Contax SL300R T* 3.2MP Digital Camera w/3x Optical Zoom

by Contax

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B0001GGXK4
• Item model number: 110014
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #52,669 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 4, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

It not only looks different, it sees different. Almost nothing’s the same. In addition to a sleek swivel design that folds flat to fit unnoticed in almost any pocket, the Contax SL300R features our revolutionary RTUNE technology that lets you shoot continuous sequences until your memory card is full (using an optional high-speed memory card). Add a camera full of other features, and you have a fun, easy camera that takes pictures like never before.

Ultra-Compact, Stylish Design
Twist it open to get the shot, then twist it closed and slide it right back into your pocket. Its sleek all-metal exterior is sophisticated enough for your upscale cocktail parties and durable enough for your weekends at the beach.

Exclusive RTUNE Technology
Faster start-up. Faster shutter response. Faster shot-to-shot times. Continuous shooting at 3.3 pictures per second until your card is full. And beautiful, virtually noise-free pictures. To see how our revolutionary imaging system ensures you’ll never miss a moment.

High-Quality 3x Optical/6x Total Zoom
A bright, brilliant Kyocera f/2.8 3x zoom lens gets you close to deliver the fullest shot possible. And for added flexibility, a 2x digital zoom combines to give you the power of a 6x total zoom.

1.5" DayFine LCD
Our exclusive DayFine display/viewfinder makes it easy to shoot and review your images in even the brightest sunlight.

3.2 Megapixel CCD
Turn your favorite shots into big prints 8" x 10" and larger.

Movies With Sound
Our revolutionary RTUNE technology also lets you shoot longer movies, limited in length only by the size of your media card.

Easy USB Connectivity
Connect to nearly any PC or Mac without any additional software.

SD/MMC Memory Card
Enjoy convenient flexibility with SD and MMC memory card compatibility.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Modern, Very Fast, March 27, 2004

By 

Mark Eichin (Concord, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Contax SL300R T* 3.2MP Digital Camera w/3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

Speed is a big theme of the marketing, and sure enough you can get off a burst of shots at a startling speed. With a Lexar 32x card, I can shoot 640x480 30fps until the card fills - at 2MB/sec, this doesn't take long, but you get stunningly good output for such a small device. (320x240 is still nice, and only 500k/s, or almost 10 minutes on a 256M card.)

Note also that although it doesn't have a tripod mount, you can make it very stable by shooting with it folded flat - I've gotten some excellent driving shots simply by setting it leather-side-down on my dashboard. Being able to mount real 28mm filters (with the included, unfortunately plastic, ring adaptor) is nice, and I've used that with lenses too (with some care - the manual recommends against it, the adaptor isn't really meant to support the weight of the camera or a large lens.)

It also really is shirt-pocketable, a key to taking shots Right Now. Also it doesn't skimp on buttons, there's not nearly as much "menu/mode walking" as on some other cameras.

Finally, the rotation feels *very* solid, with a click at +90/0/-90 degrees (though you can go past that in both directions, good for both overhead and low-angle shots.)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Contax SL300R vs. Contax U4R, January 2, 2005

By 

Jeremy Birn "jeremy" (Berkeley, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Contax SL300R T* 3.2MP Digital Camera w/3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

This is one of 2 very similar Contax models - be sure to compare before you buy! Compared to the Contax SL300R, the Contax U4R has the same body and lens, but adds: 4.2mp Sensor (instead of 3.34mp), 2 inch LCD monitor (instead of 1.5), 9 point AF, and a cradle for charging and computer/video connection with one dock. The U4R doesn't come with any SD card, but the 16mb one with the SL300R should be replaced by a bigger one right away anyway. (I won't mention prices because they might change after I post, but they are worth comparing.)

This is my favorite body design, the swivel feature is more valuable than you could know until you have used one. It's a shame there is no tripod mount screw and no lens cap, but otherwise the SL300R and U4R are both great point and shoot cameras.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fine Pocket Digital Camera, February 12, 2005

By 

John Kwok (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Contax SL300R T* 3.2MP Digital Camera w/3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

Those interested in obtaining in digital imaging, the same splendid image quality for which Contax 35mm and medium format film cameras have been known for, will not be disappointed in this miniature digital camera. The resolution holds up quite well for at least 4 x 6" prints, thanks due to its Carl Zeiss T* lens. I've been impressed - but shouldn't be - by the excellent images I have seen produced with this tiny camera. Most importantly for users, this is a tiny digital camera that can fit almost easily inside your coat or shirt pocket. Regrettably this is one of the last products resulting from the decades-old Zeiss/Kyocera partnership which was suspended last year, probably permanently.