Sony alpha 300 User Manual

	Main specifications of		300
	System
	Camera type	Digital SLR camera with built-in flash and interchangeable lenses
	Lens compatibility	Sony lenses, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lenses
	Image Sensor	APS-C type (23.6 x 15.8mm), with RGB primary color filters
	Sensor type
	Effective pixels	Approx. 10.2 megapixels
	Total pixels	Approx. 10.8 megapixels
	Anti-Dust system	Charge protection coating on low pass filter
		and image-sensor shift mechanism
	ISO sensitivity range	AUTO, 100 to 3200 (in 1-stop increments, Recommended Exposure Index)
	A/D conversion	12 bits
	Recording	JPEG (DCF2.0 and Exif 2.21 compliant, DPOF supported),
	Recording format
		RAW (Sony ARW 2.0 format), RAW + JPEG
		<Aspect ratio 3:2>
	Image size	L size: 3872 x 2592 (10M), M size: 2896 x 1936 (5.6M),S size: 1920 x1280 (2.5M)
		<Aspect ratio 16:9>
		L size:3872 x 2176 (8.4M), M size:2896 x 1632 (4.7M),S size:1920 x 1088 (2.1M)
	Image quality modes	RAW, RAW + JPEG, Fine, Standard
		CompactFlash (Type I,Type II), Microdrive
	Media	*Separately sold "Memory Stick Duo Adapter for CompactFlash Slot
		AD-MSCF1" is necessary to use Memory Stick Duo / Memory Stick PRO Duo /
		Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo
	Noise reduction	Long exposure NR: On/Off selectable, available at shutter speeds longer than 1 sec.
		High ISO NR: On/Off selectable, available at ISO 1600 or higher
	Color space	sRGB, Adobe RGB
	Other features	Creative Style, D-Range Optimizer (Off, Standard,Advanced)
	White Balance	Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy,Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash
	Modes
		Color Temperature / Color filter, Custom
	Bracketing	3 exposures, H/L level selectable
	Focus Control
	Type	TTL phase detection system
	Sensor	CCD line sensors
	No. of focus point	9 points
	Sensitivity range	EV 0 - 18 (at ISO 100)
	Modes	AF/MF selectable. AF modes: Single-shot AF, Automatic AF, Continuous AF
	Focus area	Wide, Spot, Local (9 local areas selectable)
	Other features	Predictive control, Focus lock, Eye-start AF,
		AF illuminator (Built-in flash, Range: approx. 1-5m)
	Exposure Control
		Type:TTL metering
	Metering	Sensor: 40-segment honeycomb-pattern SPC
		Sensitivity range: EV 2 - 20 (EV 4 - 20 in spot metering mode), (at ISO 100 with F1.4 lens)
		Modes: Multi segment, Center weighted, Spot
		Modes: Program AE (AUTO,AUTO - Flash Off,P), Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual,
	Exposure	Scene selection (Portrait,Landscape,Macro,Sports, Sunset,Night portrait/Night view)
		Exposure compensation: +/-2 EV (in 0.3-stop increments)
		Bracketing: 3 continuous or single exposures selectable,in 0.3 or 0.7-stop increments
	Viewfinder
	Type	Fixed eye-level, penta-Dach-mirror
	Coverage	95%
	Magnification	0.74 x (with 50mm lens at infinity, -1m-1 )
	Diopter adjustment	-3.0 to +1.0 m-1
	Eye point	Approx. 20.8 mm from the eyepiece lens, approx.16.7 mm from the eyepiece frame
	Screen	Spherical Acute Matte
	LCD Monitor
	Type	2.7-inch type,TFT
	Total number of dots	230,400 dots
	Coverage	100%
	Brightness adjustment	Selectable in 5 steps

