Sony’s latest top of the line Cybershot camera, the R1 is encased in a black, body, and is the first to use Sony’s new 10.3-megapixel CMOS imager. Its also the first “APS-C imager” digital camera to offer live preview. The R1 features a Carl Zeiss T* 5x wide angle zoom that is matched to the imager and covers a 35mm equivalent focal length of 24mm to 120mm and has both a manual zoom and focus ring on the lens barrel. The R1 has both a high resolution color viewfinder and a top-mounted 2.0″ color LCD that tilts and swivels to nearly any angle.

Steves Digicams have printed a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1 User Review and commented-

“With its APC-C sized image sensor, the Sony DSC-R1 defines a new category in the prosumer digital camera market and offers a compelling alternative to enthusiasts who might otherwise consider a dSLR. Thanks to its high quality lens and large image sensor, the R1 sets a new standard for image quality among prosumer cameras, especially at high ISO settings. As an alternative to dSLRs, the R1 offers enthusiasts terrific image quality, good snapping performance and 10-megapixels of resolution without the complexities of interchangeable lenses and the inevitable presence of dust on a dSLRs image sensor. If the R1’s fixed 24-120mm lens meets your image composition needs, you may have found the 2006 version of digicam nirvana.”