shutter speed	30
Bulb setting	0
ISO equivalencies	100 3200
Exposure settings	0
Exposure compensation range	0
Number of scene modes	5

Dimensions
Width	5.3 inches
Depth	4 inches
Height	3 inches
Weight	32.8 ounces

Flash
Flash characteristics	Flash Slow Sync Yes

Lens Features
Camera body only	0
Optical zoom	3.8 X
Minimum focal length	18
Maximum focal length	70
Maximum aperture	3.5
Lens mount	Interchangeable
Focus features	Yes

Connectivity
Interface connection	No

Other Features
General features	Pict Bridge
Image stabilization	Hardware
Included components	Optional
Power source	Rechargeable lithium ion

Warranty
Warranty information	1 Year Limited Warranty

Tags
Tags	slr

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What You Should Know about the Alpha DSLR-A300

Average Megapixels For an SLR

This digital SLR has an average megapixel count for its class. You can print images from an 8- to 10-megapixel camera at sizes up to 8 by 10 inches with no loss in quality; at 13 by 19 inches, however, prints will exhibit a slight loss of detail. Images from a 13-megapixel camera look good at 13 by 19 inches and can be pushed to 16 by 24 inches. Though prints at these larger sizes will lose some sharpness, they'll be superior to what you'd get from 35mm film printed at the same dimensions. You’ll also have plenty of latitude to crop and resize images. As the pixel count on an image sensor increases, so does its propensity to produce images plagued by noise--ugly speckling patterns. To avoid noise, look for a camera with the lowest pixel count that still serves your output needs.

Reviewed by: xdr4gon

Duration of ownership:

Strengths: Very user friendlyDecent amount of advanced user functionsGreat as a first cameraBuilt in image stabilization into the body

Weaknesses: Kit lens not so greatNoise at higher ISOs, but works well for smaller prints/pictures.

Overall Evaluation: This was my first dSLR and I love it. It has all the features I wanted. It's everything you expect out of a dSLR. It's built off of the a200 but it's got the addition of live view and a tiltable screen. The liveview comes in handy sometimes, but I find myself using the viewfinder the most. The screen is nice and big and shows pictures nicely. You won't find liveview on many other cameras (nikon and only the newer canons). I've taken a bunch of pictures with this and am very proud of the camera. The built in SSS stabilizer saves a ton of money on lenses, let's see canikon do that!Just a great camera overall.Oh yeah, and don't bother with the a350, there's no improvements and a larger 14.2 MP sensor will not help. It's the same image processor and has the same amount of noise (if not more at the higher res). Get the a700 for that price range.
Reviewed by: davelin

Duration of ownership:

Strengths: Unbeatable value for your money; Live View w/ no AF lag; 700+ shot battery; built-in image stabilization; fast 9-point auto focus

Weaknesses: Included kit lenses are above average performers, but not as good as some competitor kit lenses; shutter click is noticeable in quiet settings; accessories can be expensive; no SDHC support

Overall Evaluation: This is a great camera value. While Sony is traditionally associated with design, technology and performance (not value), the consumer electronics conglomerate is making a hard push into the digital SLR market. As a result, their pricing these cameras below competitors, while adding premium features to swing the undecided. If you can get over not having a Canon or Nikon branded camera, you'll find yourself with a very capable camera deeply rooted in the rich photographic legacy of Konica-Minolta. **Caveat: This is my first digital SLR and I've only owned the camera for about a month, but I wanted to provide readers some insight into the thought process and early reflections of a person like me: a novice dSLR-user, who relied on online and magazine research. More details: Unbeatable value for your money (closest comparables Nikon D60 and Canon XSi) are hundreds more, except Olympus E510 Live View allows for point-and-shoot convenience with only slight AF lag, due to unique Sony live view technology 700+ shot battery w/ capacity gauge is an industry best Second-generation image stabilization is built-in to camera and produces great results with any lens 9-point autofocus is really fast and very accurate Large 2.7" LCD is bright, but not as clear as on other cameras Great accessory support, including battery grip, memory stick adapter for CompactFlash, wide assortment of Sony and legacy Minolta lenses.