Sony Mavica CD250 Review

Click on the CD250 to take a QuickTime VR tour

The Mavica CD250 captures images with 2.0 megapixel (effective) resolution and 3X optical / 2X digital zoom. Some new features it shares with its big brother, the MVC-CD400, include a solid, ergonomically curved design, MPEG HQX Movie mode with audio, and a three-shot burst mode for taking photos in rapid succession.   Available in May and expected to sell for about $600, the CD250 is positioned to introduce CD photography to anyone seeking a versatile, easy way to shoot, share and save great pictures.

Multi-point auto focus makes sure the camera doesn't just focus on the center of the frame. Instead the MVC-CD250 model automatically finds the best focus among three different areas within the picture, while the MVC-CD400 lets the photographer automatically or manually select the best focus from five separate parts of the picture.

Allowing the camera to more accurately calculate exposure, Sony's pre-flash exposure metering actually calculates exposure with light from the flash itself. To provide accurate exposure in uneven lighting, multi-pattern metering divides the scene into a matrix of 49 separate cells, each of which can be metered independently.

Maximizing the benefits of writeable CD photography, Sony's new CD250 Mavica digital still camera incorporates focus, exposure and archiving features that help make every picture worth keeping. CompactDiscs are easy-to-use, long-lasting, and allow instant archiving of pictures - a lot of pictures. The CD250 Mavica comes with a a media pack of six CD-Rs and one CD-RW disc, giving the user over one gigabyte of available storage.

Sony MVC-CD250 Features:

• 3x optical (41-123mm 35mm equiv) Sony aspherical zoom lens
• 1/2.7" 2.0 Megapixel (effective) Super HAD CCD image sensor
• 1600x1200, 1600(3:2), 1280x960 and 640x480 resolution still images in JPEG Normal or Fine and uncompressed TIFF formats
• Records images to 8cm CD-R or RW Disc (156MB capacity)
• High-speed scan AF with AF illuminator light and manual focus modes
• 2½" 123,000 pixel color LCD viewfinder with solar assist window
• 3-mode auto pop-up flash w/selectable red-eye reduction, compatible w/HVL-F1000 flash
• Muli Pattern and Spot metering
• Adjustable white balance with five modes.
• ISO 100, 200, 400 and Auto
• MPEG HQX movie mode, 320x240 @ 16fps with audio, unlimited length
• Slow shutter noise reduction
• UXGA/XGA/VGA, 3:2 UXGA image resolution
• USB transfer allows use as an external CD-R/RW drive
• InfoLithium® rechargeable battery, AC adapter/charger supplied

The 4-megapixel Mavica CD400 and the 2-megapixel CD250.

MVC-CD250 Specifications