For first-time DSLR users, Sony¿s ¿ (alpha) DSLR-A300 combines superb 10.2 MP quality with Live Preview mode that links you and your subject in a large 2.7¿ LCD screen for point-and-shoot simplicity. Super-quick AF response helps capture the perfect moment -- and low-light shooting benefits from high sensitivity (ISO 3200), low noise and in-camera Super SteadyShot image stabilization that reduces blur with every Sony, Carl Zeiss and legacy Minolta a-mount lens.

Technical Details

-10.2 MP for high-resolution image detail
-Kit include DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 Standard Zoom Lens
-High sensitivity (ISO 3200) with noise reduction
-Tiltable 2.7¿ LCD screen for high/low angle shots
-In-camera image stabilization
See more technical details

 "Great experience with this camera." 2010-05-25
By D. Crum (Idaho)
I have had this camera for about a year, having "moved up" from a canon FTb film camera I have had since the 1970's. (Still works perfectly, by the way.) The Sony A300 is my first digital SLR, but I have had a few digital point and shoot cameras in the past (the Olympus C765 is my favorite "old" camera.)

The Sony is plenty feature rich for a slightly advanced amateur like me. I have taken some great shots with this camera. It has no shutter lag to speak of, the "live-view" feature is extremely helpful. I have asked it to do some difficult shots, like time exposures (automatic setting) inside St Peter's in Rome. Great, beautiful results. Image quality is very good, excellent sharpness. Color is maybe a little over saturated, but that can be fixed easily in post production.

The stock 18-70 f3.5-5.6 kit lens is nice, but I'm starting to lust after faster glass. I also purchased a Tamron 70-300mm zoom lens for the Sony which has been great for taking sports pictures from the sidelines. Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro Zoom Lens for Konica Minolta and Sony Digital SLR Cameras These new digital cameras have such great ASA ranges, that even pokey lenses like the Tamron's can shoot good photos in limited light.

For the price, I am very happy with this Sony A300. My only other comment is I wish it had (high quality) video recording capability.


 "Good SLR for an amateur!" 2010-04-15
By M. Tom
I had considered several Canon and Nikon models before settling on this camera and I could not be more satisfied. I have taken over 10k photos in the last one year I have owned it. I use it along with my Tamron 18-200 and Sony 50mmF1.4 lens and the image quality is quite good. The most impressive thing about this camera is it's battery.
The tiltable lcd makes taking overhead and low level photos a breeze. Some shots taken with this camera have been uploaded in [...].


 "Best Camera in this price range, hands down." 2010-04-09
By Tiras
I have owned the Sony alpha A300 for a little over a year now. Coming from a traditional film camera background, I find this camera very easy to use while supporting all the features that I need. Sony's liveview is the quickest you're likely to find, and the technology incorporated into the A300 is second to none, and the very useful in the body shake reduction (coupled with legacy minolta lens compatibility) make high quality lenses quite affordable when compared to other camera brands.

With that being said, I am slightly disappointed with the image quality straight out of the camera. I find that with stock glass, images tend to be a bit soft, and need richness added in post processing. (This should be expected with a camera in this class though.) The average user who is likely to purchase a camera in this price range will probably not notice much of a difference between the Sony and its competition, and I've found the Sony to be a much better price. I am simply suggesting that the body outperforms the kit glass, and stepping up to a G series, or zeiss lens would really help with the lack of richness. (I'm probably being picky here. A person will likely never notice unless his images are printed over 13".)

This camera really shines when a person leaves the stock modes and sets picture style, and aperture to his liking. The lower ISO's perform beautifully, and I personally don't ever have a need to venture beyond an occasional ISO 800, so noise has never been an issue for my work. Autofocus could be a bit quicker, but again, of the cameras in this price range a person isn't likely to do much better. All in all I love this camera and find it very enjoyable to shoot with.




 "Good value" 2010-02-01
By DCGeek1 (Washington, DC)
This is my first DSLR, the only decent camera I had before was an Olympus C2100UZ. I bought the Sony six months ago, on the recommendation from someone I trust with these kind of things. At the time this camera had features that other cameras had which cost a couple hundred more.

In particular, this camera had Live View. You can take pictures from the LCD screen in the back. A lot of entry level cameras didn't have this in early 2009. It's a fast Live View design, too. It doesn't slow down the shutter.

Live View might not be relevant a real camera purist. But for someone who's trying to drag his family into the DSLR world, the Live View helped get this camera adopted quickly.

While it's not a Nikon or Canon, there seem to be a lot of old lenses out there that work with this camera. My first additional lens purchase was an inexpensive used Konica/Minolta 50mm f1.7 prime lens for portrait shots. With this lens, I am now a novice who spent way less than a grand and can even shoot good pictures indoors without a flash in many conditions.

It's been a good camera so far.


 "Sony Alpha DSLRA300K 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization with DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Zoom Lens" 2009-10-19
By R. Schmidt (Menasha, WI USA)
This is my first slr camera and so far I am very happy with it. I always owned Sony
camera's and never had any problems with them. All the options and features that are on this camera are great.


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