I found this really cool Sony R1 from 2002 and I got to say, Sony made really cool cameras back in the day. They dared to be different and innovate their cameras, pushing boundaries and pushing the development ahead. The Sony R1 was the first large-sized sensor format camera (APS-C) to feature Live View, something that was unconventional at the earlier days of DSLR. It also features electronic instead of optical viewfinder. Perhaps the weirdest thing on the Sony R1 was the top mounted tiltable LCD screen, which works in some situations, but definitely not for high angle shooting. Having large sized 10MP APS-C sensor and bright zoom lens, this "prosumer" grade camera not only has a clear advantage over smaller sensor advanced compacts at that time, but it also challenges entry level DSLRs, with a strong proposition of built in lens with longer reach and brighter aperture compared to most kit lenses bundled with entry level DSLRs. I made a video to talk about this here (click).
Thanks for bringing up this great old camera! Wonderful shots as always! The R1 was my second digicam. It earned me 8 years of work as a documenter of built heritage. I think it's obvious why Sony chose the top mounted LCD. It's what made the whole design possible: continuing the lens barrel cylinder through the body to make a stylish and unified design and freeing the whole back panel for controls all but eliminating the need for menu diving. That design also makes it by far the most comfortable to hold camera I have ever encountered. I have to disagree about the top mounted LCD not being suitable for high angle shooting. That was essential for me as I shot mostly architecture with it. The solution is simply to turn it upside down. It is almost as easy to hold and operate in that position (the rounded profile, again, being essential to the experience). And of course vertical shots are no problem, high or low. A panorama bracket helped overcome the WA limitation (24mme) of the very useful zoom range so well served by the bright Vario-Sonnar. The 10MP files look fine on A2 prints.
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