Sony Mavica FD87 Review

By Movable Type Admin


Steve's Digicams

Sony MVC-FD87

Introduction & Physical Views



First Look posted 2/09/01
Full review posted 3/1/01

Click to take a QuickTime VR tour of the Sony FD87
Click on the FD87 to take a QuickTime VR tour


The 1.3-megapixel MVC-FD87 captures still images up to 1280x960 pixels and 320x240 motion JPEG video clips. It is equipped with a Sony 3x optical zoom (39-117mm 35mm equiv) lens. It also features a large 2.5-inch color LCD, long-life InfoLITHIUM battery system and 3-1/2" floppy disk drive that are standard on all Mavica FD series cameras. To further enhance its image storage capability the MVC-FD87 is now Memory Stick compatible when used with the optional MSAC-FD2M floppy adapter.

Other MVC-FD87 features:

  • 12bit A/D Conversion -- allows a wider dynamic range from highlight to shadow;
  • 2.5-inch color LCD with SolarAssist photocell for better daylight visibility;
  • An adjustable intelligent flash with Red Eye reduction;
  • Compact 4x HiSpeed floppy disk drive -- enabling files to be recorded and played back four times faster than a conventional floppy disk drive for faster image processing;
  • Long Life Battery - Rechargeable InfoLithium battery with AccuPower meter with a life of approximately 960 shots or 1 ¼ hours, in still image standard mode
  • 3:2 picture size ratio option -- gives users a digital image that is the same size ratio as a standard 4x6 film print;
  • E-Mail Mode and a date impose function available in three display patterns;
  • Six AE modes with four white balance modes.



Physical Views



Sony MVC-FD87

Sony MVC-FD87


Sony MVC-FD87 Sony MVC-FD87

Sony MVC-FD87

Sony MVC-FD87





Sony MVC-FD92 and MVC-FD87

The MVC-FD92 and the MVC-FD87.







Continue on to
Page Two




MVC-FD87 Specifications

Imager 1/2.7" 1.3-megapixel CCD
Image Sizes Still: 1280x960, 1280x848 (3:2), 1024x768, 640x480
Recording Formats Still: JPEG, TIFF, GIF
A/D Conversion 12-bit DXP
Lens Sony 3X F2.8-2.9 6.1-18.3mm (39-117mm 35mm equiv)
37mm filter threads
Focus Contrast Detect
Autofocus 9.8" to infinity
Macro AF 1.2" minimum
ISO Sensitivity Automatic
White Balance Auto, Outdoor, Indoor, Hold
Exposure Metering Center-weighted Averaging or Spot
Shutter Speeds 2 secs to 1/725 sec
Aperture Range F2.8-?
Program AE Twilight, Twilight+, Landscape, Portrait
Exposure Compensation +/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
In-Camera Sharpening +/- 2 in 1 step increments
Flash Modes Auto, Forced, Redeye, Off
Flash Level Adjustment Auto, High, Low
Flash Range 1 to 8.2 feet
External Flash n/a
Color LCD 2.5-inch 123,000 pixels TFT w/backlight
and SolarAssist photocell
Eyelevel Viewfinder n/a
Playback Zoom 1.1 to 5X in 17 steps
Playback Index 9 frames
Review / Quick Delete Yes / Yes
Trimming / Resizing Yes / Yes
Image Storage 3-1/2" 4X floppy diskette, 1.44MB format
Memory Stick w/MSAC-FD2M adapter (optional)
Connections AC power
Battery Supplied InfoLITHIUM NP-F330
and AC-L10 charger / AC supply
Dimensions 5-5/8 x 4-1/16 x 2-15/16 inches
Weight (w/out battery) 1lb 5.4 oz






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