Cyber-shot DSC-HX300

Released March 2013

A 50× bridge camera with a 24–1200 mm equivalent Zeiss lens, optical stabilisation, manual exposure and a tilting screen.

Type: Bridge
Sensor: 1/2.3-type
Megapixels: 20.4
Lens: 24–1200 mm equivalent
Video: 1920 × 1080 at 60 fps
Body weight: 623 g

What reviewers say

Photography Blog and ePHOTOzine praised the long zoom and optical stabilisation, but criticised the lack of RAW and noise at higher sensitivities. Photography Blog considered the viewfinder resolution and launch value disappointing, while ePHOTOzine was more positive about image quality and handling. ePHOTOzine could not reproduce the maker's full 10 fps burst claim.

From photographyblog.com and ephotozine.com

Product links

Manufacturer’s product page

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Image and sensor

Camera type: Bridge
Sensor format: 1/2.3-type
Sensor type: Back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS
Effective resolution: 20.4 MP
Largest image: 5184 × 3888
RAW recording: No
Standard ISO range: 80–3200
Sensor detail: 1/2.3-type Exmor R CMOS; approximately 21.1 million total and 20.4 million effective photosites. Optical format is distinct from physical sensor dimensions
Image formats: JPEG stills and MPF 3D stills; no RAW. High-resolution Sweep Panorama uses stitched output distinct from single-frame resolution
ISO detail: Ordinary single-frame ISO 80–3200; ISO 4000–12800 uses Clear Image technology and multi-frame compositing
Image processor: BIONZ

Lens and shooting

Built-in lens: 24–1200 mm equivalent
Maximum aperture: f/2.8–6.3
Optical zoom: 50×
Stabilisation: Optical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst: 10 fps
Lens detail: Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T*, actual 4.3–215 mm; 15 elements in 10 groups with one Super ED, two ED and three aspherical elements, seven-blade iris. Equivalent 24–1200 mm applies to 4:3 stills; 16:9 stills use 26–1300 mm. Movie field of view changes with aspect ratio and stabilisation mode. Clear Image Zoom and digital zoom are distinct from 50× optical zoom
Autofocus: Nine-point multi AF, centre, spot and flexible spot; manual focus, subject and face tracking. Minimum AF distance from lens front approximately 1 cm wide or 240 cm telephoto
Shutter: Mechanical shutter; Manual and shutter priority 30–1/4000 second, aperture priority 8–1/2000, Program 1–1/4000 and Intelligent Auto 4–1/4000
Burst detail: Maker maximum approximately 10 fps at full resolution for up to ten images; shooting mode and flash affect speed. ePHOTOzine's test did not reach 10 fps
Stabilisation detail: Optical SteadyShot with dual-group lens correction; Active movie mode adds electronic correction including rotation and changes field of view
Flash: Built-in flash; ISO Auto range approximately 0.5–8.5 m wide or 2.4–3.5 m telephoto. No external flash shoe
Exposure controls: Program, aperture priority, shutter priority and Manual plus memory recall and automatic/scene modes; multi-pattern, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps

Video

Highest video resolution: 1920 × 1080 at 60 fps
Video detail: AVCHD 2.0 Full HD 1920 × 1080 at 60p in Japan or 50p in the UK, 28 Mbps; interlaced 60i/50i modes count fields rather than progressive frames. Japanese MP4 includes 1440 × 1080, 1280 × 720 and VGA at 30 fps; UK specification lists 25 fps. Optical zoom available during recording. Single-clip limit approximately 29 minutes; MP4 12M approximately 15 minutes owing to 2 GB limit

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: Electronic
Screen size: 3″
Screen dots: 921,600
Touchscreen: No
Tilting screen: Yes
Display detail: 3.0-type Xtra Fine TFT LCD with 921600 dots on Sony UK support specification; Sony Japan rounds to approximately 921000. Tilts up and down, without touch input
Viewfinder detail: 0.2-type electronic finder, approximately 201000-dot equivalent resolution. Manual LCD/finder switching; no automatic eye sensor

Connections and design

Wi-Fi: No
Battery life (maker's claim): 310 photographs
Body weight: 623 g
Release detail: Sony Japan's 27 February 2013 announcement gives local sale on 8 March 2013; Hong Kong's 1 March notice states mid-March availability. March precision retained without claiming an international first day
Recording media: Approximately 48 MB internal memory; Memory Stick Duo, PRO Duo, PRO-HG Duo and XC-HG Duo plus SD/SDHC/SDXC. Micro versions require separate adapters
Ports: Multi terminal, Hi-Speed USB 2.0 and micro HDMI
Wireless connections: No built-in Wi-Fi or GPS; maker supports compatible Eye-Fi cards separately
Battery life detail: NP-BX1; maker CIPA approximately 310 photographs with LCD or 400 with EVF. Actual movie-shooting battery claim approximately 50 minutes LCD or 55 minutes EVF, distinct from single-clip limit
Charging: USB battery charging; shooting power supply requires optional AC-UD10 adapter
Dimensions: Approximately 129.6 × 93.2 × 114.8 mm width × height × depth, or 103.2 mm depth measured from lens front to rear monitor
Weight detail: Approximately 623 g body only or 650 g including NP-BX1 and Memory Stick Duo
Colours: Black
In the box: NP-BX1 battery, AC-UB10 family adapter, micro USB cable, shoulder strap, lens cap and instructions; regional mains fittings vary

Pros and cons

Pros

24–1200 mm equivalent optical zoom
Manual exposure and focus or zoom ring
Tilting screen and electronic viewfinder

Cons

No RAW still recording
No built-in Wi-Fi or GPS
Full-speed bursts stop after ten photographs

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyCyber-shot DSC-H200	Bridge	1/2.3-type	20.1	22.3–580 mm equivalent	1280 × 720 at 30 fps	430 g	2013
SonyCyber-shot DSC-H400	Bridge	1/2.3-type	20.1	24.5–1550 mm equivalent	1280 × 720 at 30 fps	628 g	2014
SonyCyber-shot DSC-HX200V	Bridge	1/2.3-type	18.2	27–810 mm equivalent	1920 × 1080 at 60 fps	531 g	Mar 2012

Sources

Photo: sony.jp

HX300 rear view: Sony
HX300 straight-on front view: Sony
HX300 with optional fitted case: Sony

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