[Delivery / accessories]
The Sony comes with a manageable accessories: battery, manual, strap, USB cable plus plug and lens cap. The lens is permanently installed and is not changeable. Unfortunately, there is no separate battery charger with this, so you have to always connect to load the whole camera.
[Handling]
From the handling, I was excited from the start. The front bracket is pleasant rubberized, which provides a good grip, and also have ergonomically designed with a recess on the finger. Also for the thumb there is a reserved storage area. The camera is so much good in the hand.
Unsatisfactory I find that the lens cap has unfortunately no tapes with this is that you can attach it to the camera and can be easily runterbaumeln. But you have to put away hold in your hand and hope that you will not forget him him always.
[Control panel and viewfinder]
The display has a very good resolution, photos and excerpts can be seen clearly. However shines and it reflects just on sunny days very. Moreover it is very sensitive when it comes to fingerprints and smudges. The small screen can be traced to the 90 ° angle tilt, but not completely rotate. So you can not fold back him, which I think is a pity to protect just for storage and to the display.
The viewfinder can be activated by pushing a button, but he could not convince me. He is wearing glasses unfriendly, with glasses, the image is often blurred and also the cut is extremely small. I will probably continue to take pictures on the large display.
[MENU]
The menus are pretty catchy as soon as one has even clicked through. I especially like that at the turning wheel settings always a brief description on the screen will appear, which you can do with the setting. It do just as well for the more demanding user many options on, to let off steam: The camera also offers the ability to manually adjust the ISO sensitivity, shutter speed and aperture value.
There is also a so-called "simple mode" - perfect for amateur!
[PHOTOS AND VIDEOS]
The start time until the camera is ready for use, is fine, there are approximately three seconds. Here I have the feeling that, for example, the Canon PowerShot SX50 HS is faster.
The photos are very good and sharp and without deeper knowledge of photography can achieve good results.
The videos are recorded in good quality. When zooming you should note that you can already easily the zoom noise heard even during recording, but it is well within the scope.
[FLASH]
A small negative point might be the lack of flash mode. The built-in flash is raised automatically, as soon as the situation requires it, but you will be prompted via display on the display to do it manually. I forget, unfortunately, frequently times and this means an extra - time-wasting - handle to the flash, then the focus is gone ...
An external flash can not put you, for this there is no device.
[ZOOM]
From the Zoom function, I'm really impressed. Can be very convenient zooming via a rotary ring which surrounds the shutter button. Up to 50x optical in great quality, even on the internal software. It was impressive for me, which provides sharp results this stunning Zoom. Here I have a feeling the push is even a bit better than the Canon PowerShot SX50 HS. I once two sample images set: just zoomed into the sky and photographed aircraft.
[Conclusion]
Especially for lay people who want to take good pictures yet and would like to go on an expedition into the possibilities of photography, the Sony DSC-HX300 is wonderfully suited. It is easy to use and if you want it, it makes vivid color and sharper pictures quasi by itself, but also the versiertere photographer will find a variety of settings. Even though I can not understand and / or use the functionality: but Thanks to this camera, I can now make a layman also very professional looking photos! I would say, therefore a worthwhile investment for just laity. A great camera that's fun!