	Live View
	Type	Pentamirror tilt system
	Image sensor	Dedicated to live view
	Metering	1200-zone evaluative
	Sensitivity	EV 2 - 17 (in all metering modes, at ISO 100 with F1.4 lens)
	Coverage	90%
	Smart Teleconverter	1.4x or 2x selectable
	function
	Other functions	Histogram display, real-time image-adjustment display (exposure compensation,
		white balance, sunset / B&W in Creative Style)
	Shutter
	Type	Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane type
	Speed range	1/4000 to 30 sec., Bulb
	Flash sync speed	1/160 sec.
	Super SteadyShot® (Image Stabilization)
	Type	Image-sensor shift mechanism
	Indication	Super SteadyShot scale and Camera-shake warning in the viewfinder
	Compensation effect	Equivalent to approx. 2.5 to 3.5 steps in shutter speeds
		(varies according to shooting conditions and lens used)
	Built-in Flash
	Pop-up	Auto
	Guide number	12 (in meters at ISO 100)
	Flash coverage	18 mm (focal length printed on the lens body)
	Control	ADI, Pre-flash TTL
	Flash compensation	+/- 2 EV (in 0.3-stop increments)
	Modes	Auto (Flash-off), Auto, Fill-flash, Red-eye reduction, Rear sync, Slow sync,
		High speed sync, Wireless
	Flash bracketing	3 exposures (in 0.3/0.7-stop increments)
	Recycling time	Approx. 4 sec.
	Drive	Single, Continuous, Self-timer (10 sec. / 2 sec. delay selectable)
	Modes

Continuous shooting speed Max. 3 fps (approx.) with viewfinder, max. 2 fps (approx.) in live view mode

No. of frames recordable JPEG (L size, Fine): Until memory card is full, RAW: 6 frames, RAW+JPEG: 3 frames

Playback

		Single (with or without shooting information, with 4 previous / following images,
	Modes	RGB histogram & highlight / shadow warning), 4 / 9 / 25-frame index view,
		enlarged display mode (max. zoom - L size: 12x, M size: 9.1x, S size: 6.1x),
	Interface	Image orientation, Slideshow
	PC interface	USB2.0 Hi-Speed (mass storage, PTP)
	Video output	NTSC / PAL selectable
	Supported OS Environments
	Windows	Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional / XP Home Edition / XP Professional / Vista
		Home Basic / Vista Home Premium / Vista Ultimate / Vista Business / Vista Enterprise
	Macintosh	Mac OS X (v.10.13 or later)
	Print
	Compatible standards	Exif Print, Print Image Matching III, PictBridge
	Power	One Rechargeable Battery Pack NP-FM500H
	Power source
		* NP-FM55H for DSLR-A100 is not usable.
	Battery performance	Approx. 730 shots with viewfinder, approx. 410 shots in live view mode
		* Both measured using CIPA standard
	External power source	AC Adapter / Charger AC-VQ900AM (optional)
	Others
	Dimension (WxHxD)	Approx. 130.8 x 98.5 x 74.7 mm (5-1/4 x 4 x 3 in.) (excl. protrusions)
	Weight	Approx. 582 g (1 lb 4.5 oz) (w/o battery, memory card, accessories)
	Operating temperature	0 - 40 degrees C (32104 degrees F)

Specifications are based on the information available at the time of printing and are subject to change without notice.

Number of recordable frames based on compression, image quality and size

Image size: L

CompactFlash Card 3:2 = 10 MB / 16:9 = 8.4 MB)

512MB

1GB

2GB

4GB

8GB

Standard

166

/ 188

325

/ 370

653

/ 741

1307

/ 1484

2606

/ 2960

Fine

123

/ 141

241

/ 277

484

/ 556

969

/ 1115

1933

/ 2223

RAW + JPEG

24

/ 26

48

/ 51

98

/ 104

198

/ 210

397

/ 421

RAW

31 / 31

61

/ 61

124

/ 124

250

/ 250

500

/ 500

Image size: M

CompactFlash

Card 3:2 = 5.6 MB /

16:9 = 4.7 MB)

512MB

1GB

2GB

4GB

8GB

Standard

240

/ 267

471

/ 523

945 / 1049

1891 / 2099

3771 / 4185

Fine

185

/ 208

363

/ 409

727/ 819

1456 / 1641

2903 / 3271

Image size: S

CompactFlash

Card 3:2 = 2.5 MB /

16:9 = 2.1 MB)

