Sony DSC-R1: Unsung Cameras Of Yesteryear

Back in 2005, right before Sony started the Alpha series of interchangeable lens cameras, they released a weird bridge camera with an outstanding lens and enormous APS-C sensor. Is this camera the great grandparent of modern mirrorless cameras? TCSTV's Chris Niccolls took the Sony R1 out on the streets of New York City to find out.

Special thanks to Mark Weir and Gordon Laing

Order Gordon's book In-Camera from The Camera Store:

Shot and edited by Jordan Drake
Shot on the Panasonic GH5

[cameralabs]

Great video guys, and not just because I'm in it too! As you know, I loved the R1, and its predecessors, the F series. A 2017 edition with a modern sensor, EVF, high res screen, wifi and movies would be great!

[XavierAncarno]

We can all agree that we want more vintage digital review

[jasbo]

Just picked up a boxed mint condition R1 today, the camera I always wanted but never owned till today..it's absolutely gorgeous camera and can't wait to test it..I'm only 18 years late.. 😀

[kurakczek]

Props for Gordon's cameo! I remember a friend getting this when we only shot old analog cameras... we had our jaws on the floor. Cool video, a nice ride down nostalgia lane :)

[CNKenny]

I bought mine Mint from Japan in 2006. Love mine. Still using it to this day.

[BigXarlie]

"We are in New York, as you can see it's not snowing"

[dalehardin]

This was my first Sony camera and I LOVED it. Still have it. Super camera for portraits.

[DD-ebme]

Thanks for the great and fun to watch review! I have my R1 since 2008 and still have it today. And the R1 is all i'll ever need! ❤

[dudemanismadcool]

I heard about this camera a while ago on throwback thursday on dpreview, such a unique thing. Can't wait to watch this and thanks for keeping this segment going, they are my favourite videos you guys produce.

[benwelles]

Is that... Gordon? Worlds are colliding!

[TomasRamoska]

Gordon have extensive knowledge and good memory..

[SatanSupimpa]

Gordon grew a nice beanie in the last 12 years.

[RolleiPollei]

The old camera nerd in me got very excited to see a Zeiss Contax III and a Deardorff V8 in the intro. Those where serious professional cameras back in the day.

[seacow]

My dream is to visit calgary and have Chris and Jordan sell me a camera at TCS! Great video yet again. I'm a huge fan.

[evanmcknight]

Two of my favorite review channels in one video. Good stuff.

[chiefproblems]

Thanks for that. Still have mine, R1. It and a Sony F828 were my goto cameras. Some of my best were captured with those 2 Sonys.

[jrgenkleist-christensen]

I started out with the canon 350d as my first digital camera, but It ended up on my shelf and I barely used it. The Sony dsc-r1 was the one that really made me start loving photography, being smaller than a dslr with lense yet having this incredible sharp and versatile lense.

[JohnPortfolio]

That was awesome having Gordon Laing surprisingly become part of the episode. That was really cool of him to join in. One of the best episodes yet.

[mishkathlay]

I still have one of those!! Took great shots.

[EmoEmu]

I had a DSC-F828 and loved it. It was absolutely great for its time, and a few of the shots I took with it I've yet to recreate with a DSLR/mirrorless.