Sony's overview of the Sony RX1
Full frame in your pocket.
We've made the impossible possible. Once considered merely a dream is now a reality that can sit in the palm of your hand. Introducing the revolutionary RX1: The world's first fixed lens digital camera with a full-frame sensor. Take it wherever you go and explore full manual control photography that knows no bounds.
Go full or go home.
This is huge. A whole new world of high-quality images are realized through the 35mm full-frame 24.3MP sensor, a normal sensor range of ISO 100–25600, and a sophisticated balance of high resolving power, gradation and low noise—and it's all in the palm of your hand. The BIONZ® image processor enables 5 fps high-speed continuous shooting and 14-bit RAW image data recording.
Bright f/2.0 Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* lens.
This is definitely not your standard point-and-shoot lens. A newly developed large-diameter f/2.0 Carl Zeiss® Sonnar T* lens with 9 aperture blades delivers refined background defocusing and macro capabilities. A premium multi-layered T* coating also dramatically reduces ghost and flare caused by light reflection.
Full HD 24p video.
It's like a high-end video camera that's as mobile as you. Experience Full HD 24p/60i/60p video with manual control and audio input, plus creative flexibility while shooting movies and stills. Enable the Program Auto (P), Aperture Priority (A), Shutter Speed Priority (S) or Manual Exposure (M) mode for manual shooting and exposure control, plus clear sound recording via the built-in stereo microphone.
Amazing low-light performance.
Now you can capture the mood of the moment without a flash. The combination of the RX1's large 35mm sensor and bright f/2.0 Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* lens with class-leading image processing and noise reduction deliver outstanding low-light performance to capture the moment as you see it.
Ultra-fast focusing speed.
So small, yet so quick. Focus as fast as 0.13 seconds with high speed AF. To improve focusing speed and sensitivity, the Exmor CMOS sensor uses its rapid throughput to deliver high-quality image signals to the camera's BIONZ processor, which provides intelligent response data to a new high speed actuator motor in the lens. The result is fast, accurate focusing speeds.
Add on with a multi-interface shoe.
The RX1 features a newly-developed multi-interface shoe that dramatically expands the camera's compatibility with a variety of accessories and raises its potential for photo and movie shooting. Available accessories include a powerful external flash unit, electronic viewfinder, optical viewfinder, thumb grip and clip-on LCD monitor.
Below are a few RX1 sample images taken by the staff at Wex
You can view more of our RX1 sample images on the Wex Flickr page.
The key features of the Sony RX1 in detail
24.3 MP 35 mm Full Frame Sensor
A whole new world of high-quality images are realized through the 24.3 MP effective 35 mm full-frame sensor, a normal sensor range of ISO 100 – 25600, and a sophisticated balance of high resolving power, gradation and low noise. The BIONZ® image processor enables up to 5 fps high-speed continuous shooting and 14-bit RAW image data recording.
Full HD 24p video
Full HD 24p video with manual control and audio input.¹ For creative flexibility while shooting movies and stills, users can enter Program Auto (P), Aperture Priority (A), Shutter Speed Priority (S) or Manual Exposure (M) mode for manual shooting and exposure control. Enjoy clear sound recording and playback via built-in stereo microphone and mono speaker. Additionally, an optional microphone can be plugged into the camera.
Full frame burst shooting
High speed continuous shooting at up to 5 frames per second (fps) is made possible by the BIONZ® processor and 24 megapixel sensor.
Quick Navi – settings at a glance
Quick Navi enhances direct control of your favorite functions. Pressing the Fn button activates Quick Navi, which allows the user to check camera settings at a glance and promptly change settings without having to search for dedicated menus.
Expandable with multi interface shoe
The multi interface shoe allows easy connection with wide-ranging accessories expanding the range of photographic expression. Available accessories include a powerful external flash unit, electronic viewfinder.
Dual-aspect ratio recording for still images
Capture still images in either 3:2 or 16:9 aspect ratio. This provides the freedom to choose a ratio that matches the scene or the specific shooting purpose.
Four focusing modes
This camera has two Autofocus modes: Single-shot AF (AF-S) or Continuous AF (AF-C), which tracks moving objects. It also has Manual Focus for manual focusing freedom, and Direct Manual Focus (DMF), that first uses autofocusing to focus on the subject, and then allows fast and easy switching to manual focusing for even more precise adjustment.
Creative Style settings
Control how the camera processes your images with 15 finishing styles: Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Clear, Deep, Light, Twilight, Night View, Autumn Leaves, B&W, Sepia, Sunset, Portrait and Landscape. You can even fine-tune contrast, saturation3 , and sharpness to your personal taste.
Face Detection/ Registration technology
The camera can automatically detect and register up to eight individual faces and adjust focus, exposure, white balance and flash to help deliver crisp, properly lit images of family and friends. Can prioritize children or adults.
