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Nikon D80

Sony Alpha DSLRA300K 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization with DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Zoom Lens

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Brand: Sony
Category: Photography

Buy New: $599.00

New (12) Used (4) from $555.00

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

35 reviews

Color: Black
Media: Electronics
Batteries Included: Yes
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Includes Software: Yes
Optical Zoom: 4
Digital Zoom: 2
Display Size: 2.7
Maximum Focal Length: 70
Minimum Focal Length: 18
Maximum Resolution: 10200000
Has Red Eye Reduction: Yes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 3 x 5.3 x 4

MPN: B00138MVBY
Model: B00138MVBY
UPC: 027242727038
EAN: 0027242727038
ASIN: B00138MVBY

Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Features:

•	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

Accessories:

•	Induro Carbonflex 8x Tripod CX-114
•	Adobe Photoshop CS4
•	Adobe Photoshop Elements & Premiere Elements 7
•	Adobe Photoshop Elements 7

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•	Tiffen 55mm UV Protection Filter

Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
10.2-megapixel effective recording * 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 lens (35mm equivalent focal length: 27-105mm) * compatible with Sony Alpha and Minolta A-type bayonet mount autofocus lenses * Super SteadyShot image stabilization * anti-dust technology to keep image sensor clean *

Customer Reviews: Read 30 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

The best value in an Alpha? May 11, 2008
Hiram Grant
96 out of 99 found this review helpful

Having previously reviewed the Alpha 200 and 350, it seems a bit silly to review the Alpha 300. After all, the Alpha 300 is a 200 with Live View, or a 350 with 10 megapixels instead of 14mp. Right?

Well, pretty much that's the case. But there is also a corresponding price difference. Is Live View worth an extra $100? Is 14mp worth an extra $200?

For my money, yes, Live View is worth the $100 because of the way Sony has implemented this feature. Unlike most systems, you won't see a loss in autofocusing performance (or a loss of autofocus completely), nor will you alter the way the exposure and white balance are determined. Add to this the articulated screen that makes extremely low or high angle shots easier, and I say "YES"! Any drawbacks? Yes, this screen is a bit thicker, and pushes you back a bit when looking through the camera. Also, the way Sony implements Live View does mean you only see 90 percent of what you'll get on the image.

OK, is 14mp worth the extra $200? I don't know, but I don't think so. We really need more critical comparisons from people with true scientific methods of measuring the difference in image quality, but there are a few assumptions that will probably hold true, based on previous cameras. The 14mp will give a superior image in good lighting, when ISO values (the fake "film" speeds) can be set to higher quality settings. You won't see this difference on an 8x10 standard photo, but probably could in very big enlargements or severe cropping of photos. Keep in mind that the "1.4x and 2x teleconverter" option you have with Live View is nothing more than cropping, with 2x dropping your effective megapixels in half.

Past cameras would suggest, however, that the higher pixel density of the 14mp camera would be a drawback in low light conditions, in particular when we have to raise the ISO settings. Thus, they may not even be as good as the 10mp sensor for these applications (but we still need critical testing to confirm this assumption).

So, for my money, I'd say the 14mp is probably not worth the money for someone shooting an even variety of shoots, but might be for a landscape/wildlife photographer.

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!

Sony Alpha A200K 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization with 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens
Sony Alpha DSLRA350K 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Zoom Lens

Nikon D60 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens
Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black)

5 out of 5 stars

A300 - a fine camera indeed May 15, 2008
Gil (Hillsdale, NJ United States)
40 out of 41 found this review helpful

I had to choose between the a200, a300 and a350. Like another reviewer said, I think the a300 hits the sweetspot. The Live view is a feature that I might have to add to my list of requirements for future upgrades.

One of the things that annoyed me about shooting with a dslr were my glasses. To prevent them from being smudged, I'd flip them up when pressing my face against the eyepiece. Spend an entire day doing this and it becomes a royal PITA. I've only used the camera for about a week so far and I can already see that I'll be relying on Live view a lot.

The other major benefits of Live view are: 1) being able to shoot pics from the ground level perspective (great for kids and dogs) without multiple trial and errors or crouching/laying on the ground (my back thanks me), and 2) shooting over a crowd of heads, fence, glass partition, etc.

