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! This super fast Live View wins our Photoxels OriGenial Award.
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.
Noise is a problem even at low ISOs. At high ISOs, aggressive noise reduction kicks in at the expense of fine image detail.
The Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A300 digital SLR targets the beginner to serious 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.
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)
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
Scene Modes
Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset and Night Portrait/Night View
Self Timer
Yes (10 seconds, 2 seconds, Off)
Light
Metering
Multi-Pattern 40 Segment, Center Weighted, Spot
ISO
Auto/100/200/400/800/1600/3200
White
Balance
Auto plus 8 Modes (Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Tempature/Color filter, Custom), each with +/-3 adjustable step.
Viewfinder
Optical: TTL, 0.74x magification with 50mm lens at infinity; 95% coverage
Eye-Start Autofocus System
LCD
Tiltable 2.7" TFT (230k pixels) Live Preview LCD with Clear Photo™ design
Histogram Display
RGB, playback only
Microphone/Speaker
No/ No
Red-Eye Reduction
Yes: On/ Off
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)
- 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
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)
Weight (Camera
body only)
Approx. 582 g / 1 lb., 4.5 oz
body, not including battery, lens and media
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. Product color availability and included accessories may also differ by country or area. Please verify the 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:
Though we make every effort to strive for accuracy in reproducing these specs, we do occasionally make mistakes, so verify with the manufacturer's site for the latest specs. 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!
You can buy the Sony alpha DSLR-A300 from our Trusted Sponsor B&H Photo-Video, the Professional’s Source, satisfying millions of customers for over 35 years:
US
You can buy the Sony alpha DSLR-A300 from our Trusted Sponsor B&H Photo-Video, the Professional’s Source, satisfying millions of customers for over 35 years:
