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I recently bought this camera as an upgrade from my Sony 8.0 MP 828. This is my third Sony SLR-like camera, with my first one being the 5 MP 717. I upgraded to this one in order to get photos that were as clear and as sharp as possible from the miniature items that I buy and sell. As I found with the 828 when upgrading from the 717, there was a significant learning curve over previous cameras. However, now with my third Sony camera, I've discovered that the learning curve lasts for about a month - then one can start taking photos with good results. The learning curve with the R1 was as predicted. Out of the box, the camera is impressive, if only just in size! It is probably double the weight (or at least close) to a 717, and is probably 25% larger than the 828. The lens is a whopping 67mm - a full increment larger than the 828. The next thing you notice on the camera is the lack of an LCD viewfinder, which Sony took off the camera and placed on an adjustable screen on top of the camera. Quite novel. A quick walk around the camera shows that Sony learned from the cumbersomeness of the 828 with regard to adjustments on the camera and made the R1 very "user friendly." The camera is easy to hold (though heavy) with one hand, and the photographer is able to make the adjustments with his other - definitely making it two-handed operation. It seems that just about everything has a button on the back or side of the camera, and once you learn where everything is, it is easy to change the exposure, etc., with just a quick adjustment. For what I do (and if you're planning to use it for eBay sales for small objects, this is something to keep in mind) the major initial drawback was the focus length of the camera. Unlike the 828, where you could be within inches of the object and shoot beautiful closeups, this camera requires at least a foot, if not more, in order to focus. Once you get it to the right focal length (and after the purchase of a macro filter - a must have) the shots are glorious. HOWEVER, what does a long focal length with detailed photos mean? You MUST have the camera stabilized (tripod, etc.) in order to get good shots. Hand-held detail shots are a no-go with this camera. Also, if you like to take .mpg movies through your camera, you'll be disappointed. This camera does not have that capability. As far as plusses, the camera is super high quality, and is relatively easy to use. The lens is fantastic, and the rest of the camera seems to be as equal in quality. I've gotten used to the LCD viewfinder, and have been able to use it for some great shots that I might not of otherwise been able to view with the fixed viewfinder. Would I buy another? I'm not sure. I'm a fan of getting new toys, so I had to have it. However, I think my 828 may take better (or at least easier) close up shots. I must admit that I haven't taken this camera on a road trip just yet to take outdoor photos, and I can only imagine that with the lens and processor that it will be terrific. My word of advice would be: if you HAVE to have the highest-end quasi-SLR, then this camera is for you. Overall, I'm happy with this camera, but I just don't know if it might just be worthwhile moving over to the quality SLRs that don't cost much more than this, such as the Canon 20D. Though I'll happily use this camera for now, I believe that my next upgrade will be to a quality SLR.Read full review
General As a point-and-shoot camera, this really rocks. The big sensor and the nice Carl Zeiss lens (24-120mm f/2.8-4.8) is by itself a top feature, and the APS-C sensor makes it even better. Image Quality But, the sharpening algorithm seems to introduce artifacts in the image. I now shoot with sharpening turned to the lowest setting. Shooting in RAW is a good option and some landscape pictures shot with it come out terrific, with good pixel-resolution. RAW or JPEG But, each RAW is 15-20MB and takes several seconds to write. So, you'll be waiting between shots as well as running out of memory faster. I tried 3 CF cards but the camera wouldn't read any of them, so I stuck with my 4GB Memorystick. Build and Handling Very solidly built and lots of buttons for common functions - beautiful. Big and bulky, but if this is the only camera you're taking on a hike or trip, it works really really well. The tilt-LCD is very nice to have, but I wish it'd flip in more angles. Summary I like this camera a lot, and it is one of the best point-and-shoot cameras I've ever used. It does suffer from shutter lag which all non-SLR digital cameras suffer from. It has so many advanced features and for the prices it is being sold at (used) these days - I'd say it is a steal. Don't want a SLR camera, but want something more than a P&S - go for the R1.Read full review
I have owned many of these cameras over the years. Every so often, I decide to buy a new camera, maybe one with twice the resolution and pixel count as the R1 try them for a little while, and end up coming back to ebay for another R1. The just perform!! The colors are warm, the pictures are crisp and full of detail. I currently own two of these.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This camera was 1st on the market in 2004. Now it's 2015 and it's like a good wine. Better with age. It was ahead of it's time with an APSc sensor . The dials are laid out well and easy to use in a fast paced situation. The files can be saved as Raw files and or raw +jpge. Yes, it has an older processor but I am enjoying photography again with this camera
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Recognizing that the world is going digital when it comes to photography, I decided that now was probably the time to begin considering a digital camera. While I had had some experience with Canon point and shoot digital cameras like the A430 I quickly came to realize the benefits and possibilities found with owning and using a digital camera. Having read numerous reviews on point and shoots, prosumers and DSLRs the choice of what type to get was quickly resolved based on quality of image, price and features. Despite coming across sites trying to dispell the supposed misconceptions about megapixels and the thought that a 5 or 6MP camera would do a wonderful job taking photos, I soon put two and two together to discover that if I ever planned on printing 8x10 photos I would require the highest possible megapixel number that was possible. Of course, while DSLRs by Canon and Nikon have broken the 10MP threshold with offerings of 12+ and 16.7MP in the case of the Canon 1Ds Mark II, they carry a hefty price tag of $5000+ from reputable dealers. Anything cheaper, in the form of a DSLR would mean sacrificing features and build quality. The other thing to consider was the cost of accessories. DSLRs rarely if ever come with lenses; if they are included as a kit package, they are always of lesser quality and do not provide the wide range of focal lengths needed for the amateur photographer who wants pictures like the pros but isn't being paid for their work. Issues related to the size of image sensors found in point and shoots quickly became a bone of contention. While they are highly portable, almost to a fault, the miniscule size of their sensor means that image noise at ISOs of more than 100 makes printing and enlarging the images futile. You'll wonder how that 'snow' ended up in your photos from the beach. While they may be had for relative peanuts, point and shoots are suitable for only the most casual of photog, someone who rarely uses a camera and isn't interested in printing images larger than 4x6, if that. In my case, prosumers filled the void. They offer the possibility of near identical build and lens quality and features found in high end DSLRs as well as point and shoot presets that make convenience possible. Offerings from Minolta, Fujifilm and others prove to be some of the cheapest prosumers available ($600 and under) but as the adage goes, you get what you pay for. In these cases this means high noise levels at relatively low ISOs (~400), smaller than suitable sensor size, poor lenses and less than desired build quality. The SONY DSC R1 ended up being everything and then some for what I wanted in my first digital camera. A top shelf Carl Zeiss lens with the widest 24mm lens available in a prosumer. Telephoto to 120mm gives you more than enough range for everyday shots. I won't go into the rest of the features available on the camera since they are too numerous to fully detail in this space and are described virtually everywhere on the net. Suffice it to say that this camera could and would act as a highly competent backup for a professional photographer or an equally capable stand-alone for an amateur like me. Being FAT32 compatible with dual memory capability (MS Pro/Pro Duo, CF II) plugging in an 8GB Seagate photo drive/microdrive is a cinch and offers very reasonable space for the hefty 5MB HQ jpgs taken with this camera. Lest I forget, let me mention that a major selling point is the camera's ability to take RAW images.Read full review
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