Sony Mavica FD87 Review

By Movable Type Admin

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

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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