Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1

Performance
Compared with other high-end prosumer cameras and entry-level dSLRs, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1 performs respectably but not outstandingly. Start-up time is 1.3 seconds, and shot-to-shot time for a small JPEG is less than a second. Shooting in RAW format, it takes 1.9 seconds from one shot to the next, which is good for an EVF model but not competitive with dSLRs such as the Canon EOS 350D and the Nikon D50. Shutter delay using autofocus is 0.4 second with a bright target but increases to 1.2 seconds with a darker, lower-contrast target.

In continuous-drive mode when shooting standard JPEG images, we measured a blazing capture rate of 4.3fps--but you're limited to 3 frames, and you can't use the continuous-drive mode with RAW files, making the DSC-R1 less than ideal for wedding photographers.

The small built-in flash provided relatively even lighting in a completely dark room, and it gave indoor portraits an attractive, gentle glow. .

Shooting performance in seconds
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)

Shutter lag (bright)

Shutter lag (dim)

Canon EOS 350D

0.2 

0.2 

Konica Minolta Dimage A2

0.4 

0.6 

Nikon D50

0.4 

0.9 

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1

0.4 

1.2 

Fujifilm FinePix S9500

0.5 

0.9 

Konica Minolta Dimage A200

0.8 

1.5 

Shooting performance in seconds
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)

Typical shot-to-shot time

Flash shot-to-shot time

Raw shot-to-shot time

Canon EOS 350D

0.3 

N/A 

0.4 

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1

0.9 

1.3 

1.9 

Nikon D50

1.0 

1.2 

1.2 

Konica Minolta Dimage A2

1.0 

2.5 

1.0 

Fujifilm FinePix S9500

1.7 

5.3 

18.4 

Konica Minolta Dimage A200

2.1 

2.4 

4.7 

Image Quality
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1 produced generally excellent images, particularly at lower ISO ratings. Crisp details and nicely balanced colors abounded. Images with limited depth of field looked pleasantly smooth in unfocused areas, and the gradations between light and dark avoided unrealistically harsh contrasts. Except at the highest ISOs, we saw very few unnaturally colored halos or jagged lines.

The DSC-R1 has some of the best high-ISO performance we've seen in this price class. For instance, with most cameras this ISO 1,600 shot would have so much noise your eyes would be unable to resolve the detail of this tabby's fur. But even at 100 percent magnification the R1's shot stands up well to scrutiny.

Our test images came out clean and noise-free at ISO 160, 200, and 400. A handful of colorful speckles showed up in dark areas at ISO 800, but even at ISO 1,600, the grain was relatively innocuous in evenly lit scenes. Images shot at ISO 3,200 were full of multicolored splotches in darker areas--par for the course for digital images at this high sensitivity.

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