Sony today announced details of its new Cyber-shot DSC-RX1, the world's first compact camera with a 35mm full-frame sensor. The 24.3-megapixel camera features a fixed focal length 35mm f2 prime lens with a minimum focusing distance in macro mode of 20cm.
The sensor in the RX1 measures 35.8 x 23.9mm and is believed to be the same as the sensor used in the Alpha A99 DSLR, which was also announced today.
The camera can manage full-resolution burst shooting at up to five frames per second and output image data in 14-bit RAW format.
Aimed at advanced photographers the RX1 offers a good selection of manual controls including a traditional around-the-lens aperture and manual focus rings. Exposure compensation and mode dials are located on the top of the camera while custom function and AEL buttons are located in the thumb position on the back of the camera above a thumbwheel and the usual menu, playback and delete buttons.
A focus mode dial on the front of the camera allows easy switching between focus modes. In MF Assist mode a portion of an image is magnified to simplify fine focus adjustments. Video-style peaking focus is also available.
Using the sensor's high pixel count, a 'Smart Tele-converter' function crops a central portion of the image sensor, boosting effective magnification by 1.4x or 2x. Sony claims that zoomed and cropped images maintain 'generous amounts of fine detail' when blown up at large print sizes.
The RX1 can shoot Full HD video at a choice of 50p/60p or 25p/24p (progressive) frame rates.
While the camera does not include a built-in viewfinder, optical and electronic viewfinders are available as optional extras.
Sony says the Cyber-shot RX1 will be available in Australia from November with an SRP of $2999.
With optional optical viewfinder (FDA-V1K) and lens hood (LHP-1).
Tech Specs: Cyber-shot DSC-RX1
Price: $2999
Resolution: 24.3 megapixels (effective)
Sensor type: CMOS
Sensor size: 35.8 x 23.9mm
Lens: Carl Zeiss Sonnar T*, 35mm f2 (8 elements in 7 groups with 3 aspherical elements including AA lens)
Monitor: 3-inch (7.5cm), 1,229,000 dots, Xtra Fine TFT
Focus type: Contrast detect
Focus modes: Single shot AF (AF-S), Continuous AF (AF-C), Direct manual focus (DMF), Manual focus (MF)
Focus area: Multi point AF (25 points), centre weighted AF, flexible spot, flexible spot (tracking focus), Flexible spot (face tracking)
Light metering mode: Multi segment, centre weighted, spot
White balance mode: Auto, Daylight, Shade/Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluor (Warm White), Fluor (Cool White), Fluorescent (Day White), Fluor (Daylight), Flash, C. Temp., C. Filter, Custom
Shutter speed: Program Auto (30-1/2000), Aperture Priority (30-1/2000), Shutter Priority (30-1/2000), Manual (Bulb, 30-1/2000)
Sensitivity (still image): ISO 100-25600 (1/3 EV step, expandable to ISO 50/64/80); Auto: ISO 100-25600, selectable with upper / lower limit; Multi Frame NR: Auto (ISO 100-25600, selectable with upper / lower limit), 100-102400 (1EV step)
Continuous shooting: Speed priority continuous mode: Approximately 5 frames per second
Continuous mode: 2.5 fps (AF-S)
Image control: Creative Style, Quality (RAW, RAW&JPEG, Extra fine/Fine/Standard), Long Exposure NR (On/Off), High ISO NR (Normal/Low/off), Multi Frame NR
Shooting modes: Program Auto (Program shift available), Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual, MR (Memory Recall) 1 / 2 / 3, Movie, Sweep shooting, Scene Selection, Intelligent Auto
Creative style modes: Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Clear, Deep, Light, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Night Scene, Autumn Leaves, Black & White, Sepia
Picture effect modes: Toy Camera, Pop Colour, Posterisation, Retro Photo, Soft High-key, Partial Colour, High Contrast Monochrome, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Monochrome, Miniature, Watercolour, Illustration
Flash: GN6 (in metres at ISO 100); Flash modes Auto, Fill-flash, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Off, Wireless,
Other shooting functions: Smart Teleconverter (approx. 1.4x / 2x), Face Detection, Face Registration, Smile Shutter, Quick Navi, Grid Line, Digital Level Gauge (pitch and roll), Exposure Bracketing, White Balance Bracketing, DRO Bracketing, Flash Bracketing, Peaking, MF Assist, Auto Portrait Framing
Recording format: Still Image: JPEG, RAW (Sony ARW 2.3 format) Movie: AVCHD Ver.2.0, MP4
Weight: 482g (with battery and memory card)