General Features
Recording Images
Viewing, Editing and Printing Images
Supplied Software

General Features

CMOS Image Sensor: The DSC-R1 is Sony's first digital camera with a Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. This 21.5mm x 14.4mm, APS-class image sensor is more than 12 times the size of typical sensors, offers 10,784,000 total pixels and 10,286,000 effective pixels for superb detail and giant, poster-sized prints. Note: The image sensor size provided in the Features table is the diagonal measurement, used for comparison purposes.

Dual Media Capability: The camera is compatible with Memory Stick and Memory Stick PRO, as well as Compact Flash (Type I/II) and Microdrive recording media. You can use Memory Stick products with or without MagicGate, and Memory Stick Duo products when inserted into a Memory Stick Duo adapter. A switch on the back of the camera lets you choose between Memory Stick and Compact Flash/Microdrive media. You can insert both types of memory at the same time, however, you cannot record an image onto both media simultaneously. Note: No recording media is supplied with this camera.

Real Imaging Processor: The DSC-R1's Real Imaging Processor improves picture quality and clarity, and improves camera response time, decreases shutter lag, and improves battery stamina.

Analog-To-Digital Conversion: This camera uses a 14-Bit Digital EXtended Processor (DXP) which captures the range between highlight and shadow with up to 16,384 values, for extended dynamic contrast and detail.

Free-Angle 2.0" LCD Monitor:  The DSC-R1 has a 2.0" TFT LCD monitor that turns and twists through a wide range, allowing you to hold the camera overhead, position it at your waist, or lower it to the floor for easier shot composition. The monitor has a resolution of 560 x 240 (134,400 pixels). A switch on the back of the camera lets you switch between the LCD monitor, the viewfinder, or Auto. In the Auto mode, the camera's eye sensor automatically turns off the monitor and turns on the viewfinder when you bring the camera up to your face. The viewfinder also automatically turns on when you close the LCD monitor face down onto the camera body.

Electronic Viewfinder: The camera has a 0.44", electronic LCD TTL (through-the-lens) viewfinder with a resolution of 980 x 240 (235,200 pixels). The viewfinder offers 100% coverage of the image "seen" by the camera.

Live Preview: You can preview exposure and depth of focus by setting the monitor mode to Preview. This mode provides you with a good idea of what the final shot will look like before you shoot. When not in use, you can switch the monitor mode to Framing to reduce flicker when shooting under fluorescent light.

Carl Zeiss Lens: The camera has a high quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens with 12 elements in 10 groups. The exclusive Zeiss T* (t-star) coatings reduce internal reflections, suppress lens flare, and improve image contrast. The lens' focal length of 14.3mm to 71.55mm (24-120mm converted to 35mm) is much wider than most digital SLR cameras to let you easily capture scenic and group photos. The lens has a manual, mechanical 5x optical zoom which is controlled by a zoom ring around the lens.

Smart Zoom: The digital zoom can be switched from "Precision" to "Smart" in the Setup menu. The "Precision" Zoom is 2x, and coupled with the 5x optical zoom gives you a total zoom of 10x. The Smart Zoom intelligently uses the full CMOS imager to let you zoom into the portion of interest by cropping the image size, thus avoiding the image degradation found in most digital zooms. The maximum zoom scale depends upon the image size. When the image is 1M (1296 x 864), the Smart digital zoom is up to 5x, and coupled with the optical zoom gives you a total zoom of up to 15x. For larger images, the digital zoom (and total zoom) is less. When the image size is set to 10M (3888 x 2592), the smart zoom does not function, leaving you with only the optical and precision digital zoom.

Image Recording Formats: The camera records still images using JPEG compression. The camera also records images using the RAW mode, which captures all of the data from the CMOS imager without compression. In order to reproduce the RAW data file, you will need to use the Image Data Converter SR software (supplied on CD-ROM). Note: When recording in the RAW mode, a JPEG image is also recorded in the same image size.

