Sony DSC-R1 10.3 Effective Megapixel Digital Camera with Zeiss 24mm Wide-angle Lens announced

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1 is the world's first digital camera to combine a large 10.3 effective Megapixel CMOS sensor, and a high quality 24mm - 120mm (35mm) ZEISS Zoom lens in the same body, allowing 'live' viewing with the free-angle LCD screen. It is the latest breakthrough in high-class image quality at an affordable price.

Professional image quality, integral wide angle - telephoto lens, revolutionary shooting style

All-in-One professional quality solution
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1 (DSCR1) is the world's first digital camera to combine a large 10.3 effective Megapixel CMOS sensor, and a high quality 24mm - 120mm (35mm) ZEISS Zoom lens in the same body, allowing 'live' viewing with the free-angle LCD screen. The DSC-R1 is the latest breakthrough in high-class image quality at an affordable price.

Large Size 10.3 effective Megapixel CMOS
Top-class image quality is guaranteed through the inclusion of a large-sized Sony CMOS image sensor (effective 21.5mm x 14.4mm), uniquely designed to significantly improve dynamic range, sensitivity, and signal-to-noise ratio. The large Sony CMOS sensor is able to capture more light, reducing noise levels, allowing higher shutter speeds, and therefore reducing the effects of handshake for beautifully clear, true to life pictures.  Picture blur is significantly reduced because of the camera's high sensitivity capability, with noise being simultaneously reduced as a result of the newly developed Clear RAW NR feature. The signal is amplified within each pixel, resulting in ultra-fast signal transfer, no smear and ultra low power consumption.

Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* quality and flexibility
The dedicated 24mm-120mm (35mm) wide-angle zoom lens of the Cyber-shot DSC-R1 is integrated into the body of the camera. With its F2.8-4.8 aperture, the camera is designed to exacting specifications for optimum performance, reduced internal reflections and fast, quality photography, even at low light levels. Images taken by the Cyber-shot DSC-R1 are razor-sharp with excellent colour and contrast rendition.

The unique 'short back focus design' of the Cyber-shot DSC-R1 also allows the last lens to be positioned immediately in front of the CMOS sensor, contributing to a reduction in chromatic aberration. On the Cyber-shot DSC-R1 this distance has been reduced to an astonishing 2.1mm.

The flexibility of the lens design also means there is no need to change lenses to capture the shot you want. This allows the Cyber-shot DSC-R1 to be exceptionally fast in use - faster than most other high-end cameras. For example, the Cyber-shot DSC-R1 is capable of taking a macro of a butterfly, zooming in on an object in the distance, and then taking a wide-angle landscape shot, all within a few seconds without the need for changing lenses.

The fixed-lens design of the Cyber-shot DSC-R1 provides enhanced durability, reducing the risk of dust or foreign bodies scratching or damaging the sensor as a result of multiple lens changes.  The lens block designed specifically for the Cyber-shot DSC-R1 is made up of 10 groups of 12 elements, four of which are aspherical.

Sony and Carl Zeiss in partnership
Working with Carl Zeiss, Sony has developed a highly qualified high performance lens to realise a higher contrast and resolution even at the edge of images. The lens of the Cyber-shot DSC-R1 has been designed through simulating MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) and chromatic aberration. Additionally, the Carl Zeiss T* multi layer coating, already appreciated by professional photographers the world over, ensures higher quality images with vastly reduced ghosting and flare.

Real Imaging Processor for ultimate performance
The Real Imaging Processor has been further enhanced for the Cyber-shot R1 to provide more detailed, purer and vivid colours. The white balance accuracy has also been improved to differentiate between indoor and outdoor shooting, producing more precise colour. The microprocessor has been further customised for the large CMOS image sensor, resulting in a much shorter response time and greatly reduced image noise. With it's ultra-low power consumption, STAMINA power efficiency, and the use of an intelligent InfoLITHIUM battery, the Cyber-shot DSC-R1 can carry on shooting for an amazing 500* shots, without the need for recharging the battery.

Free-Angle LCD to shoot like no other
The inclusion of a large 2.0-inch "Over Head" free-angle LCD screen, facilitates a revolutionary approach to shooting with the Cyber-shot DSC-R1, unique in its class. Combined with the ultra-bright (luminance 600 Cd/m2) screen, the swivel action allows you to shoot from horizontal or vertical levels, high or low angles or waist height, to maximise creativity.

