Sony Mavica Digital Cameras
Recommended for Schools
Why get a Mavica over other digital cameras?
  • Mavica uses inexpensive 3.5 floppy disks.

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  • Takes great pictures under a wide range of situations including low light conditions and close-ups.

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  • Great Sony InfoLithum battery - used with most other Sony Mavica models and video cameras..

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  • Some models can do MPEG video.

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  • Easy to use.
Mavica FD-81


InfoLithum Battery

In Contrast...
  • Compact Flash Memory cards are expensive.
  • Requires special hardware to transfer to the computer.

Left to Right:
Lexar 128MB Type II card, $400
Sony 8MB memory stick, $30
Coin, $.25 (shown for size comparison)
Iomega Clik! disk $10
Common digital film (not shown): CompactFlash & SmartMedia

Most digital cameras today are better than...

Logitech's FotoMan
Black & white cameras with built in memory and rechargeable battery
(Not in appearance but black & white pictures)
Sold back in 1992 for about $500



Current Mavica Models
  • FD-73
  • FD-75
  • FD-85*
  • FD-90*
  • FD-95* replaces FD-91
  • FD-87* new, coming soon
  • FD-92* new, coming soon
  • FD-97* new, coming soon
*These new models will allow for the use of Sony's memory stick via an optional floppy adapter.  Currently, memory sticks are available up to 64MB.  Please note that saving images takes longer with this adapter than saving directly to a floppy disk.



Where to Buy

Most places in Hawaii will advertise at the MSRP prices but may discount it.  You should never pay the MSRP price. 

If purchasing for personal use, check the web and purchase online. 


What Else to Buy

Recommended things to buy for your camera:

  • Extra battery (NPF-550)
  • Camera bag 
  • Bag, battery, cleaning cloth kit 
  • UV or clear lens filter (37mm for most, 52mm for the FD-91 and FD-95)
  • Lots and lots of preformatted DOS floppy disks
  • Micro-Fiber Optical Cloth or Scotch-Brite by 3M


Sony Mavica Cameras - Perfect for School Use
(Article I wrote earlier)

©1999-2001 Ron Kubota, Soft-Plus