The RX1 features the same 24.3-million-pixel imaging sensor as the SLT-A99 (also announced today), and Bionz processor for 14-bit raw output.
The RX1 houses a fixed 35mm f/2 Carl Zeiss T* optic with a 9-blade aperture.
Manual rings on the lens allow aperture and focus adjustment, and macro mode selection for focusing down to 20cm.
The standard ISO range of 100-25,600 can be expanded to 50-10,2400.
Also featured is Full 1080p HD video with manual control.
The rear screen is a 3in 1229k-dot unit, and though there is no viewfinder included, an optional EVF or optical unit can be attached to the hotshoe.
The RX1 will be available in December at an expected price of around £2,600.
Sony has also announced a Handycam that shares the same 24.3-million-pixel full-frame sensor.
The NEX-VG900E will be available in November, priced around £3,000.
Today’s announcements give Sony a full-frame camera in the three main categories.
[Editing by C Cheesman]
Picture: Sony imaging sensors on show at a press event in Iceland
[Photo credit: Mat Gallagher]
FULL PRESS RELEASE, AS SUPPLIED BY SONY EUROPE:
12/09/2012 05:00
Cyber-shotTM DSC-RX1 from Sony is world’s first compact camera with 35mm full-frame 24.3 effective megapixel
sensor
l Full-frame imaging from a compact camera that’s drastically smaller and lighter than any full-frame DSLR l ExmorTM CMOS sensor with approximately 24.3 effective megapixels for flawless, detail-packed photos and Full HD video l Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 35mm F2 prime lens; with Macro mode for 20cm minimum focusing distance l Extremely wide sensitivity range from ISO 100 – 25600 l Intuitive manual controls with aperture and focus mode dial l New Multi Interface Shoe compatible with optional flash, electronic viewfinder, optical viewfinder and clip-on LCD monitor
You’d never have believed it was possible. Now photo enthusiasts can explore the creative possibilities of full-frame imaging with a compact digital camera that fits easily in the palm of your hand.
The extraordinary new Cyber-shotTM DSC-RX1 from Sony realises the dream of photographers everywhere. Just 482g (with battery and memory card), it packs a 35mm full-frame sensor and wide aperture F2 fixed-focal lens into a camera body that’s perfectly proportioned for travel and street photography as well as portraits and day-to-day shooting.
Far smaller and lighter than any full-frame DSLR, the Cyber-shotTM RX1 offers superb imaging quality that’s previously been the domain of high-end professional DSLR cameras. The unified lens/body design assures razor-sharp alignment of the sensor and optical components. This brings out the full potential of the lens to deliver unprecedented image quality, right to the very edges of each frame. Full manual control options are complemented by effortlessly intuitive operation, making it easy for enthusiasts to realise their creative vision without sacrificing portability or operating comfort.
In a world first1 for digital compact cameras, the Cyber-shotTM RX1 features a 35mm full-frame Exmor CMOS sensor. With a resolution of 24.3 effective megapixels, it’s over twice the area of the APS-C sensor inside much bulkier DSLR cameras. Capable of resolving the finest image details and subtle
textures, the full-frame sensor assures absolute fidelity, rich colours and an impressively broad dynamic range. The large sensor size also helps boost the camera’s sensitivity range to a generous ISO 100 – 25600. Sensitivity can be adjusted as low as ISO 50 in
expanded mode2. Similarly, ISO settings as high as 102400 can be achieved using Multi Frame Noise Reduction. This allows the Cyber-shotTM RX1 to capture natural, low noise handheld images in near-dark conditions without needing flash.
Complementing the full-frame sensor is a fast, bright Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* lens with a fixed focal length of 35mm – a versatile choice for portraits, street photography and everyday shooting. Derived from the German word “Sonne” (“sun”), the Sonnar name reflects the ability of the lens to capture as much light as possible. This premium lens features newly designed optics including an Advanced Aspherical (AA) glass element. This contributes to the camera’s extremely compact palm-sized dimensions without sacrificing optical performance.
The lens’s wide F2 maximum aperture and 9-bladed circular aperture enable beautiful ‘bokeh’ (defocus) effects to rival professional-class DSLR camera lenses. A Macro switching ring on the lens barrel instantly shortens minimum focusing distance to just 20cm (from image plane), making the Cyber-shotTM RX1 ideal for capturing small close-up subjects with exquisite detail.
Data from the Exmor CMOS sensor is handled by the evolved BIONZ engine that also powers full-resolution burst shooting at up to 5 frames per second. The BIONZ processor can output image data in 14-bit RAW format, giving advanced users immense freedom over developing, post- processing and managing RAW files to match their personal creative vision.
Despite the camera’s extraordinarily compact dimensions, photographers are offered a virtually limitless palette of options for creative expression. The Cyber-shotTM RX1 offers a full range of manual control modes, just as you’d expect from a no-compromise DSLR camera.
Dedicated lens rings allow fingertip control of focus and aperture, while a DSLR-style Focus mode dial on the front of the camera allows easy switching between focus modes. Top-mounted exposure compensation and mode dials are ergonomically placed for easy operation, while custom function and AEL buttons fall comfortably to hand without interrupting your creative flow.
Accessed via the camera’s pro-style control dial and cross keys, Quick Navi mode allows fast, intuitive adjustment of camera settings: it’s ideal when using the camera with an optional viewfinder. As a further enthusiast-oriented touch, there’s a memory recall (MR) mode that allows storage and instant recall of up to three sets of camera settings.
