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Sony MVC-FD95 Sony takes the Mavica line to 2.1 megapixels, and 12-bit digitization! Select a topic Reference: Datasheet MVC-FD95 Sample Images --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Executive Overview 3. Design 4. Viewfinder 5. Optics 6. Exposure & Flash 7. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 8. Operation & User Interface 9. Camera Modes & Menus 10. Image Storage & Interface 11. Video, Power, Software 12. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Executive Overview :(Previous) | (Next): Viewfinder>> Page 3:Design Review First Posted: 7/13/2000

Design
As the most recent addition to Sony's Mavica series, the FD95 reflects the line's tendency toward larger body styles, dictated by the physical dimensions of the included floppy drive. Despite first-guess estimates based on its hefty size, the camera feels lighter than you'd think. Weighing in at 34 ounces (970 g), including the battery pack, the FD95 is just one ounce heavier than the previous top-of-the-line FD91 model. Although that's a great deal more weight than many smaller digicams carry, it's still lighter than what your first assumption might be, mostly due to the tough plastic body. The camera's overall size is 5 x 5 x 7.25 inches (126 x 124 x 184 mm). While the FD95 won't easily slip into your coat pocket, (the size must accommodate the required floppy disks and the very long-ratio zoom lens), the accompanying neck strap makes it easy to tote.

The top of the FD95 is fairly plain, holding the shutter button, pop-up flash, external flash mount and external flash sync connection. You can also see the ridged manual focusing ring on the front of the lens in this view.

The rather large lens dominates the front of the camera, with a squared off rest to keep the lens from banging when the camera is set down. (This "rest" also houses the Steady-Shot system.) Also on the front of the camera is the zoom control lever and microphone.

We liked the bulky hand grip on the side of the camera, which gives you a nice, solid hold. Conveniently, the floppy disk slot is also on this side, making it simple to change disks in and out when the camera is mounted on a tripod.

The majority of the camera's controls are on the left side of the camera (when viewed from the back), which we're more accustomed to after working with other Mavica models. Zoom, focus, Steady Shot, white balance, Program AE, spot metering and macro options are all controlled from this side. An audio/video out terminal also resides on this side of the camera (at the bottom), which is protected by a flexible rubber flap that conveniently slides out of the way when opened. There's also a dioptric adjustment dial on the side of the optical viewfinder, to accommodate near and farsighted users.

Some controls do remain on the back panel though, namely power, capture mode, flash, volume, the menu button, LCD on/off button and the display button. The optical viewfinder and LCD panel also live back here (this time the LCD display is stationary, unlike some Mavica models where the LCD panel actually flips upward or has swiveling capability). We liked the idea of having an information display in the optical viewfinder, but ultimately still found it a little awkward navigating through menus with our face pressed against the back of the camera.

We greatly appreciated the placement of the tripod mount and the battery compartment. They're just barely far enough away from each other to allow battery changes while mounted. The metal threads of the tripod mount also gave us a bit more security that we wouldn't strip them when we tightened down the tripod screw. Our only complaint with the tripod mount was that the socket doesn't have a lot of flat area around it, particularly toward the front of the camera. This made it more prone to front-to-back rocking when mounted on the tripod.