Given its touch screen design, the Sony DCR-SR300 suits the casual shooters, who will mostly stick with the camera’s Easy mode.  If you’d prefer a hard-drive-based camcorder instead of a tape- or mini-DVD-based one, then this model is good for you.

They won’t call the Sony DCR-SR300 a Handycam for no reason.  It is easy to use, has reliable hard drive plus it doesn’t require any additional media to record because its 40GB disk space is roomy enough.  Many point-and-shooters, budget consumers or serious hobbyists will appreciate the fact that Sony offers its SR300 in both 40GB and 100GB models.

The DCR-SR300 uses a 3.2MP ClearVid CMOS sensor to capture its images.  It uses different resolution in different modes.  For video, it uses 2.28MP in 16:9 mode or 1.71MP in 4:3 mode.  For still images, it uses 3.04MP in 4:3 mode or 2.28MP in 16:9 mode.  The SR300 must interpolate the pixels captured by the sensor to get the 6.1-megapixel still images.  It can’t provide an output with the sharpness of a real 6-megapixel camera, although the images can be decent overall.  You can also have the option of recording to a Memory Stick Duo Pro memory card thru its built-in memory card slot.

This camcorder also uses a 10x optical Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T zoom lens, which has multi-layer coating for increased contrast and an additional T coating to reduce glare.  The 10x optical zoom lens has a filter diameter of 37mm.  Its optical image stabilizer – Super SteadyShot hybrid image stabilization – can help you keep your footage relatively shake-free.  The optical image stabilizer is very useful when using the zoom to its fullest capacity although it’s not completely shake-free at its optimum setting.  You’ll more likely use a steady tripod when zoomed to the 10x maximum.  In comparison to camcorders using digital image stabilization, the DCR-SR300 produces better video quality with its optical image stabilizer.  Although it has some automatic controls, it lacks the manual controls that some advanced users may look for in a camcorder in this price range.

Its built-in mic can create an artificial Dolby 5.1 surround soundtrack and you can enhance it with an optional accessory mic.  In addition, like all other Sony camcorders, SR300 has the Sony brand-exclusive hot shoe – Active Interface Shoe.  You can mount the external mic in the camcorder’s hot shoe.  There’s no mic jack nor a headphone jack, so you can’t use a third-party microphone with the DCR-SR300.  If you’ll find the internal mic’s performance satisfactory, you can use the hot shoe to add a different add-on like a video light.

The Sony DCR-SR300 has no USB port for direct upload, which could be a bit inconvenient.  It uses a dock for uploading still images and videos to your PC.

If you’re fond of using viewfinders, you may find it awkward to frame your shots using this camcorder’s 2.7-inch touch screen LCD display.  The DCR-SR300 doesn’t have a built-in viewfinder for optional viewing.  The small 2.7-inch wide-screen makes the menu system inconvenient.  It can’t accommodate more than about four virtual buttons per page.  In addition, since the LCD screen is the only way to frame your shots, a joystick could be helpful in avoiding many fingerprints on the screen.  In this case, for those who prefer the touch screen interface, you can use a stylus.  Unfortunately, Sony doesn’t include it in the package.  If you prefer to have a viewfinder in your camcorder and retain most of the DCR-SR300’s features, you may want to check on the Sony DCR-SR100, which is a more comfortable version of the DCR-SR300.  The DCR-SR100 has an extendable viewfinder, top-mounted flash and onboard USB terminal.

Image quality is good in some ways and the footage is sharp when some motion objects aren’t obscuring the details.  Although the camcorder’s automatic white balance would end up either slightly cool or warm, the result has a pleasing color performance still.

Focus isn’t very fast, but it’s fast enough if there’s ample amount of light.  In low light conditions, focus slows down noticeably.  It becomes very slow in very dim lighting.  This is where Sony’s Super NightShot becomes very helpful.  In extremely low-light situations, the SR300 performs great with the NightShot setting, providing satisfactory performance even in almost-dark shooting environments.

Sony created a nice, smooth shape to the right side of the camera and gained some space for buttons since the viewfinder is gone.  However, some functions such as Backlight, NightShot and Easy mode are located on the left side behind the LCD screen.  Like most of Sony’s consumer camcorders, the DCR-SR300 includes four buttons on the left rim of the LCD screen for menu access, zoom in, zoom out, and record start and stop.

There is a built-in flash located to the left of the lens.  You can adjust Flash levels in the Home menu.  There is no burst or bracketing mode for the DCR-SR300.

The top of the DCR-SR300 reveals how fat this little HDD machine is.  At the head sits the 5.1-channel surround sound built-in microphone, which falls right under the pinky and ring fingers, enabling you to muffle and distort your audio with the greatest of ease.  The SR300 is not big enough for a top-mounted mic.  Right under the microphone is the Sony brand-exclusive hot shoe, or “Active Interface Shoe,” which only Sony has.  Toward the back is the HC7-like zoom toggle, which is smooth and responsive.  The wide photo button sits behind the zoom, easily accessible for a quick snap.

In comparison, one of the camcorders in the DCR-SR300’s category is the JVC GZ-MG555.  The JVC camcorder is no better that a cheaply made camcorder – no viewfinder, a 2.7 inch LCD screen and digital image stabilization – except for the image quality.  The SR300 does display a decent image though.  Those who like pocket-size electronic devices will opt for the MG555.

Overall, the SR300 is an easy to use, entry-level hard disk camera.  If the DCR-SR300 cost a little less, this camera is easier to recommend.  Of course, if you don’t mind tape, then you could step up to a HD camcorder, such as the Sony HDR-HC7 or the Canon HV20 for almost the same price as the DCR-SR300.

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Technical Specifications

Hardware

• Light/Flash : N/A / Yes
• Docking Station : Yes (Handycam Station®)