Image Size/Image Quality: The DSC-R1 allows you to choose from five image sizes and two compression (image quality) settings--Fine and Standard. The larger the image and the higher the image quality you choose, the better the image will be, but it also takes a larger amount of data to preserve the image. The image sizes include 10M (3888 x 2592), 7M (3264 x 2176), 5M (2784 x 1856), 3M (2160 x 1440), and 1M (1296 x 864).

Auto Focus Methods: The camera has three auto focus methods using the AF range finder:

• 5-area Multi-point AF: The camera calculates the distance in five areas to the left, right, top, bottom, and in the center of the image. This method is helpful when your subject is not centered in the frame.
• Center AF: The camera focuses only on the subject framed in the AF range finder in the center of the image
• Flexible Spot AF: This method is for focusing on an extremely small subject or a narrow area.

Auto Focus Modes: In the menu, you can choose one of three AF modes: Single AF, Monitor AF, or Continuous AF. Single AF only begins to focus on your subject when you press the shutter button halfway down. Monitoring AF automatically focuses on the subject before you press the shutter button halfway down, but does not adjust the focus after the AF lock is complete. Continuous AF adjusts the focus from the time the camera is turned on until the moment of exposure, even after AF lock is completed. Note: Battery consumption increases when the camera is set to Monitor AF or Continuous AF.

Manual Focus: When obtaining proper focus is difficult, you can switch to the Manual Focus mode and achieve focus by turning the manual focus ring around the lens.

Macro Focus: For close-ups of small objects such as flowers and insects, this camera has macro focus capability. With the zoom set all the way to wide, the camera can focus on objects as close as 13-7/8". With the zoom set all the way to telephoto, the camera can focus on objects as close as 15-3/4" from the lens. Note: Minimum distance needed to focus on a subject when not in the Macro mode is 19-3/4".

AF Illuminator: The DSC-R1's AF Illuminator supplies fill light to focus more easily on a subject in dark surroundings. The AF Illuminator emits red light allowing the camera to focus easily when the shutter button is pressed halfway, until the focus is locked. It is recommended for use up to a distance of approximately 106-1/4" at wide angle and 90-1/2" at telephoto. It can be switched off if desired.

Power Save: During shooting, the camera will automatically go into Power Save mode after a pre-selected amount of time has passed since the camera was last operated. The Power Save mode can be set to 20 seconds, 1 minute, 3 minutes, 10 minutes, or Off. During the Power Save mode, the battery is still consumed because power is not totally turned off.

Battery Information: This model uses the Sony NP-FM50 InfoLithium battery pack (7.2 Volts/1180 mAh). This battery exchanges data with the camera about its power consumption and calculates the remaining battery life based on the actual power consumption. The remaining battery life is displayed in the LCD Monitor. The approximate time to charge a completely discharged battery pack is 180 minutes (charging in-camera using the supplied AC-L15A AC power adapter at a temperature of 77° F).

Battery Performance: Under normal operating conditions the NP-FM50 battery has the following capacity:

AC Adapter: When using the camera for long periods of time for downloading or viewing images, you can power the camera using the supplied AC-L15A AC power adapter. The AC adapter also allows you to charge the battery in the camera.

Recording Images

Shooting Modes: Using the Mode Dial, you can choose one of the following shooting modes:

• Auto Adjustment Mode: The camera automatically adjusts the focus, exposure and white balance. Image quality is set to Fine.
• Program: Auto shooting with manual adjustments for focus and exposure. You can access functions from the menu.
• Shutter Speed Priority: You select the shutter speed, the camera makes other adjustments. Functions available from the menu.
• Aperture Priority: You select the aperture value, the camera makes other adjustments. Functions available from the menu.
• Manual Exposure: You can manually adjust the shutter speed and aperture value. Functions available from the menu.
• Scene Selection: You can select from the following modes to shoot according to the scene conditions. (Functions available from the menu):
  • Twilight: For shooting a distant night view. Tripod recommended.
  • Twilight Portrait: For shooting subjects in the foreground at night. Tripod recommended.
  • Landscape: For shooting far away images.
  • Portrait: For photographing people in foreground with blurred background.

