Cyber-shot DSC-W300

Released 2008

A thirteen-megapixel compact with a titanium-coated steel body, stabilised 35–105 mm equivalent zoom and manual exposure.

Type: Compact
Sensor: 1/1.7-type
Megapixels: 13.6
Lens: 35–105 mm equivalent
Video: 640 × 480 at 30 fps
Body weight: 156 g

What reviewers say

Both reviews praised the durable body, stabilisation and noise control, while noting the limited zoom range and slow responses. Les Numériques found detailed images and accurate colours, but criticised low-light autofocus and confusing menus. PhotographyBlog was less impressed by sharpness and default saturation, while finding the controls approachable and the screen bright.

From lesnumeriques.com and photographyblog.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Image and sensor

Camera type: Compact
Sensor format: 1/1.7-type
Sensor type: Super HAD CCD
Effective resolution: 13.6 MP
Largest image: 4224 × 3168
RAW recording: No
Standard ISO range: 80–3200
Sensor detail: 1/1.7-type primary-colour Super HAD CCD, approximately 13.6 million effective and 13.9 million total photosites; optical format is not physical dimensions
Image formats: JPEG, maximum 4224 × 3168 pixels; 4224 × 2816 in 3:2 or 4224 × 2376/1920 × 1080 in 16:9
ISO detail: Auto or ISO80–3200 at full resolution; EX High Sensitivity extends to ISO6400 at reduced 3-megapixel resolution
Image processor: BIONZ with standard and Plus D-range optimisation; Clear RAW NR and adjustable noise-reduction levels; photographs recorded as JPEG rather than RAW

Lens and shooting

Built-in lens: 35–105 mm equivalent
Maximum aperture: f/2.8–5.5
Optical zoom: 3×
Stabilisation: Optical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst: 1.9 fps
Lens detail: Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar, actual 7.6–22.8 mm, equivalent to 35–105 mm; six elements in five groups including three aspherical elements. Optional conversion lenses or 37 mm filters require VAD-WF adapter
Autofocus: Nine-area Multipoint, centre or spot AF with illuminator; semi-manual presets 0.5/1/3/7 m or infinity. Auto/macro focus approximately 5 cm wide or 34 cm telephoto. Face detection for up to eight people with child/adult priority and Smile Shutter
Shutter: Auto approximately 1/4–1/2000 second; Program 1–1/2000 second; Manual 30–1/1000 second
Burst detail: Full-resolution continuous shooting approximately 1.9 fps (Les Numériques exact-model test; maker archive gives up to 100 frames at all sizes). Maker EX High-Speed mode reaches 5 fps only at reduced 3-megapixel resolution; flash slows shooting
Stabilisation detail: Optical Super SteadyShot with Shooting or Continuous modes
Flash: Built-in flash with Auto, forced, off, slow-sync and red-eye reduction; ISO Auto range approximately 0.2–5.5 m wide or 0.4–2.8 m telephoto
Exposure controls: Auto, Easy, Program, Manual and scene selections; ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps and exposure bracketing. One-push custom white balance; iSCN recognises five scene types, Advanced mode can take a second photograph using optimised settings

Video

Highest video resolution: 640 × 480 at 30 fps
Video detail: MPEG Movie VX Fine 640 × 480 at approximately 30 fps requires Memory Stick PRO Duo; Standard approximately 17 fps or Presentation 320 × 240 approximately 8 fps. Manual limits continuous movies to approximately ten minutes; no HD movie recording or playback
Audio: MPEG1 mono movie sound; built-in mono microphone and speaker

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: Optical
Screen size: 2.7″
Screen dots: 230,400
Touchscreen: No
Tilting screen: No
Display detail: Fixed 2.7-type Clear Photo TFT LCD, 230400 dots; optical zoom viewfinder

Connections and design

Battery life (maker's claim): 300 photographs
Body weight: 156 g
Release detail: Released in 2008. Sony Hong Kong scheduled availability for the end of April 2008, Sony US scheduled May shipping and Sony Japan specified 16 May. These launch announcements do not confirm the actual first retail month
Recording media: Approximately 15 MB internal memory; Memory Stick Duo, PRO Duo or PRO-HG Duo. No SD card slot
Ports: Multi-use connector for USB 2.0 Hi-Speed and mono AV output; HD component still-photo output requires optional cable or HD Cyber-shot Station cradle, rather than an HDMI socket
Battery life detail: Supplied NP-BG1, 3.4 Wh/960 mAh; optional NP-FG1 supported. Manual CIPA claim approximately 300 photographs/150 minutes with LCD on or 340/170 minutes off at 25°C, Normal recording, Single AF, Shooting stabilisation, alternating zoom ends, one shot every 30 seconds, flash every second shot and power cycle every ten
Charging: External BC-CSGB/BC-CSGC charger, approximately 330 minutes full charge or 270 minutes normal charge at 25°C; optional AC-LS5K adapter
Dimensions: 94.3 × 59 × 26.8 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions
Weight detail: 156 g body-only in Sony Japan specifications; approximately 187 g including NP-BG1, Memory Stick Duo and supplied accessories
Materials: Stainless-steel body with titanium coating
Colours: Titanium grey
In the box: NP-BG1, external battery charger, multi-use USB/AV cable, wrist strap, software/handbook CD-ROM and instructions; memory card not supplied

Pros and cons

Pros

Optical lens stabilisation
Manual exposure and custom white balance
Optical viewfinder alongside the screen

Cons

No RAW recording
No HD movie recording
HD still-photo output requires optional accessories

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyCyber-shot DSC-W200	Compact	1/1.7-type	12.1	35–105 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 30 fps	142 g	May 2007
SonyCyber-shot DSC-H10	Compact	Other	8.1	38–380 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 30 fps	264 g	2008
SonyCyber-shot DSC-S730	Compact	Other	7.2	35–105 mm equivalent	320 × 240 at 30 fps	140 g	Jan 2008

Sources

Photo: Sony Japan exact DSC-W300 product photograph; complete supplied canvas retained without enlargement or generated product pixels

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W300, straight front with lens extended: Sony Japan, exact DSC-W300 archive gallery or feature section; largest published original
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W300, rear display and controls: Sony Japan, exact DSC-W300 archive gallery or feature section; largest published original
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W300, rear mode dial and navigation controls detail: Sony Japan, exact DSC-W300 archive gallery or feature section; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W300, front casing, branding and flash detail: Sony Japan, exact DSC-W300 archive gallery or feature section; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W300, titanium casing and Cyber-shot branding detail: Sony Japan, exact DSC-W300 archive gallery or feature section; largest published original
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W300, mode dial detail: Sony Japan, exact DSC-W300 archive gallery or feature section; largest published original
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W300, top shutter edge and front casing detail: Sony Japan, exact DSC-W300 archive gallery or feature section; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W300 lens and front casing close-up, complete published hardware crop: sony.jp/products/picture/DSC-W300_021.jpg
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W300 angled rear display showing landscape artwork: Sony
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W300 with optional lenses, filters and carrying pouch: Sony
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W300 rear display showing a portrait: Sony
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W300 beside a television in an official home viewing scene: Sony
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W300 connected to a television displaying a photograph: Sony
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W300 rear view held in a hand: Sony
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W300 with optional lenses, filters and accessory case: Sony

Spot a mistake? Tell us