Sony DSC-R1

Reviewed December 2005

Ergonomics

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1 is a ground-breaking bridge camera, using a 10.3 megapixel CMOS sensor developed by Sony. The camera is equipped with a 5X optical zoom from Carl Zeiss that has a focal length equivalent to a 24 to140 mm, a 2-inch hinged monitor, and an electronic viewfinder (EVF).

The exterior of the DSC-R1 is covered in a tough polycarbonate-type black plastic with a granite texture, covering a metallic skeleton whose presence is betrayed by the relatively heavy weight of the R1 (approximately 1 kilo or 2.2 lbs).

With this camera, Sony has positioned the monitor in an unusual location: on top of the camera section supporting the pop-flash and the EVF.

The monitor, normally positioned face down on the camera's top so as to protect the screen, is mounted on a hinge that allows it to be lifted up 90° so it can be seen from the back of the camera; or pivoted so that it can be seen when facing the camera (the display is then flipped horizontally so that it is legible); or rotated 180° once raised vertically so that it can be pushed back flat down on the R1's top, a position that is very reminiscent of old medium format cameras such as the Rolleiflex.

The monitor's screen measures 2 inches diagonally (5 cm) and is composed of 135,000 pixels.

The Cyber-shot DSC-R1 is also equipped with an electronic viewfinder that has a a large exit pupil wrapped with a generous rubber eyepiece, making it comfortable to use, even with eyeglasses. Moreover, it includes a diopter corrector, the lever for which is positioned underneath the exit pupil, making it difficult to change its setting accidentally while handling the camera. The exit pupil and its rubber eyepiece protrude from the camera's back back by 3 cm (1.3 in), an added factor in its ease of use as one's nose is well clear of the R1's back while using the viewfinder.

The EVF measures 1.1 cm diagonally (0.44 in) and is composed of 235,200 pixels.

Both displays provide a smooth image thanks to a 30 frames per second refresh rate.

The grip is topped with a chromed shutter release, inclined towards the front so as to make it fall naturally under the index finger. The On/Off switch is positioned around it, and ON is indicated by a green LED.

Directly behind the shutter release and flush mounted to the grip's top, a small button labelled ISO serves to select the sensitivity of the R1's CMOS sensor (Auto, 160, 200, 400, 800, 1600 and 3200 ISO) without having to use the menu. Once the button is pressed, the sensitivity setting which is, along with other settings, superimposed on the lower part of the display, turns yellow indicating that it can be modified using the Command Dial (see further).

The rear section of the grip supports a flash hotshoe with 5 contacts designed specifically for the Sony HVL-32X flash unit. Nevertheless, it can also be used with the HVL-1000, through the accessory jack, albeit without the benefits of the HVL-32X.

Moving to the back of the R1, the top right supports the Main Command Dial. With the R1 set to a capture mode, the Main Command Dial is used to adjust camera settings, or change aperture or shutter speed, or choose an alternate combination of aperture and shutter speed than the one selected by the Program mode. And with the R1 in Playback mode, the Main Command Dial serves to switch from one image to another.

The Screen Status button is embedded directly below the Main Command Dial, and it serves to control the type of information superimposed on the display:

To the left of the Screen Status button is the AE-Lock which acts as an toggle switch (pressed once it locks the exposure parameters, releasing them when pressed a second time). And with the camera set to the Playback mode, the button serves to delete unwanted images, as indicated by the icon.

Immediately to the right of the EVF's exit pupil a button labelled engages the R1's Playback mode, presenting first the last image to be captured and allowing access to the Playback menu (see the Characteristics section for more information about this menu).

Below is the Sub-command Dial which encircles the joystick that Sony calls the Multi-selector. While the Sub-command Dial is deactivated in the Auto shooting mode, it serves to set exposure compensation (over a range of ±2EV in 1/3 EV increments) when the camera is set to P, A, S, or to one of the Scene modes.

And, with the R1 set to the Manual mode the Sub-command Dial controls the aperture while the Main Command Dial controls the shutter speed. Furthermore, when used in conjunction with the WB (white balance) button (see further) the Sub-command dial can be used to fine-tune the white balance.

With the camera set to the Playback mode the Sub-command Dial can be used to zoom into an image (up to 5X) and return to a full-screen display. Finally, when images are being displayed as thumbnails (index display), the dial serves to go from the current index screen to the previous or next index screen.

The joystick-like Multi-selector on the other hand, serves to navigate the menus and confirm selections when pressed straight in. However, when pressed straight in and without the menu on screen, the control serves to select the way the Auto focus functions, and serves to select the focus point if the Flexible Spot AF option is selected:

• Multi-point AF: lets the R1 select the focus point or points from 5 points clustered near the centre of the frame.
• Centre AF: focuses at the centre of the frame exclusively.
• Flexible Spot AF: allows moving the focus point to any point in the frame.

