Name: Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 Digital SLR Camera with 18 - 70mm Lens, 10.2 Megapixel & 2.7" LCD Screen
Brand: Sony
SKU: ISODSLRA300K
Price: 599.00 USD
Availability: Discontinued
Rating: 4.5 (32 reviews)

Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 Digital SLR Camera with 18 - 70mm Lens, 10.2 Megapixel & 2.7" LCD Screen

Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 DSLR Camera w/18-70mm Lens,10.2 MP

Sony

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Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 DSLR Camera w/18-70...

Top Rated Gear: Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 Digital SLR Camera with 18 - 70mm Lens, 10.2 Megapixel & 2.7" LCD Screen

Good starter camera.  Love Sony's battery indicator.

Good Starter Camera

It will cost me $400 to fix a $550 camera for a problem that has plagued this particular model. Hopefully Sony has fixed this uncharacteristic quality issue in future models.

Faulty Mirror Design

I'm on my third lens. Unfortunatly, sony doesn't make them anymore so I've had to revert to ebay

Beware

I have had this camera for over a year. I am an amateur photographer but have my photos evaluated as ‘pro’ quality when we have them duplicated at the retail stores. (I have to certify no copyright, etc.) I replaced my 13 yr old Minolta 35mm body with this a300 and use all my old Minolta lens. I was able to get a 300mm zoom together with an old Minolta 35mm kit off Craig’s List for $50. Gave the camera to my 2yr old and stuck the lens in my bag. I really enjoy the LCD screen. I cut a protector for the LCD from the CD case front cover (thin clear plastic) and some double stick tape to mount it on the LCD screen. I don’t worry about damaging the LCD screen now, and can replace my ‘custom’ cover if it gets scratched. The camera is too heavy to carry around on the neck-strap when mated with a good lens, but then a DSLR is less convenient than a pocket camera. I have been very happy with this camera and consider it money well spent.

General Comments

Love the picture quality in raw mode, its is superb :) i am so happy i chose it and have no regrets.

Awesome!

This is the BEST camera I have EVER owned! It takes really great pictures and I just love everything about it! I would highly recommend it to anyone!

WONDERFUL Camera

5000 clicks and still going. I've taken many wonderful shots of our baby and family with this camera. It was my first DSLR and I don't regret getting it.

Wonderful starter camera.

Pricewise, the cost was comparable to other brands. Camera started out doing well w/normal shots. Now it has noise at 400 ISO rating, outdoors. Not good for taking continuous photos such as airshows. Other camera brands still clicking away, while mine stops as the object is close. Camera image sensor gets dirty frequently. Design is good and easy to use though, especially the tilt LCD screen.

So So

It was a nice purchase where I invested over 400$ for a camera and its worth it. At first I didnt know how to use the features of the camera effectively. But now I am able to take very nice shots with my DSLR. I would prefer a single lens to go with the body, instead of the two lenses. (Wide angle and telephoto). If both were incorporated into one, it would have been easy to take any snap irrespective whether it is far or near. The day snaps come pretty good, but the night shots need some adjustments and with a tripod it also comes good. The main problem I faced was that I couldnt take close up macro shots using any of the lenses. This makes me a bit disappointed and that is why I have marked a 4star rating overall. My budjest doesnt allow me to go for an expensive macro lens at present. Maybe in future I will think of it. Overall the camera is pretty good and comparable to Nikon D60 or Canon EOS rebel XS. Its a bit heavy compared to them and the overall size is also bit bigger. But the controls and menus are easily accessible and easy to operate.
I would definitely recommend this if you want to buy a DSLR camera with same features and same time a cheaper one.

Sony DSLR A300 - First step into SLR photography

Never took action shots before-Great photos right from the start. AUTO feature could not be easier for novice, or experienced user

Great Pic's right out of box..

May take a week to learn all the controls and what they. Live view helps to see the effects as you change the controls. This is very nice feature.

Minolta Maxuim  owner should love it.

This is a great Camera. Doesnt take too long to learn all the buttons. Lots of fun.

