Sony MVC-CD200 Mavica 2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

The unique feature of Sony's CD200 Mavica is a built-in mini CD recorder, a clever solution that simultaneously provides affordable portable memory and long-term archival storage. The camera also features a 2-megapixel sensor, 3x optical zoom lens, jumbo 2.5-inch display, and long-life rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

Optics and Resolution

The CD200's 2-megapixel sensor captures enough detail for sharp prints at sizes up to 8 by 10 inches. For the typical family photographer, 2 megapixels is a great balance between price and performance. However, if you're looking for a model with more resolution, Sony's CD300 is essentially a 3-megapixel version of the CD200.

A 3x optical zoom lens (39-117mm equivalent) helps you to capture exactly the picture you want, and an additional 2x digital zoom (6x total) further magnifies your image. Remember, however, that digital zoom tends to reduce the sharpness and detail of your image, so it's best used sparingly. In low-light situations (a particular weakness of many digital cameras), a focus-assist lamp sends out a small patterned beam to help the camera accurately determine distance.

To save space, there's no traditional optical viewfinder to look through. Instead, to compose your images or review shots you've already taken, the CD200 uses a big 2.5-inch color display. The advantage of using the LCD to frame your shots is that the screen lets you see exactly the picture you'll be capturing. The disadvantage is that you can't turn off the screen and just use the optical viewfinder to extend battery life. Fortunately, the included rechargeable battery holds a relatively good charge.

More Features

The engineers at Sony have gone out of their way to make it as easy as possible to share your images online. For example, e-mail mode stores a lower-resolution version of your picture on the disc in a separate folder than the full-size version. This compact file lacks the detail of the original, but the smaller size makes it ideal for attaching to e-mail. In addition, a video e-mail mode captures highly compressed, less detailed movie clips that are also small enough to be easily e-mailed. With time, expertise, and the right software, owners of any digital camera can create these more compact files on their home computers, but Sony saves you the trouble. The camera also includes a voice memo mode for attaching spoken notes to each picture, a text mode for capturing printed pages in the GIF format for minimum file size, and an MPEG movie mode with sound for creating brief film clips.

More advanced photographers will appreciate aperture-priority and shutter-priority modes, a 14-bit A/D processor that captures more gradations in color than most digital cameras, and an uncompressed TIFF mode for recording the highest-quality photos.

Power

The CD200 uses Sony's excellent InfoLithium battery system, which not only holds a respectable charge but also displays onscreen how many minutes of power remain. Both the battery and the charger are included. Because the battery is unique to specific Sony models and can be nearly impossible to find when on the road, we strongly recommend getting a spare if you're planning to take the camera on extended outings.

Movie Mode

In movie mode, the camera captures video clips with sound. Depending upon resolution, these clips can last from 5 to 15 seconds. The limited length and resolution of these clips guarantees that this feature won't replace your camcorder, but it's perfect for when you just want to capture a quick movie and e-mail it to a friend or relative.

Storage and Transfer

With a traditional digital camera, images are stored on memory cards, then transferred to your computer via a cable or card reader, and ultimately archived by recording on a CD-R or other high-capacity medium. Sony's CD Mavicas simplify this process by recording images directly to CD, using a 3-inch miniature CD recorder integrated into the back of the camera (hence the camera's rounded shape). These discs are substantially smaller than traditional 5-inch CDs, and hold only about one-fourth as much information (156 MB instead of 650 MB), but this is still enough space to store over 100 photos at the camera's highest-quality compressed mode. Each disc costs a couple of dollars. To transfer pictures to your computer, simply remove the disc from the camera and insert it into your computer's CD-ROM drive. Unlike images recorded on memory cards, pictures taken on a CD-R are permanently burned into the disc, instantly providing a digital "negative" for archiving your photos.

If you prefer to transfer your images in the traditional way, just use an erasable/re-recordable CD-RW disc and connect the camera to your computer with the included USB cable. After transferring the images, you can erase the CD-RW disc to ready it for another batch of photos.

Size

At 5.6 by 3.6 by 3.6 inches and 22 ounces, this one won't slip into your shirt pocket, but it's still one of Sony's smallest disc-based cameras. The CD200 fits nicely into most SLR camera carrying cases.

Contents and Recommended Accessories

The package includes the CD200 camera, NP-FM50 battery, AC-L10 cable for in-camera charging, one 3-inch CD-R, one 3-inch re-recordable CD-RW, shoulder strap, A/V cable, USB cable, and software on CD.

Everything you need to get started is included in the box, but we recommend these accessories to make the most of your camera: a carrying case, additional 3-inch CD-R or CD-RW discs, and a second battery (especially if you're taking the camera on extended trips). Compatible accessories for this camera are listed near the top of this page. --Shane Burnett

Pros:

• Integrated CD recorder provides inexpensive storage and image archiving
• Big 2.5-inch screen makes it easy to preview and review photos
• E-mail modes simplify sharing of photos electronically

Cons:

• 2-megapixel sensor is adequate for most users but starting to look low by today's standards
• CD drive makes the camera bigger and heavier than cameras using memory cards