Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1Sony "breaks the mold" with a unique SLR/all-in-one hybrid design.<<Camera Modes and Menus :(Previous) | (Next): Video, Power, and Software>> Page 11:Image Storage and InterfaceReview First Posted: 09/20/2005, Updated: 11/18/2005 |
Image Storage and Interface
The DSC-R1 uses Memory Sticks or CompactFlash Type I or Type II memory cards for image storage, and is compatible with the Hitachi MicroDrive. The dual memory slot is on the right side of the camera, covered by a hinged plastic door that opens easily and snaps shut crisply. A slide switch in the lower right corner of the rear panel selects the type of memory in use.
The R1 lets you lock individual images or groups of images through the Playback menu. Once protected, images cannot be erased or manipulated in any way, except through card formatting. The camera's Playback mode also lets you delete images shown in the LCD display, view an index display, create a custom slide show, set images up for printing on DPOF compliant printers, and enlarge, crop, or resize images.
Five image resolution settings are available: 3,888 x 2,592; 3,264 x 2,176 3:2; 2,784 x 1,856; 2,160 x 1,440; and 1,296 x 864. Files may be saved in any one of two JPEG compression levels, as well as a compact RAW format. (By its nature, the RAW format only saves the full-resolution image size.) The R1's RAW mode simultaneously saves images in both RAW and JPEG formats, allowing you to have the convenience of JPEG files but the security of a RAW copy of your images should you desire the maximum quality later. The number of remaining images that can be stored on the memory card appears in the upper right corner of the status display panel, in addition to the selected Resolution and Compression settings.
The table below summarizes the compression ratios and number of images that can be stored on a 256MB memory card (a common size that might typically be used with the camera), with each Resolution / Quality (JPEG Compression) combination.
|
Resolution/Quality 256 MB Memory Card |
Fine | Standard |
RAW + JPEG
|
RAW + JPEG
|
|
| 3,888 x 2,592 | Images (Avg size) |
50 5 MB |
101 2.5 MB |
9 |
10 |
| Approx. Compression |
6:1 | 12:1 | 1.2:1 | 1.3:1 | |
| 3,264 x 2,176 | Images (Avg size) |
65 3.9 MB |
120 2.1 MB |
10 24.9 MB |
11 23.2 MB |
| Approx. Compression |
5.4:1 | 10:1 | 0.9:1 | 0.9:1 | |
| 2,784 x 1,856 | Images (Avg size) |
97 2.6 MB |
195 1.3 MB |
10 23.8 MB |
11 22.7 MB |
| Approx. Compression |
5.9:1 | 11.8:1 | 0.7:1 | 0.7:1 | |
| 2,160x 1,440 | Images (Avg size) |
162 1.6 MB |
325 787K |
11 22.7 MB |
11 22.2 MB |
| Approx. Compression |
5.9:1 | 11.9:1 | 0.4:1 | 0.4:1 | |
|
|
Images (Avg size) |
459 557K |
976 262K |
11
21.7 MB |
12
21.3 MB |
| Approx. Compression |
6:1 | 12.8:1 |
0.2:1
|
0.2:1
|
|
A USB 2.0 High Speed cable and interface software accompany the R1 for quick connection and image downloading to a PC or Macintosh computer. Downloading files to my Sony desktop running Windows XP (Pentium IV, 2.4 GHz), I clocked it at 2102 KBytes/second, a very rapid pace.
Lost Images? - Download this image-recovery program so you'll have it when you need it...
Since we're talking about memory and image storage, this would be a good time to mention the following: I get a ton of email from readers who've lost photos due to a corrupted memory card. It's tragic when it happens, there are few things more precious than photo memories. Corrupted memory cards can happen with any card type and any camera manufacturer, nobody's immune. "Stuff happens," as they say. A surprising number of "lost" images can be recovered with an inexpensive, easy to use piece of software though. Given the amount of email I've gotten on the topic, I now include this paragraph in all my digicam reviews. The program you need is called PhotoRescue, by DataRescue SA. Read our review of it if you'd like, but download the program now, so you'll have it. It doesn't cost a penny until you need it, and even then it's only $29, with a money back guarantee. So download PhotoRescue for Windows or PhotoRescue for Mac while you're thinking of it. (While you're at it, download the PDF manual and quickstart guide as well.) Stash the file in a safe place and it'll be there when you need it. Trust me, needing this is not a matter of if, but when... PhotoRescue is about the best and easiest tool for recovering digital photos I've seen. (Disclosure: IR gets a small commission from sales of the product, but I'd highly recommend the program even if we didn't.) OK, now back to our regularly scheduled review...
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