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Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-R1 digital camera. Courtesy of Sony, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Sony announces Cyber-shot DSC-R1
By
(Thursday, September 8, 2005 - 03:09 EDT)

Sony USA has today announced a new digital camera model that couples the much larger image sensors traditionally found in digital SLRs with a body reminiscent of high-end prosumer point and shoots (but with some rather radical changes).

The biggest story in the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1 is without question its image sensor. Almost APS-C sized, the sensor is vastly bigger than those in existing point and shoot models. The sensor is coupled with a fixed Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 5x optical zoom lens, which runs from an impressively wide 24mm equivalent, to a 120mm equivalent telephoto. The camera forgoes an optical viewfinder (and the bulky, heavy prisms and mirrors associated with SLR cameras), in favor of an electronic viewfinder and LCD display.

Therein lies the major challenge Sony had to solve to create the R1. The preview image - whether on the electronic viewfinder or LCD display - requires the image sensor to be active all the time during image framing. Even relatively small traditional CCD and CMOS image sensors are quite power-hungry beasts (and create significant amounts of heat, as well). A 2/3" CCD sensor (as used in the DSC-F828) plus its support circuitry can take in the region of 750mW to power when running continuously for a live preview, and as you scale up the sensor size, this increases dramatically - potentially two watts or more being required to power an APS-C sized CCD sensor.

Readers may well be aware that Sony supplies CMOS imagers to Nikon for their D2X digital SLR (as well as making other CMOS sensors for applications such as camcorders), so the company has quite a bit of experience in CMOS sensor design and fabrication. Sony tells us that drawing on this experience, it has managed to reduce power consumption by a factor of ten to just 200mW in the CMOS imager used for the DSC-R1, and has reined in the heat output in the process as well. This allows the sensor to run continuously for the live preview images, although it should be noted that technical issues still preclude using the sensor to capture movies, so there is no movie mode on the DSC-R1. The R1's CMOS image sensor has an effective resolution of 10.3 megapixels. The large size will offer benefits in image quality, particularly in noise and high ISO perfomance, over the smaller sensors of previous consumer point-and-shoot cameras.

Also particularly unusual on the DSC-R1 is the positioning of its LCD display. The display itself is a 2.0" type with 134,000 pixels, but rather than being mounted on the camera's rear as is normally the case, Sony has placed the LCD on the top of the camera where the prism would be on an SLR. This makes for convenient waist-level shooting, and the LCD is mounted on a tilt/swivel mechanism that allows it to face downwards, forwards, backwards or to the sides. As is usually the case with tilt/swivel LCDs, the display can also be closed facing inwards, providing protection from accidental bumps and scratches. Because of the placement of the LCD, the camera's flash hot shoe has been moved to the right hand side of the camera, on top of the handgrip.

