Seeing with CMOS technology.

The DSC-R1 represents a dramatic departure for Sony. Where all our previous digital cameras have used Sony CCDs, the R1 uses a Sony Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. CMOS technology is ideal for the DSC-R1 because it provides much higher output speed and consumes about 90% less power than a comparable CCD.

This combination of speed and power savings enables Sony's CMOS design to accomplish something no APS-class sensor has ever done before. It operates continuously. And that makes a world of difference.