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Sony
Press Release , –
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 US 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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