As well as weight and size, one other area of the camera's design benefits from the use of a live preview rather than an optical viewfinder in the DSC-R1. By eliminating a bulky mirror box and prism, Sony has been able to place the rear of the lens much closer to the image sensor in the camera. We're told that this should translate to improved image quality with reduced chromatic abberation. We'll have a hands-on user report with our initial impressions on the camera coming later this morning, so be sure to check back for more thoughts on these points, as well as a number of other significant areas of the DSC-R1's design. The camera looks to combine a lot of the best points of a digital SLR and a high-end fixed lens digicam in a single design, and is bound to cause a lot of excitement, particularly among fans of Sony's past prosumer cameras.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1 will be available in mid November, with US pricing set just below the magic $1000 pricepoint, at $999.95.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-R1 digital camera. Copyright © 2005, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera Type SLR-style
Manufacturer Sony
Model Number R1
Dimensions 5.5 x 3.8 x 6.1"
139.4 x 97.7 x 156.0mm
Weight 1,047.0 g
36.6 oz
Planned Price $999.95
Image Capture
Sensor Type 1.02" Sony CMOS
10.78 megapixels (total)
10.29 megapixels (effective)
Filter Type RGBG
Aspect Ratio 3:2
Image Dimensions 3888 x 2592 (10.1 megapixels)
3264 x 2176 (7.1 megapixels)
2784 x 1856 (5.2 megapixels)
2160 x 1440 (3.1 megapixels)
1296 x 864 (1.1 megapixels)
Capture Speed Continuous: 3.0 frames per second for 3 frames
Image Quality 3 levels
Image Preview / Review
Viewfinder Yes, 0.44" 235,200 pixel color electronic viewfinder
LCD 2.0", 134,000 pixels
Playback Zoom 5.0x max
Lens
Lens Type Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T*
5x optical zoom
67mm lens thread, lens thread
Image Stabilization No
Focal Length 14.3 - 71.5mm (actual)
24 - 120mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Range f/2.8 (wide) / f/4.8 (tele) - f/16.0
Focusing System 5-area Contrast Detect with AF assist lamp
Manual Focus possible (0) steps
Focusing Range Normal: 20" - infinity (50 cm - infinity)
Macro: 14.3"
Exposure
ISO Sensitivity Auto, 160, 200, 400, 1600, 3200
Shutter Speed 30 - 1/2000 second
Exposure Modes Aperture, Shutter, Manual
Metering Modes Multi-pattern, Center-weighted, Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White Balance Image Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Flash, One-Push, Manual
Internal Flash Modes: Auto, Auto w/ red-eye reduction, On, On w/ red-eye reduction, Off, Slow-sync, Slow-sync w/ red-eye reduction
Range: Wide: 0.5 - 8.5 m; Tele: 0.4 - 5.0 m
Flash Exposure Compensation +/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
Creative
Scene Modes Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Portrait, Landscape
Digital Zoom Precision 2x
Storage
Recording Medium CompactFlash Type 1, CompactFlash Type 2, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Microdrive
File Format CCD-RAW, RAW (.SR2), JPEG (EXIF 2.21)
Connectivity
Video Yes
Computer USB 2.0 High Speed
Other DC In, Hot Shoe
Power
Battery Type Lithium Ion rechargeable
Battery Form Factor Proprietary NP-FM50 InfoLithium
Product Bundle
Flash Memory 0.0MB
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant Yes
PictBridge Compliant Yes
Internal Speaker Yes
More Photos
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-R1 digital camera. Copyright © 2005, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-R1 digital camera. Copyright © 2005, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-R1 digital camera. Copyright © 2005, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-R1 digital camera. Copyright © 2005, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-R1 digital camera. Copyright © 2005, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-R1 digital camera. Copyright © 2005, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-R1 digital camera. Copyright © 2005, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-R1 digital camera. Copyright © 2005, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-R1 digital camera. Copyright © 2005, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-R1 digital camera. Copyright © 2005, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-R1 digital camera. Copyright © 2005, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-R1 digital camera. Copyright © 2005, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-R1 digital camera. Copyright © 2005, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-R1 digital camera. Copyright © 2005, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-R1 digital camera. Copyright © 2005, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-R1 digital camera. Copyright © 2005, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved. Click for a bigger picture!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-R1 digital camera. Copyright © 2005, The Imaging Resource. All rights reserved. Click for a bigger picture!
 

Original Source Press Release:

SONY ESTABLISHES A NEW CLASS OF HIGH-END DIGITAL CAMERA

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 8, 2005 – Sony intends to create a new benchmark in digital photography with the introduction of its high-end Cyber-shot® DSC-R1 camera.

The Cyber-shot® R1 camera is the world’s first integrated lens digital still camera to combine a professional-grade, 10.3-megapixel image sensor and the flexibility of live preview while shooting. With its ultra-wide Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* zoom lens (24mm – 120mm) and free-angle, two-inch LCD, the Cyber-shot R1 brings professional level imaging performance to mainstream consumers.

“The R1 represents a breakthrough in digital camera technology and construction,” said James Neal, director for digital imaging products at Sony Electronics. “You can grab this camera and go, confident that you will be prepared for a wide range of shooting situations. Its many convenience features and exceptional performance can not easily be matched with a typical consumer-level digital SLR.”

