Product Description
- 10.3-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 18 x 24-inch prints
- 5x optical zoom; 2.0-inch vari-angle LCD display
- "Live" preview using Sony's Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) technology
- Three color modes and RAW capture
- Records images on Memory Stick PRO and Compact Flash Type 1/II media; powered by one NP-FM50 InfoLithium battery
It's not an SLR, in asense, because you can't change lenses though it's shaped somewhat like an abbreviated SLR. It isn't compact either. What the Sony DSC-R1 Cybershot Digital-Camera is...is a professional camera that anyone can use. It has a 5x Carl Zeiss lens that has a (35mm equiv focal length) from 24mm to 120mm - which suits most photographic applications. A 67mm filter thread allows the addition of filters and lens conversion accessories. Make it yours. Pop-Up ElectronicFlash - Distance limitations using Flash - Wide - 0.5m - 8.5m, Tele - 0.4m - 5.0m (ISO Auto) Compatible Recording media - Memory Stick(R) media, Memory Stick(R) PRO media, Memory Stick(R) PRO High Speed media, Memory Stick(R) Duo media, Memory Stick(R) PRO Duo media, Memory Stick(R) PRO Duo High Speed media, Compact Flash Type I, Compact Flash Type II, Microdrive Lens accepts 67mm size filters AF Method - Single AF, Monitoring AF, Continuous AF / AF Area - Multi-Point (5-points), Center Weighted, Flexible Spot / Focus Mode - Auto Focus / Macro / Manual Aperture - Auto (F2.8 - F16) / Program Auto (F2.8 - F16) / Aperture Priority (F2.8 - F16) / Shutter Priority (F2.8 - F16) / Manual (F2.8 - F16) / Shutter Speed - Auto (1/8-1/2000) / Program Auto (1-1/2000) / Aperture Priority (8-1/2000) / Shutter Priority (30-1/2000) / Manual (Time, 30 seconds to 1/2000) Hand Shake Alert ISO Sensitivity Setting - Auto, 160, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 Still Image Recording - Modes - Normal (JPEG), High-Speed Burst (JPEG), Auto-Bracketing (JPEG), RAW (SR2); Sizes - 10M - 3,888 x 2,592, 7M - 3,264 x 2,176, 5M - 2,784 x 1,859, 3M - 2,160 x 1,440, 1M - 1,296 x 864 , 3 - 2 Mode Burst Shot Compatible with all PictBridge equipment High-Speed USB 2.0 connectivity for data-transfer to a Windows PC or Macintosh computer Video Output is NTSC and PAL selectable for viewing photos on TV Unit Dimensions WHD - 5.5 x 3.87 x 6.125
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The Sony R1 is a niche camera
I have owned my R1 for about a month now, have taken over 1000 photos and am delighted with the camera.
Let's get the bad news out of the way first and why I only gave it a 3 star rating.
The R1 is:
Very expensive - on the par with entry level DSLRs with lens kits but can't compete with their speed nor their versatility.
It's a large and heavy camera.
Uses proprietary battery
Does not have image stabilization!
Does not do videos.
This is a horrible mistake on the part of Sony, they price this camera with the DSLRs and then fall short on delivery.
In short, the R1 is marketed on the same plane as DSLRs but can't compete with them.
Pros:
This camera with it's swiveling LCD viewer is super for portrait work. It's ultra sharp lens will best all SLRs as far as portrait photography is concerned.
With the swiveling LCD you can go eyeball to eyeball with a toy poodle playing in the grass.
You simply can't do that with any DSLR!
The R1 is also excellent for candid photography because you can shoot at waist level instead of being conspicuous by holding the camera up to your eyes. In fact, there are many, many times when the R1 performed when other cameras stopped.
Exposure, focus and color are excellent and on the par with any DSLR.
The controls are easy to find after just taking a few pictures.
Battery life is excellent and you should not have to buy a second battery.
The 10Mpixels make cropping a breeze!
You can toss 50% of a photo and still have enough to print a 11 X 14.
The camera looks better than most DSLRs but can't outperform them except in the areas mentioned.
If you have longed for a camera that shoots from waist level like the famous 2 1/4 film cameras of days gone by then the R1 is for you.
If you photograph a lot of toddlers or pets then this camera is for you.
If you shoot a lot of fast-action sports then this camera is not for you.
If you are a birder then this camera is absolutely not for you.
If you do people shots for groups or clubs then you will love the R1.