Other refinements include a MF Assist function that magnifies a portion of your image to simplify fine focus adjustments. There’s also a pro-style Peaking function that highlights sharply-focused areas of the image on screen. Adding the optional FDA-EV1MK electronic viewfinder kit allows even greater manual focusing precision.
By Pixel Super Resolution Technology allows magnification of image size without sacrificing pixel count – maintaining far higher quality than achievable with conventional digital zoom. There’s also a Smart Teleconverter function that crops a central portion of the image sensor, boosting effective magnification by 1.4x or 2x. Thanks to the full-frame sensor’s extremely high pixel count, even zoomed and cropped images maintain generous amounts of fine detail when blown up at large print sizes.
In addition to flawless stills, the Cyber-shotTM RX1 can capture high-quality, low-noise Full HD movie footage at a choice of 50p/60p or 25p/24p (progressive) frame rates. 24p recording enables the Cyber-shot RX1 to transform everyday scenes into film-like movies. It’s easy to record beautifully atmospheric video in very low lighting, such as at dusk. There’s a full complement of PASM exposure modes to give photographers absolute creative flexibility during video shooting.
Artistically ambitious photographers can fine-tune images with a choice of 13 Creative Styles, plus a wide range of inspiring ‘PC-free’ Picture Effect treatments.
Even wider compositional possibilities are offered by Auto HDR and D-Range Optimiser, bracket shooting (Exposure, DRO or White Balance) and Auto HDR shooting modes. There’s also a Digital Level Gauge that indicates camera pitch and camera roll on the LCD screen for straight, even horizons and architectural shots.
Shooting possibilities for stills and video are broadened by the camera’s Multi Interface Shoe3 that accepts a growing range of accessories. Options include a powerful flash, electronic viewfinder, optical viewfinder, clip-on LCD monitor. Also available are a high-quality jacket case, lens hood and
thumb grip for sure, comfortable handling. Learn more about official accessories by Sony for the Cyber-shotTM RX1 here:
www.sony.co.uk/hub/cyber-shot-digital-cameras/accessories
The Cyber-shotTM RX1 comes preinstalled with PlayMemories Home (Lite Edition) software, allowing easy image transfers to a PC for managing, editing and printing. Available for free download, a full version of PlayMemories Home adds movie editing and disc burning.
Also available as a free download, PlayMemories Studio allows game-like editing of photos and videos on PlayStation®3. Images can be shared easily via PlayMemories Online, the cloud-based sharing service from Sony that simplifies ‘any time, any place’ viewing on a wide range of connected devices.
The new Cyber-shotTM RX1 full-frame digital compact camera from Sony is available in Europe from December 2012.
1 Among compact digital still cameras. According to Sony research, as of September 12, 2012. 2 Recordable dynamic range is reduced at sensitivity levels below ISO100.
3 The Cyber-shotTM RX1 is equipped with Sony’s newly-developed Multi Interface Shoe. This is capable of accommodating various accessories for photo and movie shooting such as flash and microphones, while drawing power from the camera. It is also compatible with Sony accessories that use
the standard ISO 518 accessory shoe. The Multi Interface Shoe was developed as a common shoe for imaging products by Sony – such as digital still cameras, digital video cameras and interchangeable lens cameras – promoting compatibility among accessories and offering an enhanced shooting experience for users.
About Sony
Offering an integrated entertainment experience through its electronics, mobile, music, pictures, game and the Sony Entertainment Network, Sony is
Also available as a free download, PlayMemories Studio allows game-like editing of photos and videos on PlayStation®3. Images can be shared easily via PlayMemories Online, the cloud-based sharing service from Sony that simplifies ‘any time, any place’ viewing on a wide range of connected devices.
The new Cyber-shotTM RX1 full-frame digital compact camera from Sony is available in Europe from December 2012.
1 Among compact digital still cameras. According to Sony research, as of September 12, 2012. 2 Recordable dynamic range is reduced at sensitivity levels below ISO100.
3 The Cyber-shotTM RX1 is equipped with Sony’s newly-developed Multi Interface Shoe. This is capable of accommodating various accessories for photo and movie shooting such as flash and microphones, while drawing power from the camera. It is also compatible with Sony accessories that use
the standard ISO 518 accessory shoe. The Multi Interface Shoe was developed as a common shoe for imaging products by Sony – such as digital still cameras, digital video cameras and interchangeable lens cameras – promoting compatibility among accessories and offering an enhanced shooting experience for users.
About Sony
Offering an integrated entertainment experience through its electronics, mobile, music, pictures, game and the Sony Entertainment Network, Sony is uniquely positioned to be one of the world’s leading consumer brands. Sony is renowned for its audio-visual products in both the consumer and professional markets, such as the BRAVIATM LCD high-definition (HD) television, Cyber-shotTM digital camera, Handycam® camcorder, “α” (pronounced Alpha) digital SLR camera, XperiaTM Tablet and Walkman® MP3 player as well as its VAIOTM personal computers and 3D HD professional broadcast equipment.
For more information on Sony Europe, please visit www.sony-europe.com. For more information on Sony Corporation please visit www.sony.net “Sony”, “WALKMAN”, “VAIO”, “Cyber-shot”, “Handycam”, “α”, “BRAVIA” and “Xperia” are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Corporation. All
other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
