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According to Sony, the new camera will come with other features such as the Bionz image processing engine, SteadyShot, D-Range Optimiser, high ISO setting of up to 3200, anti-dust protection system, and an battery life of up to 730 shots on a single charge.

Sony Australia's Business Development Manager for the Digital SLR Division, John Wallace said, "Incorporating the extremely popular Auto Focus Live View that has been highly successful on the A350, the A300 makes it easy for digital still camera users to promote themselves to D-SLR and get better results from their digital photography. Liveview enables users to see what is happening through the lens using the LCD display on the back of the camera, just like a Cybershot compact. Quick AF Liveview means there is not the delay in shooting associated with other Liveview systems."

The A300 is also a ‘green' camera, with the company utilising a renewable polyamide 11, a vegetable-based plastic derived from castor oil, for its body cap. Increased use of vegetable-based plastics can lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and saving of crude oil resources, says Sony.

Other features of the A300:

• Long battery life up to approximately 730 shots on a single full charge using the optical viewfinder 
• Built-in auto pop-up flash 
• Continuous shooting up to 3 fps in optical viewfinder mode; 2 fps in live view mode. 
• Scene selection modes 
• Creative Style settings 
• Camera function display with frequently used menu list can be called up by pressing the Function button. 
• Optional vertical grip VG-B30AM for easy and comfortable capture of vertically-oriented photos. 
• Quality picture viewing on a full high definition TV when used with compatible peripherals.

Pricing and Availability:

The Sony A300 will be available in August with an RRP of $999 (DSLR A300 body & DT 18-70 lens) or $1,149 (DSLR A300 body DT 18-70 & 55-200mm lenses).

See: www.sony.com.au