Sony PRS-300 vs PRS-505

kwailau · 12-09-2009, 04:53 PM

Hi there,

I had sent in a PRS-500 for the ePub upgrade and it turned out that my unit was defective.

Sony has graciously offered to to replace it with either a PRS-300 or 505. I know that the 505 is similar to the 500 which I love but I heard that the 300 is a newer model.

Can I ask for your advice on the pluses and minuses of each device so that I can choose in the next day or two?

Thank you!
Kwai

grooks · 12-09-2009, 04:59 PM

The 505 has a larger screen (6" vs 5"), audio capabilities and expandable memory (SD and PRODuo).

Both screens have the same clarity, same processor and look very similiar except for the small difference in size. They also run the same firmware with basically the same options/look/feel.

jlbfoot · 12-09-2009, 06:28 PM

I have both and personally prefer the 300. I just like the form factor better. I have not found the smaller screen to be a hindrance to my reading.

Having said that, I only use the device for reading. I do not use the MP3 player. I personally am happy with no storage card slot. I can get plenty of books on the device's hard drive for me.

I used the wedge light cover on my 505, and although it was great, it does add weight to the book. I now use a MightyBrite clip on light which I feel really sharpens the text well.

IMHO, the only thing I think that is lacking on the 300 is a dictionary. I still love a 505. If I had to rate the two, I'd say the 505 is fantastic, and the 300 is fantastic +, particularly if you have minimalist tendencies. Your mileage may vary.

kwailau · 12-09-2009, 06:33 PM

Thank you jlbfoot for your advice. I appreciate your advice although I'm not a minimalist by nature and would tend to lean for more screen and features.

I think there are a lot of advantages with either one. I'm happy to get a replacement for a damaged unit.

Oldvjp1 · 12-09-2009, 09:25 PM

I have both the 300 and 505. I use them both, like the 300 for its portability. Also like the button position in the center for page turning. That said, I like the 505's bigger screen sometimes and hold it a bit differently. Yes, the cards on the 505 carry a ton of books, but do you really need to carry hundreds at a time. I listen to music on other devices, so don't need that function. If I had to choose, I'd lean towards the 300 on the basis of size and portability. You couldn't go wrong with either.

crovakiet · 12-10-2009, 01:43 AM

What I would do is get the 505, and find someone with a 300. Test out the 300 for a bit and if you actually like the 300 better, well you can sell your 505 and buy a 300. You may even gain a profit since the 505s are discontinued and there is still a lot of demand for them, especially if sony is basically giving you a brand new 505...

kwailau · 12-10-2009, 01:35 PM

Thanks Oldvjp1 and crovakiet for your helpful comment. I am leaning more and more for the 505 because of the larger screen size. I heard that it also offers more choices with the font sizes too which I like. I don't listen to music on the reader and most likely will not use the SD expansion slot. Size isn't much of an issue with me because I don't think the 505 is all that big and awkward to use.

jlbfoot · 12-10-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwailau

I heard that it also offers more choices with the font sizes too which I like.

I'm not aware of that. Both my 505 and 300 have small, medium, and large choices. Am I missing something?

kwailau · 12-10-2009, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlbfoot

I'm not aware of that. Both my 505 and 300 have small, medium, and large choices. Am I missing something?

It's probably me. I thought I read it somewhere on this forum but I can't recall where.

kelly1010 · 12-12-2009, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlbfoot

I have both and personally prefer the 300. I just like the form factor better. I have not found the smaller screen to be a hindrance to my reading.

Having said that, I only use the device for reading. I do not use the MP3 player. I personally am happy with no storage card slot. I can get plenty of books on the device's hard drive for me.

I used the wedge light cover on my 505, and although it was great, it does add weight to the book. I now use a MightyBrite clip on light which I feel really sharpens the text well.

IMHO, the only thing I think that is lacking on the 300 is a dictionary. I still love a 505. If I had to rate the two, I'd say the 505 is fantastic, and the 300 is fantastic +, particularly if you have minimalist tendencies. Your mileage may vary.

Thanks so much for posting this. I need to replace my 505, and after the sonystyle.com tech support (who was wonderfully FRUSTRATING btw) waited until the very end to tell me they can't repair my reader, and finding most 505s to be more expensive than the brand new 300, I'm thinking maybe I should just go with a 300. I, too, was wondering about the differences. I never used the mp3 player or memory card slot. And never had a need for a dictionary.

DrMoze · 12-13-2009, 12:01 AM

Kelly,

I was using a 505 for almost 2 years, and got a 300 a few months back. I like the 300's smaller size (fits in a pants or jacket pocket; feels a bit thicker/more solid). If you don't use a dictionary or mp3s or memory card (I don't use any of these myself) then the 300 should be a solid ebook device for you. Of course, the 505 is also great, if a slightly larger screen and overall size average out positive for you. Either way, you'll have a really good reader.

