Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R

Released July 2013

Sony’s RX1R pairs a 24.3 MP full-frame sensor without an optical low-pass filter with a fixed 35 mm f/2 lens.

Type: Compact
Sensor: Full frame
Megapixels: 24.3
Lens: 35 mm equivalent
Video: 1920 × 1080 at 60 fps
Body weight: 453 g

What reviewers say

Both reviews praised the detailed images and sharp lens. PhotographyBlog found the improvement over RX1 subtle and no moiré in its sample shots, while criticising sluggish autofocus and short battery life. Amateur Photographer found clearer RAW detail but demonstrated substantial moiré in patterned clothing, recommending a choice based on subject matter.

From photographyblog.com and amateurphotographer.com

Specifications

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Image and sensor

Camera type: Compact
Sensor format: Full frame
Sensor type: Exmor CMOS
Sensor dimensions: 35.8 × 23.9 mm
Effective resolution: 24.3 MP
Largest image: 6000 × 4000
RAW recording: Yes
Standard ISO range: 100–25600
Sensor detail: No optical low-pass filter; Sony warns that fine repeating patterns can produce moiré or false colour
Image formats: JPEG and 14-bit RAW (Sony ARW 2.3); AVCHD 2.0 or MP4 movies
ISO detail: Standard single-frame ISO 100–25600; extended ISO 50/64/80. Multi-frame noise reduction reaches ISO 102400 by combining six exposures; it is not standard single-frame sensitivity.
Image processor: BIONZ

Lens and shooting

Built-in lens: 35 mm equivalent
Maximum aperture: f/2
Stabilisation: Electronic only
Maximum continuous burst: 5 fps
Lens detail: ZEISS Sonnar T* 35 mm f/2 fixed prime; eight elements in seven groups, nine aperture blades and 49 mm filter thread. Macro mode focuses from 20 cm measured from the sensor plane, or 14 cm from the lens front.
Autofocus: Contrast-detection autofocus with 25 points; AF, direct manual focus and manual focus, with focus peaking and magnification
Shutter: Leaf shutter; 30 seconds to 1/4000 second and Bulb. The 1/4000 limit requires f/5.6 or a smaller aperture; the fastest speed at f/2 is 1/2000 second.
Burst detail: Up to 5 fps in speed-priority mode with initial focus fixed; normal continuous shooting up to 2.5 fps (AF-S) according to Sony Japan, rather than PhotographyBlog’s rounded 3 fps
Stabilisation detail: Electronic stabilisation applies only to movies and crops the field of view; no optical lens or sensor-shift still-image stabilisation
Flash: Built-in manually raised flash and Multi Interface Shoe for optional external flashes or viewfinders
Exposure controls: Program, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual exposure; dedicated aperture and exposure-compensation rings/dials, three memory recalls, DRO and three-frame automatic HDR

Video

Highest video resolution: 1920 × 1080 at 60 fps
Video detail: Full HD AVCHD at up to 60p in NTSC mode or 50p in PAL mode, at 28 Mbit/s; NTSC also supports 24p and PAL 25p. Continuous clips are limited to approximately 29 minutes; MP4 12M recording ends around 15 minutes or 2 GB.

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: None
Screen size: 3″
Screen dots: 1,228,800
Tilting screen: No
Display detail: Fixed WhiteMagic TFT LCD; the maker's dots count colour subpixels rather than that many image pixels
Viewfinder detail: No built-in viewfinder; optional FDA-EV1MK electronic or FDA-V1K optical viewfinder uses the accessory shoe

Connections and design

Wi-Fi: No
Battery life (maker's claim): 270 photographs
Body weight: 453 g
Release detail: Sony Japan gives 5 July 2013 for first sale; Hong Kong followed at the end of July. Sony explicitly describes RX1R as a sister model added alongside RX1.
Recording media: SD, SDHC, SDXC and Memory Stick Duo variants; Micro and microSD formats require adaptors
Ports: Micro USB (USB 2.0), Micro HDMI, 3.5 mm microphone input and Multi Interface Shoe
Wireless connections: No built-in Wi-Fi; compatible Eye-Fi cards provide a separate wireless-transfer option
Battery life detail: NP-BX1 rechargeable battery; Sony Japan claims 270 CIPA photographs with standard display quality, or 220 in high-quality display mode. PhotographyBlog obtained around 150 shots in its usage, fewer with the optional electronic viewfinder.
Charging: In-camera USB charging and USB power with the supplied AC adaptor
Dimensions: Approximately 113.3 × 65.4 × 69.6 mm (width × height × depth)
Weight detail: 453 g body only, including the integral fixed lens; 482 g with battery and recording media
Materials: Metal body (Amateur Photographer)
Colours: Black
In the box: NP-BX1 battery, AC adaptor, Micro USB cable, shoulder strap, lens cap, shoe cap, cleaning cloth and instructions; adaptor model varies by region

Pros and cons

Pros

Full-frame sensor without an optical low-pass filter
14-bit RAW recording and dedicated aperture ring
Built-in flash and accessory shoe

Cons

No built-in viewfinder or optical still-image stabilisation
Fine repeating patterns can produce moiré or false colour

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyCyber-shot DSC-RX1	Compact	Full frame	24.3	35 mm equivalent	1920 × 1080 at 60 fps	453 g	Nov 2012
SonyCyber-shot DSC-RX1R II	Compact	Full frame	42.4	35 mm equivalent	1920 × 1080 at 60 fps	480 g	Nov 2015
SonyCyber-shot DSC-HX50V	Compact	1/2.3-type	20.4	24–720 mm equivalent	1920 × 1080 at 60 fps	246 g	May 2013

Sources

Photo: sony.jp

Sony RX1R, rear view: Sony, official Japan product gallery; shared rear body photograph explicitly published in both RX1 and RX1R exact product galleries

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