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Sony Alpha A300 digital SLR camera : Sony is bringing live-view shooting to its digital SLR camera line with the 10.2-megapixel Alpha DSLR-A300. The new Sony A300 features new technologies that make picture taking faster, easier, and more familiar for first-time DSLR users. The Alpha 300 offers Sony’s new “Quick AF Live View” technology so you can frame photos on the camera’s LCD without sacrificing auto-focusing speed common to other live-view systems. Sony’s innovative Pentamirror Tilt mechanism directs light to a dedicated live view image sensor, enabling fast and responsive TTL phase-detection auto-focusing, even during live view. Eliminating the focus delay of other systems, the new Sony A300 is equally responsive whether using live view or optical viewfinder.
 
Sony A300 - Clear Photo LCD screen
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. Taking further advantage of Quick AF Live View is the models’ variable angle 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD screen. This makes it easy to frame scenes from high or low positions difficult to reach when using an eye-level viewfinder. With Live View and an adjustable LCD, the Sony Alpha A300 camera does not need to be in front of the user’s face, allowing parents, for example, to maintain eye-contact when photographing their children.
Sony Alpha A300 - Quick AF Live View
“Mainstream users stepping up to DSLRs are looking for a similar experience to their point and shoot cameras, but without compromise in speed or performance” said Phil Lubell, director of marketing for digital cameras at Sony Electronics. “Quick AF Live View gives the new Sony A300 model a familiar shooting style without compromising speed - ideal for the growing market of first-time SLR users.”
Sony Alpha 300 - Exceptional image quality
The Sony Alpha 300 produces images with fine detail, rich tonality and vibrant color due to their APS-C CCD image sensors and BIONZ processing engine. To aid shooting in low light, Super SteadyShot image stabilization enables shutter speeds 2.5 to 3.5 steps slower than otherwise possible, with every compatible Minolta Maxxum and Sony α (Alpha) lens (sold separately) attached to the camera.
Sony A300 DSLR camera - High sensitivity
High sensitivity operation at ISO 1600 and 3200 and very low noise are made possible by the user-selectable high-ISO noise reduction features. Sony’s D-Range Optimizer delivers suitable tonality and exposures with rich shadow and highlight detail, even under high contrast situations.
Sony DLSR-A300 - InfoLithium battery
The Sony A300 model can shoot about three continuous frames per second, when using the optical viewfinder. The SLR-A300 is powered by the Bionz processing engine and supplied InfoLithium battery for fast start-up times, quick response and long battery life - up to 730 shots per full charge when using the optical viewfinder and up to 410 shots per full charge in live-view mode.
Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 - Lighter, slimmer body
The Sony A300 features a lighter, slimmer body for easy handling; an improved user interface; an automatic pop-up flash; a comfortable camera grip with an easily accessible mode dial; an anti-dust system to keep the CCD image sensor clean for spot-free pictures; and JPEG and RAW file format support. The Sony Alpha 300 further features a slot for CompactFlash Type I/II media cards.
Sony Alpha Accessories & Price
An adaptor for Memory Stick Duo media cards is also available for the Sony A300 camera and sold separately. The new DSLR-A300 camera is compatible with a range of accessories, including the ergonomic Sony VG-B30AM vertical grip. Also available as an option is the new Sony HVL-F42AM flash unit. It offers advanced features such as automatic white balance adjustment with color temperature information, adjustable bounce angles, ADI metering and wireless remote operation to suit the needs of most photographers. The DSLR-A300 kit with a DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 standard zoom lens will ship in April for about $800.
 Sony A300
 DSLR-A300
we highlighted the new features the 450D offers over the 400D. We've now had a bit more of a look through them so that we can bring you some more details and respond to the questions we're seeing asked.
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12 megapixel CMOS sensor
The 450D features a new, 12.4 megapixel sensor. It has 12.2 million effective pixels. Further down the line, the A/D converter is capable of relaying 14 bit information to the camera's image processor or as a 14-bit RAW file. This should, in theory at least, offer smoother gradation steps in the final images.
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SD / SDHC Card
This is also the first entry-level Canon DSLR to use the Secure Digital format. It's a popular format with the compact digital camera owners Canon will be hoping to lure into DSLR ownership. SDHC is now available in similar sizes and speeds to the CF format used by the 300D, 350D and 400D.
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Larger viewfinder
A big step forwards for Canon's entry-level DSLR is the larger viewfinder. It's unlikely to be as bright as the ones found in Canon's XXD models because it uses mirrors, rather than a glass prism but in terms of magnification (size), it's almost on a par with the 30D which was a considerably more expensive camera. It's unusual to see viewfinder specs mentioned when comparing DSLRs but they can make a really big difference to usability.
