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This was one of the most anticipated digital cameras of 2005 and it arrived in November for under $999. The just-introduced 12.8MP Canon EOS 5D ($3,299) was the other object de lust since it's the world's “smallest and lightest” full frame D-SLR. With full frame cameras there's no “digital factor” so all lenses including fish-eyes are their true focal lengths. Before the 5D you'd have to spend seven grand to get this convenience. At this price the 5D is targeted to very serious photographers; the DSC-R1 is for mere mortals.

What makes this Sony so unique is its 10.3MP CMOS sensor (3888 x 2592 pixels) that's far greater than price-competitive D-SLRs with their “puny” 6- and 8-megapixel sensors. Also of tremendous importance is the fact the imaging device is much bigger than those found in typical point-and-shoot cameras. One of the biggest issues in digital camera land today is the fact 8- and 9-megapixel compact digicams have major issues with digital noise once ISO settings increase. Without going into a boring riff on sensor technology, smaller sensors cram pixels onto 2/3-inch or smaller pieces of silicon. With D-SLRs and the Sony DSC-R1, sensor size is referred to as APS class (Advanced Photo System) that is 21.5mm x 14.4mm in the case of the R1. Simply put these larger sensors deliver improved picture quality. Personally I've been much more impressed with 6MP D-SLRs such as the Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D with their APS-sized sensors than point-and-shoot 8MPs like the Panasonic DMC-FZ30 with a 1/1.8-inch CCD. Nothing against the companies involved; it's just physics.

Sony has now brought APS-sized sensors to point-and-shoot digicams for a price slightly more than a Maxxum 5D, Canon Rebel XT or Nikon D50 kit. Also of note: with this new technology you can also frame your images on the 2-inch LCD screen, something no D-SLR can offer. There are lots of other improvements as well. Now should you hold off buying a D-SLR until you get your hands on the DSC-R1? Check out our take...

Sony DSC-R1 CMOS Sensor

Bigger is definitely better when it comes to the size of digicam imaging devices. At left is the 2/3-inch CCD of the 8MP Sony DSC-F828 while the APS-size 10.3MP CMOS sensor of the DSC-R1 is at right. Sony claims 2.5 times the dynamic range and 5 times the sensitivity for the new imager.

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User ReviewsMore User Reviews...

by Chris on November 2, 2006:

“Camera's results largely deliver on the promise of the lens (especially) and other technology packed into a relatively compact & handy package. At the limits, however, there are a few issues. Strong or specular highlights can yield a pebble-like texture even...” More...

by ali on October 23, 2006:

“I but this R1 after i got rid of my canon rebel xt The images i am getting with R1 is way better than rebel xt. with rebel xt, if i could get 50 percent nice image in a trip, i would have been really happy but with R1, almoust all photos are great.Note that...” More...

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