Editorial Review:Product Description:Choice is good. And with Sony's MVC-FD100, you're able to choose between the simplicity of storing your images to an economical floppy disk or convenient Memory Stick Media. Or, copy images from your Memory Stick Media to a floppy disk and share your memories on the spot! Dual media functionality is built right into the body of this powerful, megapixel camera. Other great features include 12-bit DXP analog/digital conversion, multiple image and video modes, MPEG movie function, high-speed auto focus, and an intelligent flash with red-eye reduction.
Amazon.com Product Description:Sony brought simplified digital photography to the masses when it introduced the Mavica--a digital camera that stored digital pictures on standard floppy discs. This updated version boasts a 1.2-megapixel sensor and a Memory Stick slot, plus the charm and simplicity that made the original a hit.
Optics and Resolution The FD100's 1.2-megapixel sensor captures four times the detail of the original Mavica, providing enough detail for sharp 5-by-7-inch prints. For the typical family photographer, 1.2 megapixels is a bit low, though if you primarily plan to view your pictures on a computer monitor and don't plan to make prints bigger than 5 by 7 inches, the F100 is a great choice. If you want a camera with even more resolution, try the 2-megapixel MVC-FD200 or drop the floppy format altogether and step up to a CD-recording model like Sony's MVC-CD300 or MVC-CD400.
The autofocus lens features both a 3x optical zoom and a 2x digital zoom. Remember, however, that digital zoom tends to reduce the sharpness and detail of your image, so it's a good idea to use it sparingly.
To save space, there's no traditional optical viewfinder to look through. Instead, to compose your images or review shots you've already taken, the FD100 uses a big 2.5-inch color display. The advantage to using the LCD to frame your shots is that the screen lets you see exactly the picture you'll capture. The disadvantage is that you can't turn off the screen and just use the optical viewfinder to extend battery life. Fortunately, the included rechargeable battery holds a relatively good charge.
More Features The FD100 is clearly designed for point-and-shoot simplicity, but there are several options for more adventurous photographers, including manual focus with macro, adjustable ISO and white-balance settings, exposure compensation, and the ability to shoot black-and-white, sepia, solarized, and negative images.
Power The FD100 uses Sony's excellent InfoLithium battery system, which not only holds a respectable charge, but also displays on screen how many minutes of power remain. Both the battery and the charger are included. Because the battery is unique to specific Sony models and can be nearly impossible to find when on the road, we strongly recommend getting a spare if you're planning to take the camera on extended outings.
Movie Mode In movie mode, the camera captures silent video clips. The limited duration and resolution of your movies guarantees that this feature won't replace your camcorder, but it's perfect for when you just want to capture a quick movie and e-mail it to a friend or relative.
Storage and Transfer Images are stored on standard floppy discs, which makes transferring pictures to your computer a snap. Take the picture, wait for the disc to stop whirring, then eject the disc from your camera and pop it into your computer's floppy drive. For safekeeping, it's best to transfer images to your hard drive and periodically archive your photos using a CD-R drive.
Though they're available everywhere and have gotten dirt cheap, floppies aren't without their problems. First, their 1.4 MB capacity is dismal by today's standards. A 1.2-megapixel photo actually contains 3.6 MB of information, which means a disc can't hold even a single uncompressed photo. Using standard JPEG compression, only seven photos fit on each disc, so plan to bring a big stack of bulky floppies on each outing. To make matters more frustrating, some new computers (iMacs, for example) don't even come with floppy drives anymore.
To get around these problems, the FD100 also includes a slot for Memory Sticks, Sony's proprietary memory card format. A 128 MB stick is approximately one-fifth the size of a floppy disc, yet it holds over 300 images at the camera's default settings. To transfer images to your computer, simply attach the included USB cable between your PC and your camera. Your computer should automatically recognize your camera and let you move the pictures to your hard drive. If you own a Sony desktop or laptop, your computer may already have a built-in Memory Stick reader.
Most folks will probably buy the Mavica for the simplicity of its floppy drive, but switch to the Memory Stick slot when on extended outings.
Size Considering the internal floppy drive and nonretracting 3x zoom lens, the Mavica is reasonably compact at 5.6 by 4.1 by 3.1 inches, but weighs in at a hefty 19 ounces.
Contents and Recommended Accessories The package includes the camera, lithium-ion rechargeable battery, NPF-330 AC adapter/battery charger, video and USB cables, shoulder strap, and lens cap.
The camera does not come with any storage media, so you'll need either a floppy disc or a Memory Stick to start shooting. Otherwise, everything you need to get started is included in the box. To make the most of your camera, we recommend: a carrying case, a high-capacity Memory Stick or stack of floppy discs, and, for extended outings, a spare battery. Compatible accessories for this camera are listed near the top of this page.
--Shane Burnett Pros: - 1.2-megapixel resolution is a step up from original Mavica and is great for e-mails and snapshots
- Floppy disc storage for ultimate simplicity
- Lithium-ion battery holds a good charge
Cons: - Movie mode lacks sound
- Floppies are big, bulky, and low capacity, though the Memory Stick slot solves this problem.
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
-
Dark Pictures
I don't know if three is an accurate rating but almost all of my indoor pictures are dark. I have to be three feet or less to get a good picture. Are all cameras like this?
