Sony MVC-FD71 Mavica

One thing I really don't like about Sony is the fact that probably 25% of the price of many of their items, are simply from the letters "S-O-N-Y" being imprinted on them. The FD-71 is no exception. I've never really had the money to be able to afford a "great" digital camera that has everything I wanted, but I do own an Olympus that would put the FD-71 to shame - and it cost $250.00 less. I recently inherited the FD-71 from someone, and to be honest, after using it a week, I wound up giving it to my sister who's trying to break into the real estate business. The camera is good for people in that position - being easy to use, and using floppies; but I find few others this camera is designed for. Between the bulk, the poor image quality, and the high price, I cannot recomment this, or most of the Sony Mavica cameras for that matter. You're paying for the name, more than the camera.

10X Optical zoom is very rare, even on today's models. Credits for that. The ability to use floppies is a "strength" for new users, or people in a hurry like those in real estate, insurance, etc.

Very poor image quality when compared to my much cheaper Olympus. Pricing is for the name as opposed to the camera features compared with others. The flash is extremely powerful, causing anyone without a very dark tan to be "glowing" white if you're closer than 6 feet. The size/weight of the camera is prohibitive to being a camera you can lug around with you all day.

Olympus D-400, Kodak DC215.

Have not had to use.

When I first got this cqmera I loved it and still do but now that maga pix are out I have to have one but this is a great camera for web pages and such.

fast,long batter life

resalution only 640 x 480

None

Altough it is a very good camera, very easy to use, and the feature of store in a diskette, it would be better if the low light condition focus capacity could be improved.

Very easy to use. The main advantage is the use of diskettes as a source of storage. It makes very easy to share the photos. You can deliver from the diskette without the camera. Battery last long, even in high use.

As an industrial painting contractor, I often have to take shots in the interior of tanks and marine structures. I found that the Mavica MVC-FD71 doesn´t work very good without a good source of light. There is no way to focus in low light conditions. The flash tends to overexpose.

This is my only digital camera. I use other like Canon IX lite, Canon EOS 1000 F, Canon Sure shot A1.

Not needed, yet.

This model of the Sony Mavica is a good little camera for the current price. I was looking for a digital camera that would take pictures both for web selling and for family get togethers. This camera has proven that it is up to the task. I wouldn't recommend it for a professional photographer but it does a good job for the beginner and occasional, casual photographer.

Good quality pictures for online selling and basic picture taking. Very easy to use. No need to worry about costly memory sticks - copies photos on computer disks.

Not a high resolution camera.

None

This camera was purchased for use in the work place, for a number of reasons. All of our employees would have to use it at one time or another so the easier the camera would be to use, the better. I've trained everyone, and I'm happy to say, even the less bright individuals in the group (22 in all), have no trouble using this camera. The fact that it makes use of standard floppy diskettes and still provides sufficient print quality is this camera's strongest atribute. Most of the shots taken with the camera are taken indoors. Get the camera outdoors in bright sunlight, as I have done on the weekends, and the results are astonishing. If you need a camera for comercial use, something that will be handled by a number of individuals with varied knowledge of photography, digital or otherwise, this camera would be a good choice. It's large, heavy build makes it ideal for ruged settings and handling. Many newer cameras are so small and fragile, it just seems they would be out of place in the environment in which we use ours.

Very rugged build and feel Extremely easy to use Cheapest storage media Rechargeble battery included Battery charger included

None that our group has discovered

None

The camera has worked flawlessly for over six months. No need for any contact with customer service.