A Class of Its Own
Photo enthusiasts know that image sensor size is one of the most important influences on picture quality. Professional-grade image sensors, sometimes referred to as advanced photo system (APS) or APS-class, are many times the size of compact sensors used in point-and-shoot cameras; large sensors deliver extraordinary resolution, high sensitivity to light, and lower image noise or graininess for exceptional pictures. At 10.3 megapixels, the R1’s sensor offers one of the highest resolutions available in the APS class.

Unlike digital SLRs, the Cyber-shot R1 unit’s sensor allows for a “live” preview thanks to Sony Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) technology. Until now, the extraordinary power consumption of these large sensors has limited their operation to image capture only – unable to support the benefit of a live preview. Sony’s distinctive design is employed to reduce power consumption, as well as increase image processing speeds.

The camera’s electronic viewfinder or two-inch LCD lets you evaluate scene conditions, such as exposure and how color is rendered before taking a shot. Because the R1 camera can preview electronically, using the image sensor itself in real-time, framing is always 100% accurate.

Built Digital from the Ground Up
The R1’s integrated Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens was carefully crafted to take full advantage of the resolution, clarity and color performance of its APS-class CMOS image sensor. Because of the sensor’s live preview capability, there is no need for the camera to have a traditional “mirror and prism” construction common to digital SLRs. This allows a lens-to-sensor distance of as little as 2 mm, optimizing image quality and color accuracy.

Another benefit of this structure is the ability to incorporate an extraordinary wide field of view and zoom range. The 24 mm wide end of the lens is particularly suited for architectural photography, landscapes and large-group portraits, while the 120 mm telephoto end is perfect for filling the frame with distant subjects. This is a range not easily matched by any other lens for use with cameras using large-scale image sensors.

Furthermore, no mirror and prism construction means that the R1 is a quiet camera, perfect for shooting at a tennis match or in nature without disturbing wildlife.

Get the Shot without the Backache
The Cyber-shot R1 sports a two-inch, LCD screen that folds flat and swivels so you can shoot from nearly any position. This flexibility allows you to get the shots that other cameras miss. For example, you can hold the camera low – down to the ground – for eye-level view shots of kids and pets without having to bend yourself into a pretzel or crawling on the ground.

The Power of Optimal Image Processing
A 10.3-megapixel camera needs a fast processor. Sony harnessed the power of it Real Imaging Processor™ LSI to achieve fast response times, low power consumption and clear images.

The new camera features a one-second shot-to-shot time, three frame-per-second burst shooting, and a shutter release time of only 7.5 milliseconds. Because it consumes 70 percent less power than Sony’s previous processing circuitry, the camera has a battery life of up to 500 shots per charge, which can vary according to use and camera settings.

For enhanced versatility, Cyber-shot R1 offers three different modes of color reproduction: Adobe RGB used for professional graphics and offset color printing, Standard sRGB for most computer-based uses, and Vivid sRGB for more intense primary colors.

The camera’s user selectable Advanced Gradation Control System (AGCS) optimizes image contrast, in order to avoid “blown out” highlights in high-contrast scenes and “crushed” blacks in low-contrast ones. AGCS evaluates the distribution of brightness and then automatically applies the appropriate gamma curve to achieve better pictures.

Users will also enjoy the added convenience of storing images onto Memory Stick PRO™ media, as well as CompactFlash® Type I and Type II media or Microdrive® media. The camera supports both JPEG and RAW formats, which can then be manipulated on a PC using the supplied Sony Image Data Converter SR software.

The Cyber-shot R1 camera will be available in mid-November for about $1,000 online at SonyStyle.com, at Sony Style retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail), and at select authorized dealers nationwide. Pre-orders begin online today at http://www.sony.com/r1.

The new camera is supplied with a NP-FM50 InfoLithium battery, an AC-L15 adaptor, a USB and video cables, shoulder strap, and CD-ROM software with PicturePackage and Image Data Converter SR for RAW. There are a variety of optional accessories (sold separately), including wide angle and telephoto conversion lenses, adaptors, filters, tripods, flashes, carry cases, a neck strap and a battery.

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