Sony Intros New Mavicas, FD88 Features 1.3 Million Pixel Resolution

PARK RIDGE, N.J., March 3 -- Sony has taken the Digital MavicaŽ, the nation's best-selling digital camera since September 1997, to the next level in picture quality with the introduction today of a 1.3 million pixel camera (MVC-FD88). Sony's new Digital Mavica camera line includes three units, models MVC-FD73, MVC-FD83 and MVC-FD88. The MVC-FD88 and MVC-FD83 will be available in June 1999 for (MSRP) and (MSRP), respectively. The MVC-FD73 will be available in May for (MSRP).

The MVC-FD88 Digital Mavica camera, features a choice of Super XGA (1280 x 960), XGA (1024 x 768) and VGA (640 x 480) resolution options. It also has an 8x optical/16x Precision Digital Zoom lens with auto macro.

The MVC-FD83 camera offers interpolated mega-pixel for increased digital enhancement of your pictures (1216 x 912). This technology produces a 17 percent increase in image size, resulting in a one million pixel image for viewing or printing. Both the MVC-FD88 and the MVC-FD83 Digital Mavica cameras have four times high-speed floppy disk drives (FDD), which means that files can be recorded and played back four times faster than the conventional floppy disk drive. The units also have A/V out connectivity, which allows for playback of images and MPEG movies as well as JPEG still images on a television.

In addition to producing high-resolution images, the MVC-FD83 and MVC-FD88 have MPEG Movie Mode, which captures up to 60 seconds of motion video and audio, and Voice Memo Mode, which adds narration to still images. The Digital Mavica line also has the Whole Disk Copy feature that lets users make a copy of images, MPEG videos or voice memos -- right inside the camera -- onto another blank floppy disk.

The Digital Mavica MVC-FD88 and MVC-FD83 cameras offer these additional features:

  • High-speed Scan Auto Focus with auto macro capability to deliver the highest level of focusing accuracy;
  • Precision Digital Zoom, which removes jagged edges even when zoomed to 6x or 16x the original image;
  • Two slow shutter speeds for extra versatility for capturing pictures in low light;
  • Four pre-programmed special effects.

The MVC-FD73 camera, which is priced at (MSRP), features a powerful 10x optical zoom, two-times high speed floppy disk drive, E-Mail Mode and a 2.5-inch LCD screen. All Digital Mavica models employ standard 3.5-inch floppy disks, which are inexpensive, reusable and eliminate film and processing costs.