Latest – Review and Sample Photos at TrustedReviews (added 06 February’09)
Sony Alpha A300 is a 10.2 megapixel DSLR and it features live preview, tiltable 2.7 inch LCD, and an ISO range from 100 to 3200.
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Review Index – (updated 06 February’09)
TrustedReviews
“The Sony Alpha A300 represents good value for money, offering virtually the same features as the more expensive A350 with only a slight reduction in overall picture quality. It stands up well to the competition, offering a excellent handling, reasonable performance, a good range of features and decent image quality for a competitive price.”
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ePhotozine
“The exposure level on Matrix readings, seems to lean slightly toward under-exposure by 1/3-1/2 stop. I’d be tempted to shoot anything important twice, pushed up half a stop.”
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PhotographyBlog
“Of course, sharpness and detail are not the only criteria image quality is judged by. Fortunately, the Sony A300 scores good marks in this department, with the only criticism I would level against it being the strong noise reduction applied to JPEGs, even when high-ISO NR is turned off.”
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CNET.co.uk
“It proves versatile, effective and rather likeable. And it happens to take great pictures, within the limitations of the basic kit lens”
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CNET Australia
“Seeming to buck the trend of middle child syndrome, the A300 is the pick of the bunch from Sony’s entry-level dSLR range unless you need resolution greater than 10.2 megapixels. There are a couple of quirks with the model, but nothing untoward that would pose a problem in day-to-day use for a beginner photographer.”
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GoodGearGuide
“As with other Alpha models, image stabilisation is built into the body rather than on the lens, meaning it works with whatever glass you want to use. It isn’t the most effective version on the market but it performs well and will help when hand shooting with larger lenses.”
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DPExpert
“This camera will appeal to customers moving up from a compact because the live view arrangement will feel immediately familiar. But can anyone explain why holding a heavy DSLR at arm’s length makes more sense than using the optical viewfinder? We feel that image quality is not up to par, even shooting RAW, mainly because of the indifferent performance of the lenses.”
PhotoReview
“Pictures from the test camera had a slightly warm hue but otherwise colors were natural looking and the dynamic range in shots was relatively wide. Applying in-camera Dynamic Range Optimizer adjustment produced obvious improvements in both highlights and shadows.”
PCWorld
“The Sony Alpha DSLR-A300’s smooth Live View handling makes this model worth consideration for anyone graduating from a point-and-shoot camera. That this model offers advanced features in a fun-to-use, uncomplicated form should only make for more photographic joy.”
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CameraLabs
“If you are budgeting for better optics, the A300 still remains a compelling option. If 10 Megapixels are enough – and they are for most of us – then the A300 will give you smaller file sizes and slightly quicker continuous shooting with money spare for accessories. Fit it with a decent lens like the Sony DT 16-80mm and you’ll again see an upgrade in resolved detail. So for our money, unless you absolutely need 14 Megapixels, the A300, despite not offering significantly better noise levels, is probably a better bet than the A350 overall.”
[Video Tour at CameraLabs]
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The New York Times
“Other nits: There’s no top-mounted status screen. It would be nice if the screen swung out and rotated (for self-portraits, for example) and not just up and down. And if you’re used to using the A300’s rivals, the viewfinder feels a tad claustrophobic.”
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Owner Feedback
“Compared to other brands, I think the Alpha 300 wins on features compared to the Canon Digital Rebel XTi or Nikon D60 (Live View, stabalization in body). The new 12mp Canon XSi is more in the price range of the 14mp Alpha 350. In any case, with 3 new Alphas, and the new D60 and XSi, there’s no more excuses! Get a camera and start taking great photos!
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Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
“In summary, get this camera if you’re not heavily invested in other lens systems. I haven’t checked out the competition since I’m one of the surviving members of the Minolta clan, but I’m sure others have competent implementations as well.
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Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
“I researched affordable DSLR cameras and chose the A300 for its rear screen viewing when desired, its ‘in the camera body’ anti shake system, its comfortable shape and weight, and its excellent picture clarity. The A300 is NOT a ‘dumbed down’ DSLR.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
“My only complain so far beside the cheap lens is the low location of the built-in flash. Raising up quarter of an inch could have prevented the shadow of lens to the subject taken at least 2 feet away. For this an external flash is required.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
“I am not unfamiliar with DSLR’s and in fact I bought this to replace a Nikkon D40. The sony is easier to use and takes great pictures. However, the flash is a pain in the rear because it is mounted very low.”
Portion of user comment on Amazon.com
Sample Photos
[Sample Photos at TrustedReviews]
[Sample Photos at PhotographyBlog]
[Sample Test Photos at CameraLabs]
[Sample Test Photos at The York Times]
Specifications
[Official Sony Specifications]
Press Excerpt
SAN DIEGO, Jan. 30, 2008 – Sony is bringing live-view shooting to its digital SLR camera line with today’s introduction of a 14.2-megapixel a (alpha) DSLR-A350 camera and 10.2-megapixel ? (alpha) DSLR A300 model. Both cameras feature new technologies that make picture taking faster, easier, and more familiar for first-time DSLR users.