Otherwise I am completely satisfied with the camera LJM
Rating: -
Sony Mavica Floppy Disk 100
I have purchased this particular camera due to its ability to record images to the floppy disk. I traveled across the country by bicycle and uploaded pictures from public libraries along the way, where computers would not allow to install software and have USB port, but always had available floppy drives. This worked very well!
The camera showed amazing performance in representing the colors in its pictures. Focus was always good, images were clear and beautiful. Macro mode worked extremely well. Camera is reliable and battery life is superb.
With 1.3 Mega Pixels, images are perfect for computer use or make print outs of standard size.
Shutter delay makes it difficult to shot moving objects unless you are used to guessing the right moment. Sensitivity in dark conditions was very low, on automatic mode at least. I don't know if adjusting white balance or exposure compensation would improve the sensitivity. I always found automatically taken pictures to be of best quality.
If there is a need to use the MAJOR feature of the Sony MVC FD 100 function - floppy drive, then this is the excellent choice.
FD 200 that replaced 100 in 2003 offers 2.0 Mega Pixels Matrix with identical features.
Here are few sample pictures taken with this camera:
http://www.angelfire.com/linux/mikhail4/travel8/flower_after_rain_macro.jpg
http://www.angelfire.com/linux/mikhail4/travel8/sunset_on_trans_canada.jpg
http://www.angelfire.com/linux/mikhail5/travel11/nice_mushroom.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/pont331/clouds_ahead.jpg
All in all, this camera provided exceptional service and I recommend it to anyone that needs to use its ability to save images on floppy disks.
Rating: 
-
Almost two years and still loving it!
I bought my Mavica as my first digital camera and have never been disappointed with it. It has travelled everywhere with me and has taken many awesome pictures. It was very easy to learn to use and the manual for it is well written and understandable.
I'm just now getting around to getting a memory stick for it so that I can record my photos as TIFFs. I suspect that after I use that, I will love it even more.
I have learned everything that I know about digital photography with my Mavica by my side. I learned how to set white balance, ISO speed, and spot metering easily and quickly. I would love to have a camera with a bigger resolution and a smaller size, but my Mavica takes such beautiful pictures that I'm not going to replace it.
I use it mostly to take pictures of my daughter and her classmates. The individual pictures taken indoors in UV light with a flash are amazing. In fact, after her class Christmas party (2003) they were so good that I printed them onto photo fabric and made the teacher a scarf with pictures of the children.
I love this camera and have been VERY happy with it. I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.
Rating: -
Just Because It's Big...!
There was a little piece of advice I always gave people upon choosing their first digital camera, that being: 1)Take the megapixel count you are interested in, and 2)Multiply it by 100 3)If you spend within 50 dollars of that, you have basically gotten a good deal. If you pay less, you are probably missing some fundamental feature (a zoom is often the first thing to go) and if you pay more, you are getting more than you probably wanted (some special lens made from a glass that NASA uses to make the microwaves on the shuttle or something like that). With the Mavica FD series, the extra 100 or 200 dollars is going to its method of storing pictures, on simple, inexpensive floppy disks.
If that still does not seem to justify the price, consider this: a floppy disk drive runs anywhere from 40 to 60 dollars, now take that drive and stick it on the back of a digital camera (thus making it self-powered).
And then there is the media itself: Smartmedia and CompactFlash cards are down in price (averaging less than a dollar per megabyte) and are available in sizes in the giga-range. That all seems fine and dandy, until you consider the phrase "don't put all your eggs in one basket." The cards are like any other data storage media, and thus prone to corruption and electromagnetic interference. So, because of a simple error in the camera (it is a computer like any other, and thus prone to all the same weaknesses), a whole 64+ megabytes of memories can be lost forever. And, to add insult to injury, that card was really expensive! Meanwhile, a box of 40+ floppy disks (at about 1.44MB per disc) costs a little less than 10 dollars. Now get out your calculators....Okay....PENCILS DOW--I MEAN, CALCULATORS DOWN!
Of course, the problem with floppy disks is that there are so many of them that lugging them around your vacation spot can be a complete pain. Fortunately, unlike the FD-75, you have the option of using Memory Sticks. In fact, if you take someone's picture on the MemStick, but want to give them one of the photos, simply insert a floppy disk and copy (just like in a computer) the picture to the floppy and give them that disk. Beats making them wait for a print.
Also, Sony's sensibility guided them toward making the FD Mavicas out of HandyCam parts, meaning that some of the accessories you got for/with your Handycam (if you have one)can be used with the mavica, namely the battery (that little crummy one that came with it that you have probably not used since you got that even better 8-hour one!) which is exactly the same as the battery that comes with the FD! So, out of the box, you have doubled the battery life of the camera. Also, the camera has a 37mm filter thread, which allows you to attach neat accessories like color filters and fisheye lenses.
Final word: a little pricey and not much for resolution, but for Handycam owners, it is a new lease on life for those old batteries!
Rating: 
-
Get the model that doesn't store on floppies.
I bought this camera because of the great features and used it for around 6 months. It would still be everything I need except that floppy discs are now becoming obsolete. My husband got a new computer that doesn't even have a floppy drive (as most new computers don't), so we can't even use the camera now.
Luckily, I receieved as a gift the similar but newer model that takes mini CDs. I know those will be around for a while!
The camera has good features and Sony is a very reputable brand, but honestly, you'll need to get a new one soon. Get the model that accpets CDs or connects to your computer in a way that won't be outdated soon.