Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T300 gets reviewed

We briefly got our hands on Sony's DSC-T300 digital camera (along with a bevy of other Cyber-shots) back at PMA earlier this year, but the folks at Digital Photography Review have now come through with a thorough review of the camera which, among other things, is particularly notable for its use of touchscreen controls. On that important point, they found the controls "generally pleasant to use," aided in no small part by the "largest possible screen for a camera of its size" (3.5 inches). They were also particularly impressed with the Cyber-shot's "small, smart design" and its impressive 5x optical zoom. It's not all good news, however, with the camera also boasting what Digital Photography Review describes as "terrible battery life," as well as "over-enthusiastic reds," and a noise-reduction feature that not only eliminates noise but reduces image quality no matter what the setting. Some pretty big trade offs, to be sure, but apparently not enough to keep it from getting an above average rating.

[Smart People Play Tuba @ Mar 26th 2008 3:06PM]

Memory stick? Forget it.

[Jake @ Mar 26th 2008 5:01PM]

What's wrong with the MS? [other than cost, capacity and proprietary... er proprietari... the fact that they only work in Sonys]

[nDee @ Mar 27th 2008 1:49AM]

the only problem is the price.

[Deluxe @ Mar 27th 2008 5:35AM]

Game Cartridge? Hell Yeah!

Double standard much?

[Adam Reiniger @ Mar 26th 2008 3:07PM]

But will it take as nice photos as my D-SLR?
...
go on, admit it. you thought i was gonna ask if it will blend.

[holycow @ Mar 26th 2008 3:21PM]

No, I did not think of that!

[tokyo_suicide @ Mar 26th 2008 4:37PM]

Idiot.

[Adam Reiniger @ Mar 26th 2008 5:53PM]

Tokyo, it was actually a joke. YOu don't have to take it seriously.

[gjp303 @ Mar 26th 2008 9:18PM]

ur jokes suck dood

[Kris S. @ Mar 26th 2008 3:25PM]

I want that damn site to start reviewing some DSLR's not P&S's.

[Shaocaholica @ Mar 26th 2008 4:46PM]

They review plenty of DSLRs. Besides, its not a good habit to get so dependent on DPR. While their process is very thorough, chances are, by the time they get around to the camera you want, you can piece together enough info from other reviews and forum posts to already come to a conclusion.

[TheChris @ Mar 26th 2008 4:14PM]

gosh....my DSC-P32 is a brick compared to this... =[

[jeremy @ Mar 26th 2008 4:17PM]

cool beans

[Tek B. Lang @ Mar 26th 2008 5:07PM]

Why don't we punish POS Sony. I have a v1 (600US) that they don't want take for repair even thoug they know it had a manufacturing flaw. I e-mailed them numerous times.

Sony Here's my cell phone [phone] You piece of Crap Blue Ray monopolistic bribing POS

[caleb @ Mar 26th 2008 5:27PM]

Remind me again - How is posting your cell phone number on the internet going to punish Sony?

[max654000 @ Mar 26th 2008 5:24PM]

Good 3.5 screen...but not so good for the battery..if they can have it fix, i believe it'd sell!

[pscs @ Mar 26th 2008 5:47PM]

I have the T-70 not T-300. When I bought it the shop guy said the only difference was the 3/5x zoom and the screen size. T-300 was also slightly more expensive. He showed me that the interface and the battery are all interchangeable between the T-70, T-300 and another brightly coloured one (can't remember its model number). So therefore, obviously the battery life of the T-300 will be worse than the other 2.

Great camera I must say, I use it along with my sony DSLR.

[Adam Reiniger @ Mar 26th 2008 5:53PM]

I ... well, I have a very beautiful D-SLR, Nikon. I can never imagine actually using a point-and-shoot camera again. I know they have their advantages, but the power my DSLR gives me far outweighs those.

