Sony Cyber-shot R1 goes megapixel BANANAS

We've got a camera. It does 5.2 megapixels, which if we're being honest, is already way too many megapixels.

The photos come off it about three times the size of our monitor, so any ironic photos we take of our glamorous media friends need to be resized before we upload them to our ironic Flickr lifestyle nu-media photo stream.

Which makes the Cyber-shot R1's 10.3 megapixels just too many damn megapixels:



And there's no way you can take discreet photos of girls with something that big.

LOTS OF COMPLICATED STUFF ABOUT CAMERAS AND LENSES WE'RE NOT GOING TO EVEN PRETEND WE KNOW ABOUT:

SONY ANNOUNCES 10.3 EFFECTIVE MEGAPIXEL DIGITAL STILL CAMERA WITH ZEISS 24mm WIDE-ANGLE LENS

Berlin, 8 September 2005

All-in-One professional quality solution
The Sony Cyber-shot R1 is the world’s first digital still camera that combines 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.

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 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 R1 are razor-sharp with excellent colour and contrast rendition.

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The unique 'short back focus design' of the Cyber-shot 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 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 R1 to be exceptionally fast in use - faster than most other high-end cameras. For example, the Cyber-shot 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 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 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 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.

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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 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 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 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.

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A.G.C.S for rich colours and optimal contrast
The Cyber-shot 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 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 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.