Picture Effects: When desired, you can select one of the following picture effects:

• Sepia: The picture is sepia-toned like an old photograph.
• B&W: The picture is recorded in monochrome (black and white).

Advanced Gradation Control System: To improve contrast on a backlit subject, you can activate the AGCS, which will enhance the dynamic range and shadow detail.

Burst Mode: When shooting in the Burst mode, you can record three images in succession when you press and hold down the shutter button. The recording interval is approximately 0.32 second, and the shutter speed varies with the white balance setting. When ISO is between 160 and 400, the shutter speed can be set between 1/2000 and 1/8 second. When ISO is set between 800 and 3200, the shutter speed can be set between 1/2000 and 1/30 second. The flash is not used in the burst mode.

Flash Modes: The DSC-R1 has a pop-up built-in flash, and can be set to the following flash modes:

• Auto: The flash automatically strobes when the surroundings are dark or you are shooting against light.
• Auto with Red-eye Reduction: Reduces red-eye in Auto Mode.
• Forced Flash: The flash strobes regardless of the amount of ambient light.
• Forced Flash with Red-eye Reduction:  Reduces red-eye in Forced Flash Mode.
• Slow Synchro: The shutter speed is slow in a dark place to clearly shoot the background that is out of flash range
• Slow Synchro with Red-eye Reduction:  Reduces red-eye in Slow Synchro Mode.
• No Flash: The flash does not strobe.

Flash Range: The recommended distance using the flash is 19-3/4 inches to 27 feet 10-3/4 inches (zoom set to wide) and 15-3/4 inches to 16 feet 4-7/8 inches (zoom set to telephoto) when ISO is set to Auto.

Flash Level: When Normal flash is too much or not enough, you can increase/decrease the intensity between -2.0EV and +2.0EV in 1/3EV increments.

Optional External Flash: The DSC-R1 is equipped with an advanced accessory shoe to accommodate an external flash, such as the Sony HVL-F1000, HVl-F1100, and the HVL-F32X. When an external flash is in use, the built-in flash becomes inoperable.

ISO Speed: The ISO speed can be set to Auto, 160, 200, 400, 800, 1600, or 3200. When shooting under dark conditions or shooting a fast-moving subject, you should use a high number setting. When recording high-quality images, use a low number setting.

Metering Modes: You can select from the following metering modes:

• Multi-Pattern: The image is divided into multiple regions and metering is performed in each region. The camera judges the subject position and background brightness, and determines a well-balanced exposure.
• Center-weighted Metering: The camera measures the center of the image, and determines the exposure based on the subject.
• Spot Metering: Spot metering lets you adjust the exposure to the subject, even when the subject is a backlit or when there is strong contrast between the subject and the background.

EV Adjustment: You can manually adjust the exposure set by the camera. EV Adjustment lets you obtain the proper exposure when the contrast between the subject and background is extremely large. You can select values from +2.0EV to -2.0EV in steps of 1/3EV.

Histogram/Zebra Pattern: A histogram is a graph showing the brightness of the image. When you turn on the Zebra pattern, diagonal stripes are displayed on the portion of the image where the brightness level is too high. You can use the histogram or the zebra pattern to adjust the exposure to an acceptable level.

Slow Shutter Noise Reduction: During long exposures (longer than 1/25 second), the camera captures two exposures with each press of the shutter button. The first one captures the scene, and the second captures the noise pattern of the imager with a dark frame exposure. The NR Slow Shutter mode combines both images, reduces the noise, and gives you a clear image.

Exposure Bracketing: In addition to an image with the exposure automatically set by the camera, two other images are recorded with exposure values one step over-exposed and one step under-exposed. You can choose a bracket step of 1.0EV, 0.7EV or 0.3EV. The recording interval is approximately 0.32 seconds.