512MB

1GB

2GB

4GB

8GB

Standard

329

/ 355

644

/ 696

1291

/ 1395

2584

/ 2791

5150 / 5564

Fine

268

/ 294

526

/ 577

1053 / 1155

2109

/ 2313

4203

/ 4610

Image size: M

CompactFlash Card 3:2 / 16:9 )

Smart Teleconverter at 1.4x

512MB

1GB

2GB

4GB

8GB

Standard

240

/ 267

471

/ 523

945 / 1049

1891 / 2099

3771 / 4185

Fine

185

/ 208

363

/ 409

727 / 819

1456 / 1641

2903 / 3271

Image size: S

CompactFlash

Card 3:2 / 16:9 )

Smart Teleconverter at 2x

512MB

1GB

2GB

4GB

8GB

Standard

329

/ 355

644

/ 696

1291 / 1395

2584

/ 2791

5150 / 5564

Fine

268

/ 294

526 / 577

1053

/ 1155

2109

/ 2313

4203

/ 4610

•Numeric figures show the number of frame recordable with 3:2 / 16:9 aspect ratio.

•Optional "Memory Stick Duo Adapter for CompactFlash Slot AD-MSCF1" is necessary for use with Memory Stick Duo.

•Number of recordable frames may vary depending on the subjects and other shooting conditions.

	Image size: L		Memory Stick Duo 3:2 = 10 MB / 16:9 = 8.4 MB)
		512MB	1GB		2GB	4GB	8GB
	Standard	154 / 175	316 / 359		649 / 737	1283 / 1457	2575 / 2924
	Fine	114 / 131	234 / 269		481 / 553	952 / 1094	1910 / 2196
	RAW + JPEG	22 / 24	47	/ 50	145 / 104	146 / 206	392 / 416
	RAW	28 / 28	60	/ 60	124 / 124	246 / 246	494 / 494
	Image size: M		Memory Stick		Duo 3:2 = 5.6 MB / 16:9 = 4.7 MB)
		512MB	1GB		2GB	4GB	8GB
	Standard	223 / 248	457	/ 508	939 / 1042	1857 / 2061	3726 / 4135
	Fine	172 / 194	352	/ 397	723 / 814	1430 / 1611	2869 / 3232
	Image size: S		Memory Stick Duo 3:2 = 2.5 MB / 16:9 = 2.1 MB)
		512MB	1GB		2GB	4GB	8GB
	Standard	306 / 330	625	/ 675	1283 / 1386	2537/ 2740	5089 / 5498
	Fine	249 / 273	510	/ 559	1047 / 1148	2070 / 2270	4153 / 4555
	Image size: M		Memory Stick		Duo 3:2 / 16:9 )
	Smart Teleconverter at 1.4x	512MB	1GB		2GB	4GB	8GB
	Standard	223 / 248	457 / 508		939 / 1042	1857 / 2061	3726 / 4135
	Fine	172 / 194	352 / 397		723 / 814	1430 / 1611	2869 / 3232
	Image size: S		Memory Stick		Duo 3:2 / 16:9 )
	Smart Teleconverter at 2x	512MB	1GB		2GB	4GB	8GB
	Standard	306 / 330	625 / 675		1283 / 1386	2537 / 2740	5089 / 5498
	Fine	249 / 273	510 / 559		1047 / 1148	2070 / 2270	4153 / 4555

System requirements of bundled software

Image Data Converter SR ver. 2.0

Image Data Lightbox SR ver. 1.0

Picture Motion Browser Ver. 2.1.02

Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP4 / Windows XP*SP2 /

Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP4 / Windows XP*SP2 /

Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP4 /

Windows Vista*, Mac OS X (v. 10.4) or later

Windows Vista*, Mac OS X (v. 10.4) or later

Windows XP* SP2 / Windows Vista*

* 64-bit editions and Starter (Edition) are not supported.