The 505 does come with a cover, which I really like; a comparable cover from Sony for the 300 set me back $30, but I did it because the hinge-connected covers are so handy.

kelly1010 · 12-13-2009, 12:04 AM

ok. That was my question in another message I sent. good to know. I am actually not too concerned about size. I figure if I can read on my ipod touch, I should have no problems with the 5 inch screen. And I don't plan to use the lightwedge this time around so just that will make the screen clearer since the lightwedge for the 505 was a bit "frosty". Now I'm just hemming and hawing over what color to get. unless I miraculously find a 505 in the next day or so, I plan to pick up my 300 very shortly.

12-09-2009, 04:53 PM	#1
kwailau Member Posts: 20 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: Sony PRS-500	Sony PRS-300 vs PRS-505 Hi there, I had sent in a PRS-500 for the ePub upgrade and it turned out that my unit was defective. Sony has graciously offered to to replace it with either a PRS-300 or 505. I know that the 505 is similar to the 500 which I love but I heard that the 300 is a newer model. Can I ask for your advice on the pluses and minuses of each device so that I can choose in the next day or two? Thank you! Kwai

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12-09-2009, 04:59 PM	#2
grooks Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 30250 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fort Myers, FL Device: Pocketbook Era, Kobo Forma	The 505 has a larger screen (6" vs 5"), audio capabilities and expandable memory (SD and PRODuo). Both screens have the same clarity, same processor and look very similiar except for the small difference in size. They also run the same firmware with basically the same options/look/feel.

12-09-2009, 06:28 PM	#3
jlbfoot idiot Posts: 91 Karma: 16 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Grand Cayman Device: Sony 505, 300, and 650	I have both and personally prefer the 300. I just like the form factor better. I have not found the smaller screen to be a hindrance to my reading. Having said that, I only use the device for reading. I do not use the MP3 player. I personally am happy with no storage card slot. I can get plenty of books on the device's hard drive for me. I used the wedge light cover on my 505, and although it was great, it does add weight to the book. I now use a MightyBrite clip on light which I feel really sharpens the text well. IMHO, the only thing I think that is lacking on the 300 is a dictionary. I still love a 505. If I had to rate the two, I'd say the 505 is fantastic, and the 300 is fantastic +, particularly if you have minimalist tendencies. Your mileage may vary.

12-09-2009, 06:33 PM	#4
kwailau Member Posts: 20 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: Sony PRS-500	Thank you jlbfoot for your advice. I appreciate your advice although I'm not a minimalist by nature and would tend to lean for more screen and features. I think there are a lot of advantages with either one. I'm happy to get a replacement for a damaged unit.

12-09-2009, 09:25 PM	#5
Oldvjp1 Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Red Sony 505 and Blue Sony 300	I have both the 300 and 505. I use them both, like the 300 for its portability. Also like the button position in the center for page turning. That said, I like the 505's bigger screen sometimes and hold it a bit differently. Yes, the cards on the 505 carry a ton of books, but do you really need to carry hundreds at a time. I listen to music on other devices, so don't need that function. If I had to choose, I'd lean towards the 300 on the basis of size and portability. You couldn't go wrong with either.

12-10-2009, 01:43 AM	#6
crovakiet Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Sony Reader PRS300SC	What I would do is get the 505, and find someone with a 300. Test out the 300 for a bit and if you actually like the 300 better, well you can sell your 505 and buy a 300. You may even gain a profit since the 505s are discontinued and there is still a lot of demand for them, especially if sony is basically giving you a brand new 505...

12-10-2009, 01:35 PM	#7
kwailau Member Posts: 20 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: Sony PRS-500	Thanks Oldvjp1 and crovakiet for your helpful comment. I am leaning more and more for the 505 because of the larger screen size. I heard that it also offers more choices with the font sizes too which I like. I don't listen to music on the reader and most likely will not use the SD expansion slot. Size isn't much of an issue with me because I don't think the 505 is all that big and awkward to use.

12-13-2009, 12:01 AM	#11
DrMoze Booknut Posts: 860 Karma: 2852 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: West Palm Beach, Florida! Device: Sony Reader 500/505/300/350, Nook Glowlight Plus (6")	Kelly, I was using a 505 for almost 2 years, and got a 300 a few months back. I like the 300's smaller size (fits in a pants or jacket pocket; feels a bit thicker/more solid). If you don't use a dictionary or mp3s or memory card (I don't use any of these myself) then the 300 should be a solid ebook device for you. Of course, the 505 is also great, if a slightly larger screen and overall size average out positive for you. Either way, you'll have a really good reader. The 505 does come with a cover, which I really like; a comparable cover from Sony for the 300 set me back $30, but I did it because the hinge-connected covers are so handy.

12-13-2009, 12:04 AM	#12
kelly1010 Book Addict! Posts: 533 Karma: 1070 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: CA Device: Sony PRS-505, iPod Touch, Kindle 3G + Wi-Fi	ok. That was my question in another message I sent. good to know. I am actually not too concerned about size. I figure if I can read on my ipod touch, I should have no problems with the 5 inch screen. And I don't plan to use the lightwedge this time around so just that will make the screen clearer since the lightwedge for the 505 was a bit "frosty". Now I'm just hemming and hawing over what color to get. unless I miraculously find a 505 in the next day or so, I plan to pick up my 300 very shortly.

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