[wslcrew @ Mar 26th 2008 7:39PM]

Problem with DSLR is, even though the image quality is far better than any other P&S, it's quite difficult to live with. I cannot bring my DSLR to bars or friends' parties, not just because it's size and weight, but also I have invested $2-3k on body+lenses and cannot afford to lose it if I get drunk :)

[Adam Reiniger @ Mar 27th 2008 6:49AM]

OK, fair enough, a DSLR could be a bit of an issue in a pub when you are intoxicated, in which case, yes a P&S will be far better. But I would imagine that a camera like this would not be cheap (looking on the 'net, it's going for 240 pounds-ish), so you'd feel pretty stupid losing something like this, too.

[antitrust311 @ Mar 26th 2008 6:28PM]

ZZZzzzzzz, they have had this camera out here in Japan for years already. My friend Yuki has one. It doesn't take very good pictures but the touch screen is pretty cool.

[nDee @ Mar 27th 2008 1:52AM]

That reminds me that Japanese has decent cams on their phone, like that Exilim phone with 5.1 MP and anti-shake DSP.
Why is n93 so expensive?

[BrianC64 @ Mar 26th 2008 7:15PM]

I had just bought this camera as a gift from Abe's Of Maine the other day. When I was checking out the salesperson informed me that the stock battery that ships with the unit is what Sony calls a "Starter Battery" you have the buy an extra one for a nominal fee of $50. According to him the starter battery has a life of 45 minutes where the standalone is around 3 hours. Sony Sucks!

[FBM @ Mar 26th 2008 8:28PM]

the information that you had recieved is incorrect they are the same battery just different model from what you buy off the shelf.

[JasonK @ Mar 26th 2008 11:46PM]

ROFL @ BRIANC64

you just got pwned by those sleazy tele-salesmen at abes. all those mail order places are the same. they have good prices on the products but try to G you on the accessories.

[BrianC64 @ Mar 26th 2008 11:54PM]

I didn't fall for it. I just bought the camera itself.

[mark @ Mar 26th 2008 10:16PM]

Looks great for casual pix.

[Greg Baz @ Mar 27th 2008 11:16AM]

Wow what great features this device has. To bad it takes terrible pictures. Doesn't that defeat the purpose of a camera. When it comes to cameras the bigger the lens (the size of the glass not the zoom) ant the better the quality of the glass the better the picture. Small fashion cameras are junk. Get a cannon rebel and invest in a good f2.8 lens and your pictures will look so much better.

[ThOneandonly @ Mar 27th 2008 11:27PM]

NO JOKE
i allready have this camera 10.4mp black all the way from tokyo costed me $550 from Laox

[CarlosL @ May 22nd 2008 7:42PM]

Come on people, lets just give honest comments about the DSC T300 not about other cameras, I am about to buy one T300?? so finally what do you guys think? worth it?
I have heard about the battery, is that the only problem.
I was thinking about getting the Cybeer shot W170 but there are no Housings for the model yet.

Comment pleasee... help!!!
Thanks

[Pat @ Jul 15th 2008 11:52PM]

I got a DSC-T300 as a b-day gift -- worked great for a couple of weeks. Then starting receiving E:61:10 error messages. Not much help from Sony -- it was a recurring problem -- now I have to send it back. Great --- can't even find help/support on-line -- no one on the Sony HelpDesk has a clue -- what's the chance of a $400 paperweight getting fixed?

Any one else having trouble with this camera?

[Susan Stacey @ Aug 25th 2008 3:57PM]

We bought this camera in St. Thomas for $430. We were impressed at first, until the finger prints etc. started to appear all over the touch screen. I thought that this screen should have some protection from the elements. Even with a case and two careful adults handling it, the screen has a small crack. Yes you can take pictures, but you cannot see what you are taking..... GREAT!! This will cost over $250 to replace.

[Francie Rule @ Jan 16th 2009 6:01PM]

Just sent in a Sony DSC-300 under warranty back for repair and Sony said that the camera isn't covered because the damage is corrosion. Well the camera is less than 60 days old and has never been in water or near water. I guess I have one of those $400 paperweights also. They want $182 to fix it....I haven't even paid it off on my credit card. This is my second one of these. The other works OK but the battery life sucks and red eyes are there no matter what you do. I won't buy another Sony.