Note: Factory pre-installed. We do not guarantee proper operation in the upgraded environment of the OS stated above.

Trademarks & Remarks

* is a trademark of Sony Corporation.

* Bionz

, Bravia

, Super SteadyShot, InfoLITHIUM

, Memory Stick

, Memory Stick PRO

, Memory Stick Duo

,

Memory Stick PRO Duo , and Memory Stick PRO-HG Duoare registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Corporation. * Microsoft, Windows, and Windows Vista DirectX are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

*Macintosh, Mac OS, iMac, iBook, PowerBook, Power Mac, and eMac are trademarks or registered trademarks of Apple Inc.

*CompactFlash is a registered trademark of SanDisk Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

*Microdrive is a registered trademark of Hitachi Global Storage Technologies in the United States and/or other countries.

*Adobe is a registered trademark or a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries

*D-Range Optimizer Advanced uses technology provided by Apical Limited

*All other company and product names mentioned herein are used for identification purposes only and may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

* The InfoLITHIUM	is a lithium battery pack which can exchange data with compatible electronic equipment about its energy consumption.		Printed in Japan
Sony recommends that you use the battery pack with electronic equipment that have the		mark.

Monitor images are simulated.

Digital SLR Camera

Images of beauty for everyone

When shooting becomes a dialogue

A new level of shooting freedom makes SLR photography easier and more fun than ever

The300 is an exciting new digital SLR that gives you unprecedented freedom in where and how you shoot. Featuring revolutionary Quick AF Live View — an industry rst that lets you frame your subject in the camera's LCD monitor without sacri cing the speed and accuracy of SLR-class TTL (Through-The-Lens) autofocusing — the300 frees you from having to look through the optical view nder when you shoot, so you can remain face to face with your subjects and talk to them to put them at ease.

To assure superb image quality, the300 couples the high-resolution imaging power of a 10.2-megapixel CCD sensor with Sony's exclusive BIONZ image processing engine. And to help prevent blurring caused by camera shake, it features built-in Super SteadyShot® image stabilization that works with anysystem lens. With outstanding quality and the freedom of live view shooting,300 is an SLR camera that lets you capture beautiful images with conversational ease.

DT18-70mm F3.5-5.6 (SAL1870), P mode (1/1000 sec., F6.3), ISO 100, Auto white balance

Freestyle

shooting.

Set your creativity free with

Quick AF Live View freestyle shooting

Unlike previous systems that required a tradeo in autofocusing performance, there's no compromise with the300's Quick AF Live View. Instead, you get full SLR functionality and image quality, plus the ability to shoot easily and comfortably from angles and positions you never could before. So you can take advantage of more spur-of- the-moment photo opportunities, and capture more of the magic moments that SLR photography is all about.

Low-position shooting comfort

Thanks to the300's Quick AF Live View and variableangle Clear Photo LCD monitor, low-position shooting is incredibly easy. With the monitor angled upward, you can maintain a comfortable posture and frame your subject correctly even when taking dramatic, low-position sports photos like the one below. Low-position live view shooting is also great for macro close-ups of owers, and eye-level portraits of children or pets. It's even helpful on regular portraits because you can hold the camera at waist level and maintain a dialogue with your subjects to ensure a more natural expression.

DT18-70mm F3.5-5.6 (SAL1870), P mode (1/100 sec., F8), ISO 100, Auto white balance

High-position shooting ease

The 300's variable-angle Clear Photo LCD monitor makes it easy to maximize the shooting freedom o ered by Quick AF Live View. For high-position shots, the monitor can be angled downward, enabling you to frame your subject accurately even with the camera held at arm's length above you. As a result, you can take well-composed photos at sports events, concerts, and other public venues even when you need to shoot over the heads of a crowd. Or you might just nd it's the perfect way to capture the excitement of young footballers as they huddle to discuss

their game plan!

DT 55-200mm F4-5.6 (SAL55200), Sports action mode (1/500 sec., F5.6), ISO 100, Auto white balance

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