Quick AF Live View System
They both offer Sony’s new “Quick AF Live View” technology so you can frame photos on the camera’s LCD without sacrificing auto-focusing speed common to other live-view systems.
Sony’s innovative Pentamirror Tilt mechanism directs light to a dedicated live view image sensor, enabling fast and responsive TTL phase-detection auto-focusing, even during live view.
Eliminating the focus delay of other systems, the new models are equally responsive whether using live view or optical viewfinder.
With its two sensor design, Quick AF Live View can even continuously focus-track the subject and provide live view during burst shooting, helping you capture that special moment.
Taking further advantage of Quick AF Live View is the models’ variable angle 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD™ screen. This makes it easy to frame scenes from high or low positions difficult to reach when using an eye-level viewfinder.
With Live View and an adjustable LCD, the cameras do not need to be in front of the user’s face, allowing parents, for example, to maintain eye-contact when photographing their children.
“Mainstream users stepping up to DSLRs are looking for a similar experience to their point and shoot cameras, but without compromise in speed or performance” said Phil Lubell, director of marketing for digital cameras at Sony Electronics. “Quick AF Live View gives these new models a familiar shooting style without compromising speed – ideal for the growing market of first-time SLR users.”
Exceptional Image Quality
The new models produce images with fine detail, rich tonality and vibrant color due to their APS-C CCD image sensors and BIONZ® processing engine. To aid shooting in low light, Super SteadyShot® image stabilization enables shutter speeds 2.5 to 3.5 steps slower than otherwise possible, with every compatible Minolta Maxxum® and Sony ? (alpha) lens (sold separately) attached to the camera.
High sensitivity operation at ISO 1600 and 3200 and very low noise are made possible by the user-selectable high-ISO noise reduction features. Sony’s D-Range Optimizer delivers suitable tonality and exposures with rich shadow and highlight detail, even under high contrast situations.
Powerful Performance, Easy to Use
The DSLR-A300 model can shoot about three continuous frames per second and the DSLR-A350 model can shoot up to two-and-a-half continuous frames per second, when using the optical viewfinder. Both are powered by the Bionz processing engine and supplied InfoLITHIUM™ battery for fast start-up times, quick response 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.
Both models feature lighter, slimmer bodies for easy handling; an improved user interface; an automatic pop-up flash; a comfortable camera grip with an easily accessible mode dial; an anti-dust system to keep the CCD image sensor clean for spot-free pictures; and JPEG and RAW file format support. Both have a slot for CompactFlash™ Type I/II media cards.
An adaptor for Memory Stick Duo™ media cards is also available for the cameras and sold separately.
The new DSLR-A300 and DSLR-A350 cameras are compatible with a range of accessories, including the ergonomic Sony VG-B30AM vertical grip. Also available as an option is the new Sony HVL-F42AM flash unit. It offers advanced features such as automatic white balance adjustment with color temperature information, adjustable bounce angles, ADI metering and wireless remote operation to suit the needs of most photographers.
Price and Availability
The DSLR-A300 kit with a DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 standard zoom lens will ship in April for about $800. The DSLR-A350 camera body will be available in March for about $800, and the DSLR-A350 kit with a DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 3.9x zoom lens will be available for about $900 at the same time. Both models will be available at sonystyle.com, Sony Style® retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail), military base exchanges, and authorized dealers nationwide. Pre-orders begin online today at www.sonystyle.com/dslr.
Latest Pricing at Amazon
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve been an enthusiast for many years and find the A300 one of the most satisfying cameras I have owned. A good deal of nonsense is talked about the kit lens; in my opinion it is better than most offered by others. The pictures produced are as good as any of their contemporaries, maybe better (within the price range).
I’ve been researching from the internet for aboout a month before I decided to have an Alpha 300. I am a new to DSLR, I was using a pocket type Canon SX100 IS before. Compare to other compitetors in its class…I like A300 because of:
- Live view (oven though no so accurate and bright), still useful for me occasionally.
- Well built body (not cheap looking plastic-compared to EOS XSi), enough weight to make me comfortable and feel little bit pro.
- Fast AF, easy controls.
Things that made me really disappointed:
- Terrible color accuracy. I’ve been trying to find the perfect setting (white balance and creative setting) whole night to get the best color…and it’s failed. Compare to my Canon SX 100 ($300 cheaper), A300 is way far behind. My canon is perfectly give very identical color to what my eyes see.
- Expensive additional lens (if you want to get better and sharper lenses)
- The kit lens also far behind my Canon SX100 IS in producing details and sharpness. My canon still can make very sharp pictures in its longest zoom (10x about 360mm focal length)…again the A300 kit lens way far behind. You have invest for about US$ 500-600 to get sharper lens.
Conc: I’ve been using my A300 for 1 week, and thinking to sell it!