Sony Alpha A300
- 4.0 out of 5
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Research the Sony Alpha A300
Editors' Comments
The Alpha A300 represents Sony's next step forward into the consumer digital SLR market, and it marches right alongside its brother Alpha A350. The A300's 10.2-megapixel sensor pales sligtly in comparison to the A350's 14.2 (though both use the same size chip), but otherwise the cameras are nearly identical. The big news here is the implementation of a Quick AF Live View system, which allows users to frame shots using the tilting 2.7-inch LCD screen. Otherwise the camera is pretty much par for the course when it comes to consumer dSLRs, offering now-standard features like a dust-shake system and in-body image stabilization. The body accepts all Sony and Minolta A-type bayonet mount lenses, and so is a great first dSLR for someone who has access to an older Minolta film camera.
Specifications
- 10.2 Megapixels
- Sony/Minolta bayonet lens mount
- 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 lens included with kit
- Quick AF Live View system
- JPEG, RAW file formats
- In-body Image Stabilization
- Auto and manual focus
- Auto and manual exposure
- ISO 100-3200
- 2.7-inch tilting LCD display
- CompactFlash memory storage
- Proprietary Lithium-ion battery
Comments on the Sony A300
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Sony Alpha A300 Reviews
- 4.33248407643312 out of 5
Sony Alpha A300 Reviews by Digital Camera-HQ Users
- 4.0 out of 5
I usually use my Nikon for my wedding and portrait photography. I bought the A300 with the 18-200 Sony lens and battery grip to use on vacations and to carry around in the Jeep. It was 1/2 the cost of my Nikon and for 90% of the photos, you could not tell the difference. It falls short in dim light. There is much more noise at ISO 800 and above than Nikon and Nikon will autofocus in much dimmer light. But for 1/2 the price of the Nikon, it has taken some remarkable photos and is well worth the money. The flash system is the best as it is the easiest and quickest to attach an external flash and the contacts always seem to align properly.
- 5.0 out of 5
I own a Nikon D-70, Canon XS-1000D, Olympus E-420 and now the Sony A-300. I am a camera junkie and a serious photographer. I used to own an aerial photography business and was always convinced that Nikon was the camera of choice. Now that I own the A-300, I am convinced it is the best value going for a beginners or intermediate photographer. I have the two kit lens w/ this camera and they are way above average for the typical kit lens with most cameras. My only regret with this camera, is that I didnt own it when it first came on the market. I occasionaly use the automatic setting and it almost always captures the shot as well as when use my own settings except in very low light.
- 5.0 out of 5
Sir,
This is the one I love shooting pictures as she has the built-in
stablizer and also the best price charged from Best Buy, Richmod store. I paid $569.99 with 2 lenses included. To avoid movement while pictures taken, I don't have to worry
any more. Also pictures come out very sharp. On the whole
she is worth for the monies I spent.
Tim, Richmond British Columbia, Canada.
- 5.0 out of 5
Been buying every canon and sony they make. Hesitated to buy SLR because of size but I can deal with that because believe me your subjects come alive. Wish they will come out with a smaller and lighter one.
- 5.0 out of 5
I spent a long time deciding which of these two cameras to buy...both have really good points, and in my view if you could merge the two together you would get an outstanding camera.
What swayed me to the Sony A300 was
1. Cost...nearly £100 cheaper...major consideration
2. Inbuilt stabilisation, meant I could look for alternative lenses, including old minolta
3. More accurate live view, good for macro shots
4. Battery life...Using the view finder the battery is excellent, I'm not sure how many pictures in honesty I get from one charge but it certainly last a few days of good shooting, took 500 pictures one weekend and still had 20% battery left.
Also like the fact that it tells you battery life in a more accurate % status.
5. Picture quality is superb in well lit conditions.
6. Fast and responsive
7. Longer focal length kit lens
OK so what don't I like..........plastic body....not sure how long will last which is a shame, plastic lens hood cracked on first day. I think the canon body will outlast the sony. Also the canon is alot quiter in its operation, important if you are doing wildlife. Also would like to be able to set my settings and have them saved when the camera next switched on. Canon does, Sony doesn't
All in all I think the Sony is great value for the money especially as you consider just a few years ago my fuji s602 cost me over £500 !
After weeks of deciding I went for the Sony, I have had it now for just over a month and am delighted with most shoots...until Sony, Canon, Nikon all become one there will be pluses and minuses with all cameras. Make sure you try before you buy and then simply be happy with your decision!
- 3.0 out of 5
The Alpha A300 is a reasonably good camera with some really nice features (e.g. tilt view screen, live view, built-in stabilization) and competitive price.
However, I've been quite disappointed with the default exposure controls. You have to reset your primary focal / exposure point(s) each time you turn on the camera unless you use Sony's default setting (which is erratic at best). If you want the camera to remember your preferred settings, you must use the program function. (Why did they bother with a "Reset to Defaults" function if you can't change the settings in the first place?)