High sensitivity for reduced blur
Picture blur is significantly reduced because of the high sensitivity capability of the Cyber-shot DSC-R1. Traditionally this would lead to an increase in noise, however with the use of the large size CMOS sensor, and the newly developed Clear RAW NR feature, the signal to noise ratio is improved. The Clear RAW NR original algorithm system reduces colour and luminance noise, enabling shooting with significantly higher sensitivity than current Cyber-shot models, using a selectable ISO sensitivity mode (up to ISO 3200). This ensures images with less noise and finer detail. This especially benefits customers when they shoot in low-light conditions, or when shooting moving objects.

A.G.C.S for rich colours and optimal contrast
The Cyber-shot DSC-R1 features an Advanced Gradation Control System to obtain optimal image contrast. The capability to evaluate distribution of the brightness on-screen and apply an appropriate Gamma curve (luminance distribution) means that images can be altered in real-time for a clearly defined image. For example shooting in difficult conditions such as a poorly lit subject and brightly lit background is not a problem for Cyber-shot DSC-R1 - using the A.G.C.S. feature, brightness can be balanced out, ensuring an evenly lit image.

Advanced display for live preview
You can view a 'live' preview of the shot you are framing, so you can clearly see what the end result will look like before you take the shot. The improved display layout on the Cyber-shot DSC-R1 shows the basic camera settings such as shutter speed, F number, and EV diagram in the bottom area of both LCD and EVF without overlapping the subject in the image area. In addition to the basic settings, the following functions provide further assistance when shooting:

- Histogram
The display shows a live histogram when shooting, ideal for adjustment of brightness. Additionally, in playback a histogram also appears for each of the three separate RGB colours, this is ideal for checking the detailed balance of each colour and then making necessary adjustments.
 
- Zebra Pattern
This uses black and white stripes (Zebra Pattern) to indicate areas where the brightness exceeds a certain level resulting in burnt-out highlights. The exposure can then be adjusted accordingly.
 
- Grid lines
This helps when photographing a horizontal or vertical subject. It can also be used artistically and creatively when composing a picture to a particular pattern.
 
- Enlarged Focus
The focusing point appears in an enlarged image when the manual focus ring is used, for more accurate focusing.

Choose your JPEG colour mode
Users now have a choice of three colour modes on the Cyber-shot DSC-R1:
- Standard (sRGB): a Sony-developed colour arithmetic process used on all Cyber-shot cameras, giving natural and true colour reproduction.
- Vivid (sRGB): lowers brightness and emphasises primary colour depth for impressive results with Reds, Greens and Blues, rather like a saturated slide film. Scenes like a deep blue sky, an intense red flower, and spectacular green scenery will be expressed with lively vivid colour.
- Adobe RGB: increased gamut (colour range) for a larger colour space and better reproduction, to meet professional and high quality picture environments such as desktop publishing with Adobe Photoshop.

Image Data Converter SR for picture adjustment flexibility
Of course, RAW mode is also available for the most demanding users, allowing the highest picture quality with no compression, and preserving the original RGB data and camera settings. The supplied RAW development software (Image Data Converter SR) is particularly versatile compared to competitors' software. It incorporates fast processing, display and development, with improved operability such as dual view and navigator windows. The software allows adjustment of the white balance and exposure, colour modes such as Vivid or Standard, and provides high compatibility with Adobe Photoshop.

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The Cyber-shot DSC-R1 also features PictBridge™, the standard for printing directly to photo printers, such as the Sony DPP-FP50. Pictures can be printed conveniently with the USB Direct Print option.

The next stage
The Cyber-shot DSC-R1 has a range of dedicated optional accessories to further extend the shooting possibilities, from wide and tele lenses, to ND and PL filters, from cases and bags to versatile external flash units.

Your language
Sony has increased the choice of local menu languages to a staggering 15 on the Cyber-shot DSC-R1, another great solution to ensure easier operation.  Menu languages now include: Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish.

The Cyber-shot DSC-R1 will be available throughout Europe from mid- November 2005.