The R-D1 was a joined venture between Epson, with developed the electrical systems, UI and imaging processor and Cosina which provided the body (a modified version of the Voigtländer Bessa R2 body) and rangefinder mechanics.

The mechanical shutter of the R-D1 has to be recocked by hand with is a unique feature for a digital camera.

R-D1 was jointly developed by Seiko Epson and Cosina and manufactured by the latter, which also builds the current Voigtländer cameras.

An unusual feature to note on the R-D1 is that it is a digital camera that has a manually wound shutter with a rapid wind lever.

Data such as white balance, shutter speed, picture quality, and shots remaining are all displayed with servo driven indicators on a dial like a watch face (made by Epson's parent company Seiko).