Editorial Review:Product Description:More choices, more power. The MVC-FD200 is a 2-megapixel camera that gives you the option of recording your exceptionally vivid digital photos to a standard floppy disk or Memory Stick Media, making the concept of limitless capacity a reality at last! Or, copy images from your Memory Stick Media to a floppy disk and share your memories on the spot! Your photos will be easy to store, easy to save, and easy to share. With 3X optical/6X digital zoom, MPEG movie function, a built-in intelligent flash, and a host of high-performance features, you can't help but get your money's worth!
Amazon.com Product Description:Sony brought easy 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 2-megapixel sensor and a Memory Stick slot, plus the charm and simplicity that made the original a hit.
Optics and Resolution The FD200's 2-megapixel sensor captures enough detail for sharp prints at sizes up to 8 by 10 inches. For the typical family photographer, 2 megapixels is a great balance between price and performance. If you want a camera with even more resolution, forget about using low-capacity floppy discs and step up to a CD-recording model instead--try 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 FD200 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 FD200 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 FD200 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 it 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 become dirt-cheap, floppies aren't without their problems. First, their 1.4 MB capacity is dismal by today's standards. A 2-megapixel photo actually contains 6 MB of information, which means a disc can't hold even a single uncompressed photo. Using standard JPEG compression, only four 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 FD200 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 around 200 images at the camera's default settings or over 20 uncompressed TIFF images. 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, though it 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: - 2-megapixel resolution is perfect for most users
- 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:
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This camera fits a specific niche
The Sony MVCFD series of cameras was our Police Department's introduction into digital cameras. They filled a specific need because they allowed photos to be taken, and the floppy disk securred as evidence, without having Officers download, transfer, or copy (Evidence) images and possibly damage/lose them.
Even though the Department has progressed to far more sophisticated cameras, the MVCFD 200 still has an important role in taking images of lesser evidential importance, applicant pictures, etc., where 2MP's is not a problem. This camera is such a work horse at our Department that they get used 24/7, without fail. An incredibly dependable camera, considering the wear and tear it recieves from a host of people. We have purchased at least four replacements over the last couple of years through sites such as Amazon, to keep this simple technology going as long as possible.
Rating: 
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Oldie, but goodie.
So what...this camera is a dinosaur in today's fast-paced digital camera world. However, for the price, it's fits my needs. Just purchased a couple of 128m memory sticks, (which I am sure will soon be obsolete, too)...no more floppy disks.
Rating: -
Nice little camera.
I suppose the "little" should be re-worded. It's not the lightest, or smallest out there, by a long shot, but I really enjoy this camera. Sure, the floppy technology is going the way of the dodo, but it is still nice to have the convenience, to have it if you need it.
USB is in use in almost all facets of life these days. You would have to have one extremely old and lacking P.C. to not have the USB port available. But, there are some out there. There are those times when the USB port won't read, when something is on the fritz, and you need that digital picture downloaded NOW.
I can't say I'm a professional photographer, I don't judge the quality of photos for a living, but I do enjoy taking pictures. Between the multiple focus, lighting, and picture settings, you are allotted many options to make the next shutter sound capture a beautiful picture.
I would have to say, professionally, you can find better. Can find items with higher resolutions, with quicker data transfer rates, etc. But, for me, the camera is wonderful.
During my time in the military I was deployed overseas, and the camera was by my side. If it can make it through 14 months in a desert, in the cargo pocket of a soldier, getting slammed around and whatnot, I'm sure it's a keeper.
Overall, 4 stars from me.
Rating: -
Manager
We love the convienence of having a floppy disk to store photos on, the camer may not take the best quality photos but it is sufficent for what we need.
Rating: -
Very good but on limited use
I use this camera for work and it works very well. The only problem I have had with it is after a few months of taking 30 to 40 pictures a day it won't read a disk. I comes up with a formating error. I have had to send it out for repairs twice already. Other then that the picture quality and options are very nice.