The image doesn't track as smooth as I'd hoped, but it's good enough for framing the shot. It shows you the autofocus points as well as providing a live histogram (i love it!).

I upgraded from a Minolta 5D and I think I'll miss the depth of field preview as well. Small price to pay for all the other great features.

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.

5 out of 5 stars

Lives up to high expectations. Great entry-level+ DSLR. May 17, 2008
Robert Correll
29 out of 31 found this review helpful

My first DSLR, and I am very satisfied.

Why I bought it:

Live View - excellent implementation. This was my number one purchase point for this camera. Fast switching to and from the Optical Viewfinder. You can use Live View outside of the studio and it acts just like a standard consumer digital camera screen. Screen tilts, which is handy.

10MP - this is the sweet spot for price and capability. The Alpha 350 has 14MP, but I decided to save the money and buy a few accessories right away.

RAW+JPEG - I wanted a camera that shot RAW+JPEG and didn't skimp on the JPEG. You can shoot high-quality JPEG and RAW at the same time.

Great photos - has to do that.

Good surprises after I got the camera and started using it:

Ease of Use - very easy to start using right out of the box (recharge the battery first).

Steady Shot - gives me the confidence to shoot without a tripod and it has a nice readout on the LCD that tells you when you're shaking.

Battery life - I've been taking quite a few photos the last week and have yet to recharge the internal battery.

Display Button - easy to press and review your photos. Very easy to get back to shooting.

Minor Bad Point - in-camera flash is very low and kit lens casts a shadow if you are too close to your subject. I got an HVL-F36AM external flash with the camera so I don't have to worry about this too much.

Some mention that the viewfinder is small, but I used it all day today because of the bright sunlight and was happy with it. I was sitting in our vehicle and noticed a tank in my side mirror. I decided to take the photo using auto focus but that didn't work, so I focused manually on the tank about 30 yards behind me through the driver's side window in the left side mirror and got a perfectly sharp picture using the Optical Viewfinder.

Great camera!!

5 out of 5 stars

Great camera for the price! May 1, 2008
Erick Morales (Florida, Miami)
16 out of 19 found this review helpful

camera takes good pictures, good for the price. It has everything i was looking for in my first digital slr camera. super steady shot image stabillization is a plus for me, you can buy lens for half the price if you are on a budget. I also like the live view with its x 1.4 and X 2 which adds extra zoom to any lens(ONLY ON LIVE VIEW) the flip screen lcd is useful when shooting with live view. to shoot different creative shots, overall i am satisfied with my camera and looking forward to learning how to shoot great pictues and develop better skills in photography.

4 out of 5 stars

A300K Review May 14, 2008
MRA (Port Angeles, WA)
16 out of 21 found this review helpful

The A300 is, but for one flaw, an excellent camera. My pictures are consistently good. The controls are not bad. I would prefer more dials and less menus; however, the critical functions are readily accessible through the function button.

The flaw I mentioned deals with the vulnerability of the (LCD) liquid crystal display. Because that display swivels, it stick out further from the camera body than would otherwise be the case. As such it is more likely to be damaged or scratched. Note that, unlike the Olympus E-510, the LCD does not swivel against the body for protection. Incredibly, Sony does not make available, at least for the US market, any attachable protective covers. The "Lens and Accessory Compatibility Chart" on Sony's US website does list a plastic sheet (part # PCK-lS3AM) as available for the A300 (and the A350). The "Accessory" catalog, at pages 9 and 18, lists the same part. Nevertheless, this part is not available in the US. This was confirmed to me by phone with Sony Customer Support and by letter dated May 8, 2008, from Sony Customer Affairs, that Sony Marketing has made the decision not to make this protective part available in the US. No reason was given. The part is available in Europe, but, not for shipment to the US.

This is poor decision by Sony. Putting aside the question of listing the part as available when in fact it is not, the camera needs this part. Sony does make such protective devices available for the A200 and A700. The A300 and A350 need this protection more than the A200 and A700. The decision to deny American buyers the protection offered to Europeans is senseless.

I am sure that the aftermarket will eventually remedy this oversight. Until then, unless you have a compelling need for live view and/or a swiveling LCD, stick with the A200.

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