Love my Sony

This is a wonderful camera, especially if you're entering into D-SLR photography or if you're an Expert/Professional.
This camera is excellent overall! I do dislike how the screen is out so far that using the viewfinder is quite hard but takes getting use to having that on your face all the time. LCD protector is needed.
The camera has unacceptable noise at ISO 1600 and 3200, you can get by this by setting your camera to ISO 800 and adjust your exposure and shutter speed, trust me, this works, all my photos are at 800 ISO and lower, night shots are excellent when you don't have a High ISO!
I recommend this camera to anyone I converse with and wants a great D-SLR at a great price. Sony is always leading out with its electronics and I think they give Canon and Nikon a run for their money! Overall, no downfalls with this camera, I recommend this and for professionals, the A700!!

Wonderful D-SLR

This camera is so easy, heck my wife can even take great picturs!

Great DSLR

Live view works great, image quality is alright, but the higher iso speeds are quite noisy and the viewfinder is very small. Great camera for well lit shootings, but a poor choice for low light.

Alright for beginners

I did my research before buying this camera. It does what it says and is a good buy for the price. the pictures are crystal clear.
The only thing that I was disappointed in was there is no sepia on the camera, that is found on the basic sony digital cameras.
Otherwise a great camera

sony 300

I purchased this camera in October after reading many reviews of many different models from Nikon, Canon, and others. I really wanted a camera that was compatible with my older Maxxum AF lenses. I did a lot of research and decided that the Sony Alpha 300 model was the right one for me. I have shot approximately 500 photos with it so far. Mostly landscapes, close-ups, and just general photography around the house. It is very easy to use. The user manual is well laid out and easy to understand. The camera is so easy to use that my wife (not very technical) was able to pick it up and shoot photos easily. She was even able to switch to manual focus, aperture priority, and shutter priority and use those settings easily. The only drawbacks are that the camera is not rated to use the newer Extreme III and Extreme IV cards from Sandisk. Also, battery life has been less than the rated 700+ photos before recharging. My next purchase will be a second battery. I also highly recommend the LCD screen protector/cover. A friend of mine owns a different brand of DSLR and scratched her LCD screen within a few weeks.

Great camera!

The A300, compared to a Nikon or Canon in the same model range (but fairly different price range), has exceptional value when it comes to factors such as design, professional-features and functionality for the amateur.
The Live-View and tilt-ability of the LCD is makes taking photos more of a convenience for me and gives me a choice from the view finder, depending on my circumstances. The exterior design is highly ergonomic, but above all the input buttons are easy to find while the A300's internal-software makes navigating around functions much easier- and I say this having shot with a higher-range Canon DSLR several times before. The A300 is capable of producing outstanding photos, especially when supplementing it with a decent tripod.
The only negativity that I feel is worth mentioning is the overall quality and thickness/ durability of the plastic that the camera is made of. This I also compare to my experience with a Canon DSLR which seemed more "solid" when in hand. I mention this because the "side-door" for the USB-access & memory stick is what really caught my attention. It is located exactly where a person's "right-hand-grip" would usually be on the camera. It is probably more a design-flaw than the quality of material, but the "side-door" very-slightly moves when gripping the camera to take a shot. This tells me that it does not lock or fit properly in place.
Otherwise, this is great value for money and I've taken hundreds of pictures over the last couple of weeks, problem free. Just a mention: If you happen to run a 64bit Vista OS, then the supplied software will not work on your computer since its not yet 64bit enabled. You don't need it to load the photos on your computer though. I urge Sony to come up with a 64x edition.

Great Entry-Level DSLR

I have worked with many digital cameras and the A300 sets the standard for ease of use in a DSLR.  Controls are well situated, logical and readily available.  Having a feature is important, but making the feature accessible and easy to use is key.  This is a feature rich camera offering great control and stunning results.  Most of all, in those off-eye level situations, the live action, 2.7-inch movable display is a huge asset.  Creative shots become a cake walk. Above-the-crowd, ground level - no problems.  White balance adjustments (preset and configurable) are excellent.  Lens quality is also exceptional.  The standard 18 - 70 (27 - 105mm 35mm equivalent) does a great job.  The 55 - 200 is also a strong performer.