The Best Digital Camera

Sony premiered the Cyber-shot DSC-T300 at PMA 2008 in Las Vegas. As the successor to the ultra-compact T200 point-and-shoot, the T300 maintains touch screen abilities and sleek design. The 10.1-megapixel Sony camera caters to repeat digital camera buyers looking for more advanced features in a super small camera. The T300 updates Sony’s face detection system with a new Child and Adult Priority mode, more picture effects, and new image management functions. The camera will retail for $399 when it ships in March. Read on for a first impressions review of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T300.
Overall ImpressionsValue
At the same original retail price as the T200, the Cyber-shot DSC T300 retails for $399. That’s not inexpensive for a digital camera, since budget point-and-shooters retail for as low as $150 new. But gadget lovers will shell out the big bucks for its thin body, touch screen abilities, HD output, face detection system that actually works, and built-in editing tools. It certainly is one of more feature-rich point-and-shoots we’ve seen, but it comes at a price.
Who’s this Camera For?

• Point and Shooters – The T300 is geared toward advanced point-and-shooters who are likely upgrading from an existing digital camera. New beginners can use the camera too, but might be overwhelmed by the number of menu items.
• Budget Consumers – Not so much. At nearly $400, the camera is on the higher scale of point-and-shoot cameras.
• Gadget Freaks – The camera is absolutely geared for techno socialites - think the same demographic as iPhone users.
• Manual Control Freaks – The Cyber-shot T300 doesn’t have enough manual control that this segment craves.
• Pros / Serious Amateurs – Professionals tend to go for SLRs with PASM modes. The T300 may be considered by a serious shooter as a backup fun camera or gift, but there is no way it's going to replace an SLR.
  
  
  

Summary

Likes

• Attractive, ultra-thin design
• 3.5-inch touch screen LCD
• Easy-to-read icon and text based menu system
• Plenty of fun Retouch editing tools
• Movie zoom possible
• Face detection really improved
• Easy all-in-one connection cable
• HD Output support

Dislikes

• Poor lens placement
• Difficult zoom control
• Complicated navigation
• Little handling support
• Need for additional HD dock or cable for high definition support

As the replacement to the T200, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T300 brings with it improvements on existing technologies. This evolutionary camera follows the T200 and the T100, which won the DigitalCameraInfo.com 2007 Select Award for Best Ultra-Thin Camera. The 10.1-megapixel camera has some impressive features that will win over advanced point-and-shooters who are upgrading from an existing, lackluster camera they already own. The camera carries over from its predecessors a 5x optical zoom lens with image stabilization and touch screen LCD. The camera improves autofocus, including face detection and post-capture editing. The camera looks beyond just the shooting process; the T300 makes advancements in what you do after you take the pictures with editing and sharing.