White Balance: When the white balance is set to auto, the white balance is set automatically in response to the condition of the subject, and the overall color balance is adjusted. When shooting under special lighting conditions, you can select the settings manually. The White Balance settings (and color temperature settings in parentheses) are as follows:

• Auto: adjusts the white balance automatically (about 3400-7000 K)
• Daylight: adjusts for outdoors, shooting night scenes, neon signs, fireworks, sunrise, or conditions before and after sundown (about 5500 K)
• Cloudy: adjusts for a cloudy sky (about 6500 K)
• Fluorescent: adjusts for fluorescent lighting (about 4000 K)
• Incandescent: adjusts for places where the lighting conditions change quickly, such as a party hall, or under bright lighting such as a photography studios (about 3200 K)
• Flash: adjusts for the flash conditions (about 6000 K)
• One Push: adjusts the white balance depending on the light source (about 2000-10000 K)
• One Push Set: memorizes the basic white color which will be used in the One Push mode.

Approximate Recording Capacity: The number of images that can be saved in Fine (Standard) image quality:

Viewing, Editing and Printing Images

Viewing Images: Still and moving images can be played back on the camera's color LCD screen, or the images may be transferred to a computer, where they can be displayed or manipulated with the use of compatible software. In addition, the images can be played back on a television (NTSC or PAL), if the television has an RCA composite video input.

Index Mode: In addition to viewing images one-by-one in full screen, you can view multiple images at once in the index mode. This feature lets you to display nine images at a time, allowing you to easily find the image you want.

Slide Show: The Slide Show function lets you play back images one after the other. The interval between the pictures can be adjusted, allowing you to choose 3, 5, 10, and 30 seconds or 1 minute. You can select Folder play (all images in the selected folder) or All play (all images on the recording medium). When repeat is selected, the images are replayed in a continuous loop.

Deleting/Protecting Images: You can delete a selected image, or you can delete all the unprotected images at once. In order to avoid accidentally deleting an image, it can be protected.

Playback Zoom: You can enlarge a recorded still image up to five times the size of the original image. You can also record the enlarged item as a new file (Trimming). To select the area to be enlarged, you can move the enlargement "frame" up/down/left/right with the multi-selector, and adjust the zoom.

Resizing Images: After an image is captured, you can resize the picture and save it as a new file.The original image is retained even after resizing.

Print Mark: You can place a print mark on images recorded with this camera. This mark is convenient when you print images on a PictBridge-compatible printer or have images printed from a memory card at a shop that conforms to the DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) standard.

PictBridge Printing Capability: Using the supplied USB cable, you can connect this camera directly to a PictBridge-compliant printer without going through a computer. You can print single images as well as multiple prints in the index mode.

Exif Print (Exif 2.21): The DSC-R1 conforms to "Exif Print", a worldwide standard. Vital camera settings (such as: exposure mode, white balance, exposure time) and scene data are recorded to the image file when it is captured. Printers compatible with "Exif Print" are able to use this information to produce high quality photographs, exactly the way they were intended at the time of capture. This intelligent communication process also allows the printer to correct for poor lighting or mistakes, resulting in photos that can be even better than the originals.

PRINT Image Matching III: PRINT Image Matching III (P.I.M. III), the newest version of a technology developed by Seiko Epson Corporation, ensures that P.I.M. III-enabled digital cameras and printers work together perfectly to produce the best possible prints. After an image is captured, the camera automatically tags the picture with numerous optimal image settings and includes it as part of the Exif Print header in the JPEG file. A P.I.M. III-enabled photo printer reads and utilizes the information in order to make the most accurate print. Note: Cameras with P.I.M. III are completely backward-compatible with printers with the original P.I.M. and P.I.M. II technology.

Supplied Software

Software: The camera includes the following programs on CD-ROM:

• USB Driver: Allows you to view images on your computer (not needed when using Windows XP)
• PicturePackage for Sony (Ver.1.6): Allows you to view images saved on your computer, store images on a CD-R, create a music video or slide show, or print images. (Windows only)
• Pixela ImageMixer VCD2: Allows you to copy images to your computer and create a Video CD. (Macintosh only.)
• Image Data Converter SR (Ver.1.0): Allows you to convert RAW file data into images for storage or printing. (Windows and Macintosh)

Minimum System Requirements: