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Nikon D50 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD50SonyCyber-shot DSC-R1
Overview
Released2005November 2005
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRBridge
Sensor formatAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor typeCCDCMOS
Sensor dimensions23.7 × 15.6 mm21.5 × 14.4 mm
Effective resolution6.1 MP10.3 MP
Largest image3008 × 20003888 × 2592
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range200–1600160–3200
Sensor detailNikon DX CCD with 6.1 million effective and 6.24 million total pixels; approximately 1.5× lens focal-length equivalent; Image Dust Off reference data for optional Nikon Capture correctionProgressive-scan CMOS, 21.5 × 14.4 mm; maker 10.3 million effective and 10.8 million total photosites. The native 3888 × 2592 image contains approximately 10.08 million pixels. APS-C-sized description follows Cameralabs and digitalkamera.de, with actual maker dimensions retained
Image formatsCompressed 12-bit NEF RAW, JPEG and simultaneous RAW plus Basic JPEG; maximum 3008 × 2000 pixels; Image Optimisation settingsJPEG Fine or Standard and SR2 RAW; RAW records a JPEG companion, with no TIFF option
ISO detailISO 200–1600 in whole stops–
Lens and shooting
Built-in lens–24–120 mm equivalent
Maximum aperture–f/2.8–4.8
Optical zoom–5×
Lens mountNikon F mount–
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisation–
Maximum continuous burst2.5 fps–
Lens detailBody autofocus motor supports compatible AF NIKKOR lenses, including type G and D; AF-S lenses also supported. Other AF NIKKOR lenses lose 3D matrix metering; non-CPU lenses require manual exposure without metering; IX and F3AF lenses unsupported; E-type lenses incompatible according to current Nikon USA specificationCarl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T*; actual 14.3–71.5 mm, equivalent 24–120 mm; f/2.8–4.8 maximum aperture; 12 elements in ten groups, four aspherical elements; seven-blade aperture; 67 mm filter thread; mechanical zoom and electronic manual-focus rings
AutofocusMulti-CAM 900 phase-detection module; five selectable focus areas; -1 to +19 EV at ISO 100 equivalent, 20°C; AF-S/AF-C/AF-A and manual focus, single-area, dynamic-area and closest-subject-priority modes; AF-assist illuminator. Current US page lists Face-Priority AF, absent from the original manual specification; no face-detection capability inferredFive-area automatic selection, centre or flexible spot contrast autofocus; AF illuminator rather than Hologram AF; single, monitor and continuous focus. Normal focus from 0.5 m; macro approximately 0.35 m wide or 0.4 m telephoto from sensor plane, as clarified by maker archive
ShutterCombined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter; 1/4000 to 30 seconds in half or one-third stops, Bulb and remote long exposures; flash synchronisation up to 1/500 secondAutomatic 1/8–1/2000 second, program 1–1/2000, aperture priority 8–1/2000 and shutter priority/manual 30–1/2000; TIME exposure up to 180 seconds
Burst detailApproximately 2.5 fps; US launch specifies up to 137 Normal Large JPEG frames on SanDisk UltraII 256 MB SD card. Original manual buffer table separately lists four RAW or nine Fine Large JPEG frames with long-exposure noise reduction off; card-dependent sustained shooting differs from buffer capacityMaker archive specifies approximately 3 fps for a maximum of three full-resolution JPEG frames; no RAW burst. This brief buffer-limited rate is detail only, rather than maximum sustained continuous capture
Stabilisation detailOptical VR depends on the attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisation. Pictured original AF-S DX 18–55 mm ED kit lens has no VR–
FlashBuilt-in pop-up i-TTL flash; original manual guide number approximately 15 m at ISO 200 (17 manual) or 11 m at ISO 100 (12 manual); accessory shoePop-up flash, Advanced Accessory Shoe and ACC connector; maker range 0.5–8.5 m wide and 0.4–5 m telephoto; ±2 EV flash adjustment and first/rear-curtain slow sync
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M, Auto and six scene modes; 420-segment RGB matrix, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±5 EV compensation in half or one-third stops; exposure/flash and white-balance bracketingAutomatic, program, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual modes; ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps; Standard, Vivid and Adobe RGB colour; three-level sharpening, saturation and contrast; live histogram, RGB playback histograms, zebra highlight warning and grid
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalElectronic
Screen size2″2″
Screen dots130,000134,000
TouchscreenNo–
Tilting screenNoYes
Display detailFixed 2-inch low-temperature-polysilicon TFT with 130000 dots; top status LCD; contextual help and playback magnification; dots count subpixelsTop-mounted free-angle 2.0-inch TFT LCD with 134,000 dots and 100% coverage; 235,000-dot 0.44-inch electronic viewfinder with eye-sensor switching; body does not swivel
Viewfinder detailPentamirror; approximately 95% coverage and 0.75× magnification; original manual specifies 18 mm eyepoint, conflicting with 8 mm on current US page–
Connections and design
Battery life (maker's claim)400 photographs500 photographs
Body weight540 g926 g
Release detailNikon USA original announcement dated 20 April 2005 states June US availability as a prospective schedule; actual first-sale month is unconfirmed, so year precision is retainedSony Japan original 13 September 2005 announcement specifies 18 November 2005 sale; documented Japanese first-sale date. UK support ISO 100 minimum conflicts with original maker and archive ISO 160, corroborated by both reviews
Recording mediaOne Secure Digital card slot; no SDHC compatibility inferredSeparate Memory Stick/Memory Stick PRO and CompactFlash Type I/II/Microdrive slots; Duo formats require adapter; FAT16/FAT32; cards selected by switch, without simultaneous recording
PortsUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed, NTSC/PAL video output and DC input; optional ML-L3 infrared remoteHi-Speed USB 2.0 Mini-B, video output, ACC connector, DC input and Advanced Accessory Shoe; PictBridge printing
Battery life detailEN-EL3 lithium-ion battery; main 400 shots is original manual single-frame test with 18–55 mm ED lens, Normal Large JPEG and flash every other exposure, not labelled CIPA. Separate 2000-shot continuous test uses Basic Medium JPEG and limited monitor use; the launch announcement promotes that continuous figureNP-FM50 InfoLithium; approximately 500 shots/250 minutes with Memory Stick or 460 shots/230 minutes with Microdrive, maker CIPA conditions: Fine quality, LCD on, alternate full zoom, flash every other shot, power cycling every ten shots and photograph every 30 seconds
ChargingExternal MH-18a quick charger; optional EH-5 mains adapterIn-camera charging with supplied AC-L15-series adapter, confirmed by maker archive; UK support accessory line incorrectly lists NP-FR1/AC-LS5, contradicting its own NP-FM50 field and original maker sources
DimensionsApproximately 133 × 102 × 76 mmApproximately 139.4 × 97.7 × 156 mm (width × height × depth), at wide zoom and excluding protrusions
Weight detailApproximately 540 g excluding battery, memory card and body capSony Japan original launch and archive specify approximately 926 g camera only; archive loaded figure 1047 g includes NP-FM50, Memory Stick, shoulder strap and lens hood. UK support lists 929 g camera-only; main follows consistent original maker 926 g figure, with no inferred regional hardware difference
In the box–NP-FM50 battery, AC adapter and power cable, video and USB cables, shoulder strap, lens cap, lens hood and two software CDs
ColoursBlack or silver–
Video
Video detailNo movie recording or live-view composition; NTSC/PAL output is for playback, despite the current US page labelling it Movie File FormatNo video recording, confirmed by maker archive; live view does not imply movie recording

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