World’s first fixed lens 35mm camera
The DSC-RX1 is the world’s first fixed lens 35 mm full-frame digital camera which offers an uncompromising design that focuses on an intuitive, user-friendly operation. The camera fits in the palm of a hand and allows users to carry it nearly everywhere to capture any shooting opportunity that arises.
High speed Auto Focus
Focus as fast as 0.13 seconds with high speed AF. To improve focusing speed and sensitivity, the Exmor® CMOS sensor uses its rapid throughput to deliver high-quality image signals to the camera’s BIONZ® processor, which provides intelligent response data to a new high speed actuator motor in the lens. The result is fast, DSLR-like focusing speeds even in low light.
Conveniently placed dial
Quick access to conveniently placed exposure compensation and focus mode dials.
Nine aperture bladesNine aperture blades form a nearly perfect circle throughout the normally used aperture range of F2 to F22, resulting in background defocusing that is smooth and genuinely beautiful.
Auto HDR mode
Captures more scene dynamic range than a single exposure can handle—and more range than photo film. Combines the best highlight detail from one shot, the best mid-tones from a second and the best shadow detail from a third for one incredible shot (up to 6 EV stops), all in a split second. (Recommended for still subjects.)
Capture JPEG files, RAW files, or both
The DSC-RX1 saves pictures as compact JPEG files and/or ultra-high quality RAW files. RAW files save images prior to de-mosaicing, white balance, sharpness and color enhancement. This retains maximum latitude for enhancing the image on your PC.
MF assist and peaking
Manual focus becomes much easier because peaking highlights the edges that are in focus in your choice of three colors (white, red, or yellow). This is especially helpful during macro or portrait photography where your focus setting can make or break your shot.
Sweep Panorama™ Mode
Capture expansive landscapes automatically. Press the shutter, sweep vertically or horizontally. The camera does the rest, continuously shooting images and stitching them together.
Intelligent Scene Recognition mode
Intelligent Scene Recognition (iSCN) Mode automatically detects 33 different types of scenes for photos and 44 scenes for movies, and then selects the appropriate camera settings. In Auto Mode, the camera takes a single shot using the optimal settings. In Advanced Mode, the camera takes a photo with the optimal settings and, if in difficult lighting (low light or back light) immediately takes a second photo with another optimized setting so you can choose which to keep.
Bright F2.0 Carl Zeiss® Sonnar T* lens
Newly developed large-diameter F2.0 Carl Zeiss® Sonnar T* lens delivers refined background defocusing – bokeh, and macro capabilities. A premium multi-layered T* coating also dramatically reduces ghost and flare caused by light reflection
Multi-frame NR
Experience incredible low-light shooting without a flash. The camera captures six images in a fraction of a second. Combining the data from all six, it creates a single image with a reduction in noise equivalent to two additional steps of ISO sensitivity. Sensitivity selectable up to ISO 25600. (Recommended for still subjects.)
Three control lens rings
Full manual operation is intuitive on the RX1. Users can keep their eyes on the subject and concentrate on the composition while comfortably adjusting the dedicated aperture, focusing, and macro switching rings.
Memory recall
MR (memory recall) mode can memorize up to three groups of the user's preferred settings. Settings include zoom magnification, white balance, exposure compensation, shutter speed, drive mode and metering modes. This enables quick switching of settings at the right moment.
3” Xtra Fine LCD™ Display
The 3” (1,229k dots) Xtra Fine LCD™ Display makes it easy to scroll through menus and preview live Picture Effects. WhiteMagic™ technology increases visibility in bright daylight. The large display delivers brilliant-quality still images and movies while enabling easy focusing operation.
Built in pop up flash
Enjoy the convenience of flash photography everywhere you go. Guide number is approximately 6*. Choose from Auto, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Fill-flash and Flash Off modes.
Digital level gauge
Digital level gauge to allow easier leveling of the camera.
Picture Effect mode
Realize your creative potential with Picture Effect, a fun and simple way to convert ordinary landscapes and portraits come to life by heightening mood and emphasizing certain attributes. Effects are Soft Focus, Posterization, Retro Photo, High Contrast Monochrome, Rich-tone Monochrome, Miniature, Soft High-key, Toy Camera, Pop Color, Partial Color, Watercolor Painting, HDR Painting, and Illustration.
Auto portrait framing
Simply photograph a person and Auto Portrait Framing will save an additional, optimally framed image in portrait or landscape orientation. Combining Face Detection and By Pixel Super Resolution technologies with rule of thirds, Auto Portrait Framing provides beautifully composed and appealingly balanced full resolution portraits.
1. Records in 29 minute segments
2. Requires HDTV and HDMI cable sold separately