Sony Mavica CD250 Review

The CD250 uses a F3.8-3.9 Sony 3x optical zoom equivalent to a 35mm 41-123mm lens. Further enhanced with a precision 2x digital zoom.   It is threaded for 37mm filters and add-on lenses. Unlike the zoom lens on the CD400 it does not extend outward when the camera is powered up.

Focus range is 19.7 inches to infinity in normal mode and down to 1.2 inches in the macro mode. Focus distance can be manually set for 0.5m, 1m, 3m, 7m or infinity.

The autofocus is assisted by an AF illuminator in dim to dark lighting. It can be enabled or disabled in the Setup menu. As you can see it greatly enhances the view through the LCD viewfinder too, those are the wires behind my PC, shot in almost total darkness.

The CD Mavica cameras are equipped with miniature CD-Recorder drives that write to the small 3-inch (8cm) discs with a capacity of 156MB and cost about $3.00 each (or less).

The Mavica CD200, CD250, CD300 and CD400 cameras employ a new optical drive that can record to both CD-R and CD-RW (rewritable) type 3-inch discs. The capacity is 156 megabytes per disc.

The CD250 does not come with an optical viewfinder but you can add one as an optional accessory if desired.  Pictured here is the DSAC-MVC, a clip-on, eyelevel finder/magnifier for the CD400, CD300, CD200 or CD250 Mavicas.

It features a real optical system complete with diopter adjustment. The DSAC-MVC magnifies the LCD and makes the manual focus adjustment really useable. It sells for $79.95.

The built in flash has modes for automatic, redeye reduction, forced on (fill) and disabled. It automatically "pops up" when it is needed.

Need more flash power then attach an optional HVL-F1000 flash on the accessory shoe and connect it into the ACC jack on the side. Besides greater flash range the HVL-F1000 also gives you the benefits of bounce flash illumination.

Located on top of the camera is the microphone, shutter release and the combination Mode Dial and Power switch. The Mode Dial has operating positions for SETUP, Movie, Playback, Record and SCeNe (quick selection of Twilight, Twilight Portrait or Landscape depending on how it is configured in the Setup menu).

Upper right on the back is the zoom control which also serves as the index and zoomed playback control when in review mode.

4-way selector switch navigates and makes selections from the menus. When the menu isn't enabled it is used for setting flash mode, enabling macro focus or self-timer mode. Pressing the "left" portion of the 4-way switch allows you to review the last picture recorded.

The MENU button enables the onscreen menu system. The DISPLAY button (not shown but located below the color LCD) turns the color LCD on/off and controls the data overlays in record and playback. The speaker is for audio playback and camera sounds.

The ACC jack allows connection to an optional Sony HVL-F1000 flash unit that can be mounted on the accessory shoe on top of the camera.

Behind a small hinged door on the side is the high-speed USB data port and the A / V Out port that carries both a monoraul audio and video signal, the video format is user-selectable for NTSC or PAL.

The battery is a Sony "M" series NP-FM50 InfoLITHIUM rechargeable 7.2v "battery with a brain" -- it tells you on the LCD exactly how many minutes of runtime is left. Supplied with a combination battery charger and AC power adapter (AC-L10) that plugs into the DC input jack on the back of the camera.

For faster charging out of the camera you can purchase the optional AC-VQ800 ($150) external AC charger for the NP-FM50 battery packs.