- 4.1 megapixel sensor creates 2,272 x 1,704 images for prints at sizes up to 11 x 14 inches.
- 3x optical Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar zoom lens and 2x digital zoom with 5-area multi-point autofocus.
- Stores images directly on 156 MB 8cm CD-R or CD-RW (rewriteable) discs.
- Discs can be read by virtually all Mac and PC CD-ROM drives (not currently compatible with Apple iPhoto).
- Uses proprietary Infolithium rechargeable battery (NP-FM50 ).
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The unique feature of Sony's CD400 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 4-megapixel sensor, a 3x optical zoom Carl
Zeiss lens, a jumbo 2.5-inch display, and long-life rechargeable
lithium-ion battery.
Optics and Resolution
The CD400's 4-megapixel sensor captures a tremendous a of
detail, allowing sharp 11-by-14-inch prints with pixels to spare.
If you're currently using a high-quality 35mm point-and-shoot,
expect to see as much detail in your digital pictures as you
currently see in your film photos.
A 3x Carl Zeiss optical zoom lens (34-102mm 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 for 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 s you've
already taken, the CD400 uses a 2.5-inch color display. The
advantage to using the LCD to frame your s is that the screen
lets you see exactly the picture you'll capture. 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, the
e-mail mode stores a lower-resolution version of your picture on
the disc in a separate folder from the full-size version. This
compact file lacks the detail of the original, but has a small
file size, making it ideal for e-mail attachments. In addition, a
video e-mail mode captures highly compressed, less-detailed movie
clips that are also small enough to easily e-mail. With the 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 this trouble.
More advanced photographers will appreciate manual focus, a
14-bit A/D processor that captures more gradations in color than
most digital cameras, and an uncompressed TIFF mode for
the highest-quality photos.
Power
The CD400 uses Sony's excellent InfoLithium battery system,
which not only holds a respectable charge, but also displays on
screen 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 at
resolutions up to 320 x 240 pixels. Unlike most digital cameras,
the length of each video is limited only by the a of memory
left on the CD. The limited 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 on a CD-R or other
high-capacity medium. Sony's CD Mavicas simplify this process by
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 only hold about one-fourth as
much information (156 MB instead of 650 MB), but this is still
enough space to store over 60 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 5.5 by 3.75 by 4 inches, and 23 ounces, you won't slip this
one into your shirt pocket, but it's still one of the smallest
disc-based cameras available. The CD400 fits nicely into most SLR
camera carrying cases.
Contents and Recommended Accessories
The package includes the CD400 camera, NP-FM50 battery, AC-L10
cable for in-camera charging, six 3-inch CD-R discs, one 3-inch
re-recordable CD-RW, shoulder strap, AV 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 make it easy to share your photos electronically
Cons:
* No traditional optical viewfinder
* CD drive makes the camera bigger and heavier than cameras using
memory cards