The α300 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 first that lets you frame your subject in the camera's LCD monitor without sacrificing the speed and accuracy of SLR-class TTL (Through-The-Lens) autofocusing — the α300 frees you from having to look through the optical viewfinder 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, the α300 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 any α system lens. With outstanding quality and the freedom of live view shooting, α300 is an SLR camera that lets you capture beautiful images with optimum ease.

In a significant breakthrough in digital SLR camera design, a unique Sony-developed pentamirror tilt mechanism enables true TTL (Through-The-Lens) phase-detection autofocusing during live view operation. So whether you frame your subject in the optical viewfinder or the LCD monitor, you enjoy the benefits of a fast, accurate TTL center-cross 9-point autofocus system with continuous autofocusing to help you capture fast-moving subjects.

The variable-angle Clear Photo LCD monitor can be tilted upward by up to 130° or downward by up to 40° for easy high- and low-position shooting.

Unlike previous systems that required a tradeoff in autofocusing performance, there's no compromise with the α300'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 that were previously impossible. 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.

The α300's variable-angle Clear Photo LCD monitor makes it easy to maximize the shooting freedom offered 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 find it's the perfect way to capture the excitement of young footballers as they huddle to discuss their game plan!

Thanks to the α300's Quick AF Live View and variable-angle 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 above. Low-position live view shooting is also great for macro close-ups of flowers, 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.

Live view even lets you confirm the effects of exposure and white balance adjustments on the Clear Photo LCD monitor in real time — something that is impossible to do with an optical viewfinder.

During live view shooting, you can press the Smart Teleconverter button on the back of the camera to instantly apply zoom scaling that achieves the effective equivalent of 1.4x or 2x magnification. There's no reduction in image quality because only the size of the image area is reduced, so even 2x images can be turned into great-looking prints.