An additional problem involves the camera / external flash interface. I purchased the HVL-F42AM flash unit recommended by Sony (bringing the price of the camera to $1000). The flash works fine as long as there isn't a moderate to bright secondary light source. The A300 senses this light source, ignores your focal / exposure set point, and fails to adjust for the correct flash exposure (resulting in an under-exposed image).
So far, I've been able to correct most flaws in Photoshop but ... I shouldn't have to!!!
Final point - Sony's online technical support is TERRIBLE!!! I haven't time to waste on the phone with tech support. I submitted a few basic questions (such as, How do I get the A300 to accept my focal / exposure point selection as the default?) only to be shuffled between departments and then ignored!
I would have returned the camera if I hadn't discovered (on my own) how to compensate for the camera's poor automatic exposure controls by establishing a custom program mode.
I'm not a PRO! I simply want a quality camera with a degree of flexibility that will reliably take good photos under a variety of conditions. I expect a $1000 camera / flash unit to take quality interior and exterior photos without extreme user involvement. I expect "Auto" and "Automatic" to mean "the camera will adjust to the situation on it's own!" Obviously, Sony disagrees and I understand Canon and Nikon do as well!!!
Purchase this camera only if you like to make custom settings ... it's not an automatic "point 'n shoot" camera!!!
- 5.0 out of 5
I am a very armature photographer and bought the Sony DSLR A300 on a whim. I am continually impressed with the quality of the camera, the clear crisp and bright pictures it takes and constantly discovering new features on the camera. I’m impressed enough that I’m toying with the idea of taking a course to improve my (limited) skills and get to know how to really use this impressive camera. I would highly recommend the Sony DSLR A300 to anyone.
Sony Alpha A300 Comments & Questions (write your own!)
As for why the Rebel doesn't, it's fallen out of favor in some cameras in favor of other options or smaller, lighter designs. Also, as the digital file is marked by a date and time when it's saved, the use of a date stamp feature in digital cameras has lost popularity amongst camera manufacturers as a feature.
But I'll get some disagreement on that from others here. My point was that many camera manufacturers are dropping date stamp as a feature.
There are software options though, to add it - Check out MAGTIME - filedudes.com/MagiTime-down... it's an application which adds date/time to the picture. But beware, once you do it, it can't be undone.
Don
BTW - If you're happy with the answer you received, you can simply click on "Mark for best answer" bubble and it will place the question in the "Answered" category for all to see. Or, you can leave the question open for a little while longer and see what else gets posted.
Thanks for posting it and Good luck!
Thanx again
John Martin
In reality, taking into account the limitations of the Sony Clear Photo LCD monitor coupled with the fact that in Live View mode the continuous shooting rate on the A350 / A300 drops down to 2 fps, we found the Sony Alpha A350 Quick AF Live View feature did not lend itself very well to capturing these action situations.
So, as long as you're not tied to the Quick AF Live View feature, you should be okay.
Any suggestions?
With that said, you can get an adaptor to make them fit. However, it gets complicated. Basically, the distance between the lens flange to the sensor is different on the newer A-mount lenses, so even with an adaptor you will not be able to focus on infinity without using other additions/ optical extenders et al.
If you do go looking for adaptors, you'll find two types. One has a glass element inside and tries to alter the focal length of the lens so that you can use infinity focus, but in the process it slows down the lens/ acts much like a teleconverter. The adaptors without the glass inside can only focus within a few yards (designed for close-up work only, since the infinity focus doesn't work).
I hope this helps. Let me know if you need further info!
But there are ways to combat it.
1. Prefocus. Hold down the shutter half way to get a prefocus of the image you're shooting. When it changes, prefocus again. This will speed up your camera's performance during picture taking since it won't have to autofocus before it shoots the shot.
2. Use faster SD cards. Yes, there are faster cards and it does make a difference in writing the image file to the card. This is especially key if you're taking multiple or burst images.
3. Fresher batteries. Use alkalines at least. But I recommend using high energy batteries designed for digital photography. Varta is a good brand. They are usually sold in camera shops, are long lasting (because they are sold in small quantities) put out alot of energy.
4. Pan with the action. You can create some pretty cool shots by panning with your shot, focusing on your subject. This will create the effect of your subject in sharp contrast to the blurry background.
6. Stick with 100-400 ISO. Going higher will cause more noise/grain in your shots, particularly in darker settings.
Doing these, particularly prefocusing and panning with the action will cut your shutter lag by as much as 80%.
But as for this camera - as a DSLR, you won't have to worry about shutter lag. Doesn't exist. But being in the habit of prefocusing still helps cut the focus time down.
I'm going to direct you to a similar question for your response - the XG-M has the same "M" lens mount discussed in this response:
digitalcamera-hq.com/digita...
The difference actually lies in the quality of the Macro lens, and you definitely will need one if you intend to go into it.
There is an article about insect photography at <a href="azone.clubsnap.org/insectgu... location</a> that might be of interest to you. and here is an article on <a href="the-digital-picture.com/Rev... macro lens </a> that will give you some useful ideas on the same subject.
Other manufacturers ( Sigma/Tokina/Tamron etc. ) lenses that use the A mount system ( i.e. designed for Minolta usage ) will be usable on the Alpha.
Jim