Need Advice on Mavica Digital Cameras

[Fishbusters]

A little long but I tried to include all possible information on how I plan on using the cameras. We have a computer and accessory employee purchase plan. In order to get payroll deduction you have to total $500 or more in purchases. We want to get a digital camera and have narrowed it down to one of 2 choices. Both the choices are Sony Mavicas one is the MVC-CD250 which is $459.00 and the other is the MVC-CD400 which is $642.00. With either one I have to purchase a case and will be getting extra discs which costs the same regardless. Both read about the same or at least fairly close as far as features and such the difference is in the megapixel number the 250 has 2 and the 400 has 4. I really have no clue as to what that means with the exception that I have been told the higher the megapixel the better. All I want to do is take pictures of my kids and perhaps a fish or two for e-mailing or perhaps making an on-line album on MSN or somewhere. I would like them to be clear and show good detail on the screen. If I made a hard copy it would not be bigger than a standard print from a 35mm camera but ever since I started getting a CD with prints no one ever sees the prints but us anyway. We have a good 35mm and will still be using it for things like birthdays and special events because of the quality but we just want something in addition for instantly sending things to family. Recently I had my own child in a spelling bee and wish I could have sent a picture or two when we got home. I would also like to use this to record class activities such as special olympics and our yearly prom so i could give pictures to the students. I need all the input I can get quick because if I don't decide now I loose the chance. Of course with the current state budget crisis I may not have a job next school term due to cutbacks and such. Heck everyone is facing the AX across the board and while I may not be canned I may have to move schools which would be just as bad. Anyway if the worst happens I will have to pay in full otherwise it's like $10 or $15 a payday until it's paid off.

 

[marty_scher]

Re: Need Advice on Mavica Digital Cameras

Peterfishbuster<br /><br />Just curious, but why the Mavicas? They seem pretty pricey for 2 and 4 mexapixel cameras. You can get a lot more for less, with other makes.<br /><br />I realize they have CD writing capabilities, but that may just be an extra, unnecessary expense, IMO.<br /><br />You can get a decent 4x6 print, but not much bigger, with a 2MP camera.<br /><br />My guess (and experience) is that if you get and use a digicam, (especially if you have a computer), your film camera will get used less and less, eventually becoming just a dust collector. The economics of film cameras are just not there any more.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[norman158]

Re: Need Advice on Mavica Digital Cameras

I have had a Mavica for a couple years now (fd95)<br />i love it.my 35mm sets in the closet while the sony goes every where with us.look at the fd97 it stores on a floppy rather than a cd. floppys are cheap and reuseable. i can store 33 pics on a single floppy at the min resolution

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Need Advice on Mavica Digital Cameras

i have a Kodak DX3900. its a 3.1MGpx digicam. i never use it in full pix mode. its just not practical, (for me)unless you plan on selling pics for studio use. i changed my settings down so i could add another 100 pics on the ram-card. <br /><br />just my 2cents

 

[Hooty]

Re: Need Advice on Mavica Digital Cameras

I've got the FD73 and it's pretty well my every-day camera. I still use my 35mm for special stuff but that's just because I know more about it than the digital. <br />The Mavica is handy, easy to use and produces excelent results. I think so anyway.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Need Advice on Mavica Digital Cameras

Peterfishbuster<br /><br />Been using the CD300 for over a year now. Must have taken 1000 shots or more. It takes breathtaking pictures and has unsurpassed storage media. The quality of the lens is known as the best in the business as well. The features are also useful. Its manual as well as fully auto for the beginner. The 2 megapixel is a little skinny for large prints, 3 megapixel is adequate for most anyone, but the CD400 is the way to go. You will never regret buying Sony quality. Especially with the CDRW storage.<br />I don't know if you realize the potential of this camera. Its takes movie clips as well. The only draw back is that it doesn't have a view finder. It has a LCD panel at the rear. A view finder is available.<br />Be sure to check the Sony website, as there apparently is a $100 dollar rebate available.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Need Advice on Mavica Digital Cameras

I have to admit that I have not seen any of the new sonys that have come out in the last year. But, I would just like to pass along one tip. Find the camera that is easyest to use so you aren't fumbling with settings and such.<br /><br />I have one that is ok to use in daylight and if you have time, but you cannot get that quick shot, OR use it in low light conditions because none of the controls are lighted, including the led control screen, so you can't change any settings.<br /><br />I played with my nephew's new Olympus 4900? at Christmas and it was very convenient, $499.<br /><br />2 megapixel sound adequate for your needs, but for the small difference in price, I wouold get higher, your needs could quickly change.

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: Need Advice on Mavica Digital Cameras

I have a Sony Mavica FD73 (same as Hooty) and have linked many pictures taken with it to this site. <br /><br />Its quality (pixel) level is about right for websites & emailing etc. I use it a lot more than my 35mm although the film camera has much better resolution. The diskettes are handy and cost nearly nothing and so make for good long term storage. I get about 30 pictures per disk. My attitude is that the photos cost nothing so I take plenty of them...

 

[SlowlySinking]

Re: Need Advice on Mavica Digital Cameras

Hi Peterfishbuster, as always lots of good advice from the forum, before you buy a camera maybe check this web site for insight on digital cameras, hope it helps answer some of your questions. Good luck,,,,,<br /> http://www.shortcourses.com/choosing/contents.htm

 

[Scoop]

Re: Need Advice on Mavica Digital Cameras

The 2 Megapixel will do just fine for regular sized prints. For most pictures you will want to post etc, you will probably set the capture size down to get more pictures before changing media or downloading pictures. If you ever see yourself wanting the option of enlarging the pictures then the 4 megapixel is your best bet. You will have the weigh the price different yourself. Good luck. I think you will be happy with either one.

 

[Fishbusters]

Re: Need Advice on Mavica Digital Cameras

Thanks for the advice and info. I closely compared and weighed the options read the posts here and talked to some people who ordered them last time around and made a decision. Mainly I based it on the cost per pay period versus features. I went with the 400 which is an estimated $15 per pay period for two years. Since it is payroll deduction and not credit there are no financing charges or interest. I looked into the rebate and I am not sure the receipt I will get when I get the camera will be dated within the time frame because with this deal it takes about a month to process everything but the price is right compared to what Sony's suggested price is. I found out the deal comes with extra disks and a case so I saved a little money. I guess with the price and extras I got the same deal as if I had used the rebate but I will still use it if I can. Anyway once again thanks for the info and I will post a picture here sometime next month or later when I get it.

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Need Advice on Mavica Digital Cameras

Peterfishbuster <br />One last thing.....the macro (closeup focus) of that camera works so well that it makes computer scanners obsolete. The pictures are so vivid that text recognition programs will work as well. The biggest overlooked feature of 3 megapixels+ is that once a picture is taken at high resolution, zooming in can be done later on, making high quality cropping possible. I use the 300 for taking pictures of small fractures and imperfections. Our photography dept. has Olympus and Recoh, but still tend to borrow our Sony. I'm so impressed, I could go on and on and on......

 

[Fishbusters]

Re: Need Advice on Mavica Digital Cameras

Sounds like I made the right choice. I appreciate the heads up for using it instead of a scanner because that is one of the biggest reasons I wanted a digital camera is the fact my scanner works so slow. It makes a good copy but takes forever so I will keep that in mind when I get the camera.