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Digital Cameras > Sony α (alpha)
DSLR-A300 |
Category: Advanced Amateur - Prosumer
The Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A300 digital SLR features Live Preview on a 10.2MP APS-sized CCD
image sensor with High ISO noise reduction that takes place in the RAW data stage before image JPEG conversion, providing a high ISO of 3200.
Sony's new "Quick AF Live View" technology is a first in a DSLR. It uses a second image sensor in the viewfinder and a tilt mirror up there to engage Live View without having to lift up the main mirror.
What this translates to in practice is that, unlike the Live View of other DSLR systems that either require the main mirror to flip back and forth to engage AF or use slow contrast-detect AF in Live View mode, the A300 can use DSLR-fast phase-detection AF in Live View mode!
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.
Super Steady Shot claims to offer from 2.5-3.5 steps anti-shake performance with all alpha lenses. Since the anti-shake
system shifts the CCD
to compensate for camera movement, all alpha lenses
benefit from anti-shake performance. Compatible lenses encompass all Minolta Maxxum® A mount lenses, in addition to Sony a (alpha) lens lineup - including Carl Zeiss® lenses.
Compatible Lenses
Changing lenses in a DSLR can
allow dust to enter the camera -- so to keep the
CCD imager clean for better pictures, the Sony
α (alpha) DSLR-A300 camera 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 powered off.
The large 2.7-in. LCD monitor is high resolution
at 230,000 pixels with the Clear Photo LCD™
design for easy playback viewing. It is tiltable, so make it very convenient for overhead and low to the ground shots.
The DSLR-A300 camera’s supplied lithium ion battery offers up to 740 shots per full charge. It supports JPEG and RAW file format. Note that the A300 has a slot for CompactFlash™ Type I/II media cards; an adaptor for Memory Stick Duo™ media cards is sold separately as an accessory.
The Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A300K kit comes
with a DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 lens, with a 35mm equivalent focal
length of 27-105mm. The DSLR-A300X kit includes the DT 18-70mm lens and a 55–200mm f4-5.6 lens.
The Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A300 digital SLR targets the serious and advanced amateur photographers
with an easy-to-use and affordable digital SLR. It is rich with practical features: CCD-shift image stabilization, Anti-Dust Technology, tiltable LCD -- now with Live Preview.
For about $100 more, you can purchase the DSLR-A350 which is identical to the A300, except it has a 14.2MP sensor.
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Sony
A300 |
QuickFact™
Sheet |
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Image
Sensor |
10.2MP (effective) APS CCD Sensor; 23.6 x 15.8 mm; RGB primary color filter with Anti-Dust Technology |
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Image Stabilization |
Super SteadyShot with approx. 2.5 – 3.5 EV gain in exposure steps
(actual stabilisation depends on shooting conditions and lens) |
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Bionz™ Engine |
LSI with Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO/DRO+) |
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Lens Mount |
Interchangeable A mount |
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Lens Kit |
The DSLR-A300 kit includes the DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 lens.
The DSLR-A300W kit includes the DT 18-70mm lens and a 55–200mm f4-5.6 lens |
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Auto
Focus |
TTL Phase Detection
Multi-point: 9 Area, 8 Line, 1 Cross Sensor
Adjustable Spot AF: Selectable Sensor
Visual Focus Confirm: Direct via Spherical Acute Matte Screen |
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Shutter Speed |
30 ~ 1/4000 sec 52 step, Bulb |
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Exposure Control |
Program Shift, Aperture/Shutter Priority, Manual |
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EV Compensation |
±2.0 EV, 1/3 EV Steps |
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Continuous Shooting | Max 3 fps with viewfinder. 2 fps in live view mode.
Shooting Capacity:
JPEG (L size, Fine): Until memory card is full.
RAW: 6 frames.
RAW + JPEG: 3 frames.
Up to 3FPS; Unlimited to capacity of media (JPEG L/M/S); Maximum 3 frames (RAW + JPEG); Maximum 6 frames (RAW) |
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D-Range Optimiser |
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 |
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Scene Modes |
Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset and Night Portrait/Night View |
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Self Timer |
Yes (10 seconds, 2 seconds, Off) |
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Light
Metering |
Multi-Pattern 40 Segment, Center Weighted, Spot |
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ISO |
Auto/100/200/400/800/1600/3200 |
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White
Balance |
Auto plus 8 Modes (Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Tempature/Color filter, Custom), each with +/-3 adjustable step. |
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Viewfinder |
Optical: TTL, 0.74x magification with 50mm lens at infinity; 95% coverage
Eye-Start Autofocus System |
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LCD |
Tiltable 2.7" TFT (230k pixels) Live Preview LCD with Clear Photo™ design |
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Histogram Display |
RGB, playback only |
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Microphone/Speaker |
No/ No |
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Red-Eye Reduction |
Yes: On/ Off |
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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) |
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AF Illuminator Light |
Yes, On/Off Select |
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Max no. of frames |
JPEG Fine/Std: unlimited (until memory card is full), RAW+JPEG: 3, RAW: 6 recordable (continuous) |
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Recording Media |
CompactFlash card: Type I, Type II (Microdrive).
Optional Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media |
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Flash Modes |
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)
Effective Range: GN12 at ISO 100 (39 feet/ 12 meters) |
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Built-in Flash System |
Auto popup (GN 12) with manual popup button |
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Output(s) |
Video: Yes, NTSC/PAL Selectable |
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USB Port(s) |
USB 2.0 Hi-speed |
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Battery
Type |
NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable battery |
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Battery
Capacity |
7.2V, 1600 mAh;
CIPA standard: approx. 740 pictures |
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Limited Warranty |
1 Year Parts & Labor |
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Included
Accessories |
- 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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Dimensions (W
x H x D) |
Approx. 130.8 x 98.5 x 74.7 mm /
5 1/4 x 4 x 3 in.
(excl. protrusions) |
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Weight (Camera
body only) |
Approx. 582 g / 1 lb., 4.5 oz
body, not including battery, lens and media |
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MSRP |
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with
DT 18-70mm lens: |
US
$799.99 |
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with
DT 18-70mm and 55-200mm lenses: |
US
$999.99 |
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- Press Release
Product technical specifications (including MSRP and Included Accessories)
are as represented by the manufacturer and subject to manufacturer's change
without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer or of Photoxels.
Included Accessories may also differ by country or area. Please verify latest
specs from the appropriate manufacturer's site.
Before you buy, do your homework and verify a seller's reputation. One
source you may want to check with is Resellerratings.com.
And remember, if a price seems to good to be true, it probably is.
DISCLAIMER:
We strive for accuracy in reproducing these specs, but being human, we do occasionally make mistakes. Also, in the early stages of a product introduction, you can almost guarantee there will be some errors from the manufacturers themselves as they update their sites. If you see any mistakes, please contact us. We do appreciate your writing in with the corrections and thank you in advance!
| Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A300 |
| with 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens |
with 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 and
55-200mm f/4-5.6 Lenses |
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