New Sony compact camera will full-frame sensor

The large sensor size also helps boost the camera’s sensitivity range to a generous ISO 100 – 25600. Sensitivity can be adjusted as low as ISO 50 in expanded mode and as high as 102400 with Multi Frame Noise Reduction. This allows the Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 to capture natural, low noise handheld images in near-dark conditions without needing flash.

Complementing the full-frame sensor is a fast, bright Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* lens with a fixed focal length of 35mm – a versatile choice for portraits, street photography and everyday shooting. The premium lens features newly designed optics including an Advanced Aspherical (AA) glass element, contributing to the camera’s extremely compact palm-sized dimensions without sacrificing optical performance.

The lens’s wide F2 maximum aperture and 9-bladed circular aperture enable beautiful ‘bokeh’ (defocus) effects to rival professional-class DSLR camera lenses. A Macro switching ring on the lens barrel instantly shortens minimum focusing distance to just 20cm (from image plane), making the Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 ideal for capturing small close-up subjects with exquisite detail.

Data from the Exmor CMOS sensor is handled by the evolved Bionz engine that also powers full-resolution burst shooting at up to 5 frames per second. The Bionz processor can output image data in 14-bit RAW format, giving advanced users immense freedom over developing, post-processing and managing RAW files to match their personal creative vision.

Despite the camera’s extraordinarily compact dimensions, photographers are offered a virtually limitless palette of options for creative expression. The Cyber-shot SC-RX1 offers a full range of manual control modes, just as you’d expect from a no-compromise DSLR camera.

Dedicated lens rings allow fingertip control of focus and aperture, while a DSLR-style Focus mode dial on the front of the camera allows easy switching between focus modes. Top-mounted exposure compensation and mode dials are ergonomically placed for easy operation, while custom function and AEL buttons fall comfortably to hand without interrupting your creative flow.

Accessed via the camera’s pro-style control dial and cross keys, Quick Navi mode allows fast, intuitive adjustment of camera settings: it’s ideal when using the camera with an optional viewfinder. As a further enthusiast-oriented touch, there’s a memory recall (MR) mode that allows storage and instant recall of up to three sets of camera settings.

In addition to flawless stills, the Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 can capture high-quality, low-noise Full HD movie footage at a choice of 50p/60p or 25p/24p (progressive) frame rates. 24p recording enables the camera to transform everyday scenes into film-like movies. It’s easy to record beautifully atmospheric video in very low lighting, such as at dusk. There’s a full complement of PASM exposure modes to give photographers absolute creative flexibility during video shooting.

The new Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 full-frame digital compact camera from Sony is available in Europe from December 2012. The street price will be apprximately Euro 3,100, depending on regional circumstances and tax regulations.