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It is good to see that the CD300 has a good selection of exposure settings allowing the user to have full control over different exposure settings. All changes show up on the LCD screen. I really like the large LCD display. Most other digital camera like the Kodak DC280 (used to take the pictures of the CD300) has a small LCD display. The CD300’s 2.5” LCD is at least twice as big as the Kodak’s. This allows the user to review each shot clearly through the LCD. Smaller screens do not provide enough detail in most cases.

The back of the CD300 has many controls. While most of the controls are well positioned, there is a set of controls above the LCD that seem to be placed there due to a lack of space because of the large LCD.

The CD300 has many functions and to add to that list is its unique flash.

Most Sony cameras have a flash mount on the front. With the CD300, it is the first time Sony uses a pop-up flash design. The flash pops up when you press the shutter release button halfway when the camera is set on auto-flash or fill-in. There is also an AF illuminator to the left side of the flash, which flashes on in low light situations. The flash has to be manually pushed back in when not in use.

The neat thing about this camera is the media it uses. The CD-R/RW loads into a CD compartment. The camera hinges opens up about three quarters to reveal a CD compartment where a sprung spindle hold the 8cm CD-R/RWs. To change CDs just pop the old one out and clip the new one on. Very easy! The construction of the hinges is quite solid and doesn’t rattle or make jiggle when shaken.

The downside to using CD-R/RW is that initializing or finalizing the CD would require that you place the camera on a level surface without any vibration.

Unique to Sony cameras is the Carl Zeiss lens. This is professional quality lens that offers an optical zoom of 3x (34mm – 102mm) and F2.0-2.5. This means that in low lighting, this camera should perform well. This would a first for most digital cameras, as they tend not to do so well in the dark and require a lot of light to capture good pictures. The lens retracts and extends automatically using the Wide/Tele buttons in the back. The picture shows the lens in full extension and mind you that is a long lens. One other thing, if you leave the lens cap on, the LCD screen would display a warning that the lens cap is on. So for absent-minded people like me this feature is good.

Last but not least is the lens cap, which attaches to the left side of the camera in a hidden location.

In terms of usability, I have to say that the CD300 is relatively easy to use and has many photographer friendly functions. I was able to use the camera without first reading the operating manual.