The Sony H300 Review: A Solid Camera for Photographers on a Budget

YBLTV Cary Nickerson Review: The Sony H300.

YBLTV Cary Nickerson Review: The Sony H300.

8 Total Score
Sony H300

The Sony H300 is perfect for vacations, special events, straightforward video shoots, and other activities where you don’t need a film crew on hand.

PROS
  • 20 megapixels
  • 35X Optical Zoom
  • Very affordable price point for a Sony product
  • Panorama functionality
  • 30 frames-per-second 720p video
CONS
  • Somewhat slow CCD image sensor
  • No WiFi support
  • No touch screen
  • No viewfinder
  • Lacks external flash connectivity
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YBLTV Review: The Sony H300

These days, people love taking pictures. Odds are you’re familiar with more than one amateur self-styled photographer who specializes in pictures of their cats. And fortunately for them, there are cameras like the Sony
H300.

At a price always under $200 (and as low as $179 in some stores), this camera from 2014 is most definitely one of the most affordable of its kind on the market right now.

The device itself benefits from its somewhat ergonomic DSLR-style design. Instead of the typical blocky and boring design of other budget digital cameras, this one really looks professional. With this camera hanging around your neck, no one would question your ability to take a fine photograph.

“This camera is perfect for vacations, special events, straightforward video shoots, and other activities where you don’t need a film crew on hand,” - Cary Nickerson, YBLTV Writer / Reviewer / Photographer

In fact, many of your pictures will appear indistinguishable from those taken with a high-dollar device. The H300 has a higher megapixel count than some of the comparable yet more expensive devices sitting on the same shelves. It even has a variety of picture modes that remove blemishes, smooth facial features, and enhance many aspects of your images all from the LCD display.

For those budding YouTube stars out there, you might use the H300 to record videos for your channels that will look great on a computer screen. Your videos will benefit from Sony’s Optical SteadyShot image stabilization. Its Intelligent Active mode helps to stabilize your recordings even if you’re on the move. And while the maximum of 720p recording quality isn’t quite as desirable as the industry standard 1080p for HD video, with a tripod and the right lighting, the camera will serve your purposes just fine.

Sure, the Sony H300 is not the quintessential modern camera. In fact, for anyone who has extensive experience with the more pricey DSLR cameras, some elements of this camera might be a little disappointing. Personally, though, I don’t think that’s who Sony created this camera for.

So, if what you value most when it comes to amateur photography is affordability, you might get a lot out of the Sony H300.