Below the Sub-command Dial and the Multi-selector, a small round button labelled MENU displays the menu that corresponds to the active mode. In addition, when the Menu button is held for more than 1.5 second it accesses the Setup menu directly (see both the Characteristics and Interface and Software sections of the review for more details on these menus and their contents).

To the right of the Menu button, a switch serves to select the memory card format since the DSC-R1 is compatible with both Memory Stick and CompactFlash.

The Mode Dial and six other external controls are arranged below the EVF's exit pupil. The Mode Dial itself has 9 settings, each corresponding to a capture mode:

	Set to Auto mode the camera handles almost everything, leaving the user the choice of the flash mode, the macro mode, the self-timer, and the image size and quality.
	Set to the Program mode, the camera selects the aperture and shutter speed, but alternative combinations can be selected by the user, as well as just about every other photographic parameter.

	Set to the Shutter Priority mode the user can select the shutter speed from a range that covers from 1/2000 second down to 30 seconds, while the camera attempts to match it to an aperture.
	Set to the Aperture Priority mode the user can choose an aperture between f2.8 and f16 when the zoom is set to the widest angle, and f4.8 and f16 at the maximum telephoto, while the R1 selects an appropriate shutter speed.
	Set to Manual mode, the user can choose from the same range of apertures as are available with the A mode, while the shutter speed range available with the S mode is augmented with a Bulb setting that has a 3-minute maximum. Worth noting, the Bulb mode opens the shutter when the shutter release is pressed once and stopped when pressed a second time, while this makes it marginally more practical than having to hold the shutter release during the exposure, the optional remote control should be used to avoid camera shake.
	The Twilight mode allows a maximum exposure time of 2 seconds, and the camera should be stabilized when the mode is used. The flash is forced off, and sensitivity is set to 160 ISO. Noise reduction is automatically applied to the image after capture. The user retains control over the white balance, but the Macro focus mode is cancelled.
	The Twilight Portrait is similar to the Twilight mode, but sets the flash to Slow Synch with red-eye reduction. The user can also select Slow synch without red-eye reduction, and can choose white balance settings from Auto, Flash, or User-set.
	The Landscape mode has a shutter speed range that covers from 1/8 second to 1/2000 second. While the camera prevents access to the Macro mode, the user still retains control over the Flash mode (Forced On, Forced Off and Forced On with Red-eye Reduction), the White Balance and the Burst and Bracketing modes. Sensitivity however is set to auto, allowing the camera to adjust it over a range of 160 to 400 ISO.
	The Portrait mode also offers a shutter speed range of 1/8 second to 1/2000 second but gives preference to a wide aperture to limit the depth of field and blur the background behind the subject. Sensitivity is set to Auto, allowing the camera to adjust it between 160 and 400 ISO.

Moving to the right of the Mode Dial, a switch labelled MONITOR offers 2 settings, both of which affect the way the EVF and monitor show the subject about to be photographed:

• Framing: automatically adjusts the brightness of the display, making it possible to frame the shot under low light conditions.
• Preview: acts like a DOF Preview button, changing the brightness of the display according to the settings for aperture and shutter speed.

And to the right of the Monitor switch, another switch controls the selection of the EVF or the monitor:

• Finder: makes the EVF active.
• Auto: selects the active display by detecting whether the user's eye is near the EVF — the camera uses a proximity sensor — or the monitor.
• LCD: makes the monitor active.

Below these two switches is a row of 4 round buttons, directly above the R1's speaker. Starting on the left, the first button serves to:

select the Metering mode: Multi, divides the frame into multiple regions and measures each region creating an average that takes all parts of the frame into account. Centre-weighted, measures the entire frame but gives greater importance to the reading obtained at the centre. Spot, meters the centre of the frame, indicating the precise metering point with a a small cross at the centre of the monitor.

The Focus Switch is below, providing three positions and equipped with a button at the centre — Push Auto — that can be used to have the camera instantly auto focus when it is being used in the manual mode:

The DSC-R1 is equipped with a powerful built-in flash that opens automatically. With the R1's sensitivity set to Auto, the flash is rated as having a reach of 8.5 m (28 ft) when the zoom is at the wide angle end, and 5 m (16 ft) when the zoom is at the telephoto setting.

Although the flash opens up and towards the front, it cannot be used when the camera is set to the Macro mode with the zoom at the wide angle setting as the lens casts a shadow.

The Cyber-shot DSC-R1 has a number of external controls and buttons, but these are well-placed and sufficiently spaced apart to be comfortable to use. Remembering the location of these controls is easy, and the fact that many work in combination with the Main Command Dial makes it easier.

The manual zoom ring is also well-designed. It gives a smooth and fluid control over the lens, and provides a secure place for the left hand, helping in stabilizing the weight of the camera.