Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 Review: The Ultimate Camera for Photography Enthusiasts

Looking for a camera that offers advanced features and takes stunning pictures? The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 might be just what you need! This camera is packed with features like 50x optical zoom, 20.4-megapixel sensor, and full HD video recording, making it perfect for capturing every moment with precision and clarity. The DSC-HX300 is a popular choice among professional photographers and a favorite among beginners.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 article cover photo

Key Features

Feb 20 2013

Announced

20 megapixels

Resolution

BrandSony
Sensor Type1/2.3-inch
SensorBSI-CMOS
Weight623g
MSRP$499USD

Other similar cameras

Overview of the Cyber-shot DSC-HX300

When it comes to photography, having a reliable and powerful camera is essential. And the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 is definitely one of the best cameras for photography enthusiasts. It is a versatile camera with a 50x optical zoom lens and Exmor R CMOS sensor that allows capturing even the most distant objects in detail. Additionally, the DSC-HX300 comes with other exciting features like a high-resolution tilt screen, superior autofocus, and excellent image stabilization. In this article, we will take a closer look at this camera and discuss the benefits of owning a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

50x optical zoom
20.4 megapixel sensor
Full HD video recording
Optical SteadyShot image stabilization
Wide aperture
Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC
360-degree panorama shooting
Fast autofocus
Manual control options
Good low-light performance

Cons

No touch screen
Heavy and bulky
Slow continuous shooting
Limited battery life
No external microphone input
No 4K video recording
No RAW shooting mode
Limited low-light autofocus performance
No built-in GPS.

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300

Weather sealed
Dimensions130 x 103 x 93 mmmm
Weight623g
Thicknessnullmm
Weight
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Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderElectronic
Screen TypeTilting
Screen Resolution921k dots
Body typeSLR-like (bridge)

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a tilting 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 921k dots. This makes the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 includes a electronic viewfinder with n/a of resolution with a coverage of n/a and a magnification of n/a. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 has a 20MP sized BSI-CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 20 pixels. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 has a native ISO range of 80 - 12800 which can be boosted to null - null.

Key Features

Feb 20 2013

Announced

80 - 12800

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3-inch
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution5184 x 3888 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: 1/2.3-inch

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

Storage
Battery Life
Battery Model
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 supports undefined with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 uses the undefined model of undefined. This is rated for undefined shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. However it lacks an external flash shoe, which limits you to using the built-in flash.

Shutter

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with 9 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300?

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 features a BSI-CMOS sensor

Is the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 weather sealed?

No the Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 announced?

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 was announced on Feb 20 2013

Does the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300?

The Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 has a native ISO range of 80-12800, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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