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Live view
The 450D becomes the latest DSLR to include a live view mode. [Here are the options you get]. It includes a slow but potentially very accurate contrast detection AF method, which can be made the default for Live view. [Using this custom function]. It also offers an optional live histogram to help with exposure and an' Exposure Simulation' indicator to confirm when the view on the screen represents the brightness of the final image. |
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Spot metering
A regular criticism of Canon's Rebel range has always been the lack of a spot metering mode. Spot metering is a tool that many photographers find invaluable, particularly when setting manual exposures in difficult-to-capture high contrast scenes. Previously only available on XXD-level cameras, we're delighted to see spot metering appear on the 450D (central 4% of the frame).
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Multi-shot self-timer mode
The 450D gains the ability to take multiple shots each time the self-timer is used. If you're trying to appear in a group shot and don't want to have to keep running back to the camera, it could prove a really useful feature. |
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3" LCD
One of the most obvious external differences between the 450D and its predecessor is the inclusion of a huge 3 inch LCD screen. It's got the same number of pixels as the one on the 400D (which means it's actually lower resolution), but, considering it doubles as the camera's settings screen, the extra size should be useful.
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Verification data
The 450D adds the "original decision data" option that cropped up on the 40D. This appends a piece of data in the image file, based on certain aspects of the original image. This data would no longer correspond if the image were changed, allowing users to prove the veracity of an image. (Which requires the OSK-E3 security kit) |
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Auto Lighting Optimizer
A feature that is starting to appear on the majority of DSLRs being announced is something along the lines of Canon's 'Auto Lighting Optimizer.' This processes photos after they've been taken to try to correct contrast and brightness to optimize the image.
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Highlight Tone Priority
Another feature that has made its way down from the 40D is 'Highlight Tone Priority' which alters the way that the camera meters a scene. This means it captures and retains more information in the bright areas of the image at the risk of more noise in the shadows. |
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High ISO noise reduction
Another feature trickling down from the 40D is the option to add an extra level of noise reduction when shooting at the camera's highest sensitivity settings. Comes at the expense of continuous shooting speed so has been made optional.
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14-bit A/D converter
The 450D's DIGIC III processor handles the sensor's data in 14-bit. Whether this makes any difference away from the spec-sheet is something we'll see when we get the chance to conduct more extensive testing. |
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Improved 9-point AF system
Although we've not had a chance to test the changes, Canon is claiming the AF system has been revised in the XSi / 450D. Certainly the AF chip appears to be different to the one we showed in the 400D review.
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Larger, higher capacity, battery
The 450D departs from its predecessors by using a new battery. The new, larger, LP-E5 battery has a capacity of 1080mAh, rather than 720mAh. This will be particularly useful given the greater power demands that live view brings. |
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My Menu
Another feature inherited from its older brother, the 40D, is My Menu. This lets users group their most-used menu items into a personal list, for easy access. It's a feature we found surprisingly useful.
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Revised user interface
The status display has been freshened-up and is slightly easier to read. There are now four color schemes available. The 450D also gains the ability to show Speedlight settings on the screen for people working with external Canon flashguns. |
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ISO in viewfinder
As well as making the viewfinder larger, Canon has found room to fit additional information into the viewfinder information bar. This, along with the sensibly-placed ISO button, gives you fewer reasons to have to take the camera away from your eye when shooting, which we applaud. |
New battery grip
Along with the restyled body comes a new battery grip. The BG-E5 gives the option of taking two LP-E5 batteries or 6 AA batteries, using a different slot-in insert. The grip fills the re-shaped battery bay which means these are instead of, not in addition to the normal battery and older grips are incompatible. |
Nikon D300 In-depth Review, March 2008
Review based on a production Nikon D300
Just under two years since the D200 Nikon reveals the D300, the range of changes is so significant that it wouldn't be inappropriate to call it a 'compact D3' (less the full-frame sensor of course). From the top there's a new CMOS sensor with twelve megapixels, a new auto-focus sensor with 51-points (15 of which are cross-type sensitive), there's focus tracking by color, scene recognition, Picture Control presets, six frames per second continuous shooting (or eight frames per second with a battery pack), Compact Flash UDMA support, Live View (with contrast detect AF) and the mighty impressive 3.0" 922,000 pixel LCD monitor (oh and HDMI video output). It's an impressive list, the D200 was a fair step up from the D100, the D300 can be seen as just as big a step, certainly more than enough to make the competition sweat.
