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Epson's R-D1s digital rangefinder. Courtesy of Epson, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Epson updates digital rangefinder
By
(Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 14:47 EST)

Seiko Epson Corp. in Japan has today announced an update to its R-D1 digital rangefinder, developed in cooperation with Cosina Corp. and first unveiled at the 2004 PMA show in Las Vegas.

The Epson R-D1s is a relatively minor update, with the changes mostly confined to firmware (although specs provided by the company list the new model as 30 grams lighter than its elder sibling). Both models feature a 6.1 megapixel APS-C sized CCD image sensor, store images on SD memory cards, and accept most - but not all - Leica M (or, with an adapter, Leica L)-mount lenses.

Changes in the R-D1s include a new RAW+JPEG shooting mode (which captures both Raw and maximum-quality JPEG images in the same shot), a new AdobeRGB color space option in addition to the existing sRGB (color space of images is indicated in Playback mode). There's also a new long-exposure noise removal function (although it isn't clear at what shutter speed this kicks in), and a Quick View function that displays the just-captured image on the LCD for 3 or 10 seconds, but can be disabled altogether.

The playback zoom function now works for Raw files (not just JPEG images as was the case in the R-D1), and has been extended from the original 9.4x maximum zoom to a new high of 16x. The camera's Film1, Film2 and Film3 user settings groups have also been altered so that they now default to three specific situations - Portrait, Landscape or Night Scene (although they can still be changed by the user, to adjust contrast, saturation, etc. to your preferred settings).

The Epson Photolier software bundled with the camera has been altered to offer a new 13.54 megapixel interpolated resolution when working with Raw files. Adobe Photoshop Elements has been dropped from the camera bundle, and a new leather case (part number RD1SC1) is being offered as an optional accessory.

Externally, the R-D1s looks identical to the existing R-D1, whose announcement we covered in a March 2004 news item. Product specifications follow below:

Epson R-D1s
General
Camera TypeOther
ManufacturerEpson
Model NumberR-D1s
Dimensions5.6 x 3.5 x 1.6"
142.0 x 88.5 x 39.5mm
Weight560.0 g
19.6 oz
Image Capture
Sensor TypeAPS-C
6.10 megapixels (total)
Filter TypeRGBG
Focal Length Multiplier1.53
Aspect Ratio3:2
Image Dimensions3008 x 2000 (6.0 megapixels)
2240 x 1488 (3.3 megapixels)
Image Quality3 levels
Image Preview / Review
ViewfinderYes, Rangefinder (1x field of view)
LCD2.0", 235,000 pixels
100% field of view
Playback Zoom16.0x max
Lens
Lens TypeVaries with lens used, thread size unknown
Lens MountEM mount (Leica M compatible)
Image StabilizationNo
Aperture RangeVaries with lens used
Focusing SystemFixed Focus
Manual Focus possible (0) steps
Exposure
ISO Sensitivity200, 400, 800,1600
Shutter Speed1 - 1/2000 second
Exposure ModesAperture, Manual
Metering ModesCenter Weighted
Exposure Compensation+/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White BalanceImage Sensor - Auto / fine / shady / cloudy / incandescent / fluorescent
Creative
Scene ModesNone
Self TimerYes, None seconds
Time LapseNo
Movie FormatNone without audio
Max. frame-rate: 0 frames per second
Storage
Recording MediumSD/MMC, None
File SystemFAT16, complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File FormatCCD-RAW, RAW (.ERF), JPEG (EXIF v2.21)
Connectivity
VideoNo
OtherNone
Power
Battery TypeLithium Ion Rechargeable
Battery Form FactorProprietary EPALB1
Product Bundle
SoftwareEpson Photolier, Epson RAW plugin
Battery / ChargerProprietary EPALB1 Lithium Ion Rechargeable battery and charger
Flash Memory0.0MB
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliantYes
Internal MicrophoneNo
Tripod MountYes, Metal
Remote ControlYes, Wired (shutter button)
Operating System CompatibilityWindows, MacOS
 

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