Model line history
| Model |
Announced
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Effective pixels
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Auto focus
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Continuous highest (JPEG) |
LCD monitor |
| D100 |
Feb 2002 |
6.0 mp |
5 point |
3.0 fps, 6 frames |
1.8", 120K pixels |
| D200 |
Nov 2005 |
10.2 mp |
11 point |
5.0 fps, 37 frames |
2.5" 230K pixels |
| D300 |
Aug 2007 |
12.3 mp |
51 point |
6.0/8.0 fps, 100 frames |
3.0" 922K pixels + Live View |
Nikon D300 Key Features
- 12.3 megapixel DX format CMOS sensor
- Self-cleaning sensor unit (low-pass filter vibration)
- ISO 200 - 3200 (6400 with boost)
- 14-bit A/D conversion
- Nikon EXPEED image processor (Capture NX processing and NR algorithms, lower power)
- Super fast operation (power-up 13 ms, shutter lag 45 ms, black-out 100 ms)
- Shutter life 150,000 exposures
- New Multi-CAM3500DX Auto Focus sensor (51-point, 15 cross-type, more vertical coverage)
- Auto-focus tracking by color (using information from 1005-pixel AE sensor)
- Auto-focus calibration (fine-tuning) now available (fixed body or up to 20 separate lens settings)
- Scene Recognition System (uses AE sensor, AF sensor)
- Picture Control image parameter presets (replace Color Modes I, II and III)
- Custom image parameters now support brightness as well as contrast
- Six frames per second continuous shooting (eight frames per second with battery pack)
- Compact Flash UDMA support
- 3.0" 922,000 pixel LCD monitor
- Live View with either phase detect (mirror up/down) or contrast detect Auto Focus
- HDMI HD video output
- 'Active D-Lighting' (adjusts metering as well as applying D-Lighting curve)
- Detailed 'Control Panel' type display on LCD monitor, changes color in darkness
- New MB-D10 vertical grip fully integrates into body, multi battery type compatible
- Buttons sealed against moisture
Nikon D300 vs. D200 feature and specification differences
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Nikon D300
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Nikon D200
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| Sensor |
• 12.3 million effective pixel CMOS
• DX format |
• 10.2 million effective pixel CCD
• DX format |
| A/D converter |
14-bit |
12-bit |
| Image processor |
Nikon EXPEED |
Unspecified |
| Image sizes |
• 4288 x 2848
• 3216 x 2136
• 2144 x 1424 |
• 3872 x 2592
• 2896 x 1944
• 1936 x 1296 |
| RAW files |
NEF / Compressed NEF 14-bit |
NEF 12-bit |
| TIFF files |
Yes |
No |
| Dust reduction |
Self-cleaning sensor unit |
No |
| Auto focus |
• 51-point Multi-CAM 3500DX
• 15 cross-type sensors
• Contrast detect in Live View mode |
• 11-point Multi-CAM 1000 |
| Focus tracking by color |
Yes |
No |
| AF area mode |
• Single point AF
• Dynamic Area AF [9 points, 21 points, 51 points, 51 points (3D-tracking)]
• Automatic-area AF
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• Single Area AF
• Dynamic AF with Focus Tracking and Lock-on
• Group Dynamic AF
• Closest Subject Priority Dynamic AF |
| Sensitivity |
• Default: ISO 200 - 3200
• Boost: ISO 100 - 6400
• 1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps
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• Default: ISO 100 - 1600
• Boost: Up to ISO 3200
• 1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps
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| Continuous shooting |
• With built-in battery: up to 6 fps
• With AC adapter or MB-D10 pack and batteries other than EN-EL3e: up to 8 fps |
5 fps
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| Image Parameters |
• Picture Control (4 presets)
• Sharpening
• Contrast
• Brightness
• Saturation
• Hue |
• Presets (6 presets)
• Sharpening
• Tone
• Color mode
• Saturation
• Hue |
| Active D-Lighting |
Yes (also adjusts exposure) |
No |
| Viewfinder |
100% frame coverage |
95% frame coverage |
| LCD monitor |
• 3.0 " TFT LCD
• 922,000 pixels |
• 2.5 " TFT LCD
• 230,000 pixels |
| LCD Live View |
• Handheld mode (phase detect AF)
• Tripod mode (contrast detect AF) |
No |
| Compact Flash |
Type I / II (UDMA support) |
Type I / II |
| Vertical grip |
MB-D10 |
MB-D200 |
| Video output |
HDMI (HD) |
Composite (SD) |
| Menu languages |
14 |
13 |
| Dimensions |
147 x 114 x 74 mm (5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9 in) |
147 x 113 x 74 mm (5.8 x 4.4 x 2.9 in) |
| Weight (no batt) |
825 g (1.82 lb) |
830 g (1.8 lb) |
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USD 
MYR 
211.457 %