Sony MVCCD300 3MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

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Product Details

Product Manual [3.55mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 3.7 x 5.7 x 3.7 inches ; 1.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds
• Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
• ASIN: B00005LVWA
• Item model number: MVCCD300
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #12,312 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 18, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The unique feature of Sony's CD300 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 3-megapixel sensor, 3x optical zoom lens, jumbo 2.5-inch display, and long-life rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

Optics and Resolution

The CD300's 3-megapixel sensor captures ample detail for sharp prints at sizes up to 8 by 10 inches. For a serious amateur photographer, 3 megapixels is a great resolution, providing enough detail to perform some cropping and still have crisp prints.

A 3x optical zoom Carl Zeiss 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 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 images or review shots you've already taken, the CD300 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 CD300 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 80 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 CD300 fits nicely into most SLR camera carrying cases.

Contents and Recommended Accessories

The package includes the CD300 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:

• No traditional optical viewfinder
• CD drive makes the camera bigger and heavier than cameras using memory cards

Product Description

Sony's new MVC-CD300 digital still camera features 3.3-megapixel resolution, a 3x Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar zoom lens and extensive manual focus and exposure controls for easy use. But it also makes saving photos a snap. With the MVC-CD300, you can store more than 1,000 VGA still images on a single CD-R compact disc. For even greater flexibility, save the photos on a CD-RW compact disc, which can be erased and reused hundreds of times. Both CDs, which can also store more than 90 minutes of MPEG video, are compatible with virtually any personal computer. And moreover, the MVC-CD300 is just slightly taller than the CD itself.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

142 of 143 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW... everything a digital camera should be., July 19, 2001

By	J. Sade "jeffsade" (Dallas, TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have used several digital cameras and the Sony MVC-CD300 is the best by far. Being able to burn a rewritable CD - at a cost of less than $5 per CD with 150MB - is a BIG advantage over memory card style cameras (a 128MB card can run a couple hundred dollars). The electronic storage problem that I faced with memory cards no longer applies (I travel a lot and always have my camera in my hand so you can imagine the number of pictures taken).

I have been able to store close to 100 pictures at the highest resolution on one CD making it very easy to file, catalog and find my pictures. I have not had the problem that the previous reviewer did in being able to delete a picture and reuse the space. He must be using regular CDs (certainly an option) rather than the rewriteable ones.

It was very easy to initially set up and use and has multiple ways to get the pictures to my PC. I usually use the USB hook-up and even use the camera as a rewriteable CD for pictures other folks send me. When I am feeling lazy, I just plop the CD in my DVD drive which also works great.

With 3.3 megapixels, the picture clarity couldn't be better. I have printed out 8 x 10s that look like they were taken by an expensive 35mm camera. The number of options for picture sizing is also enough to satisfy any "normal" requirement.

If I had to point out one issue with the camera, it is size. While certainly not the largest camera on the market, it is a bit bulkier than I would prefer (I like sticking a camera in my pocket and I need to use a fanny pack to carry this one around).

All in all, if you are looking for a camera that can take 35mm quality pictures and still stay digital, I would highly recommend this Sony.

111 of 111 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely fantastic camera!, February 15, 2002

By A Customer

... I, too, love this camera and pretty much agree with everyone else. This is the best purchase I've made in quite some time, so I'm just going to provide some information that I wish I'd had before I ordered the camera.

The camera is fairly bulky. It's pretty much what you'd expect for a device with a built in CD writer but, when compared to other digital cameras, this thing's pretty big. I personally think that the benefits of writing the picture to a CD more than outweigh the minor inconveniences of a larger camera, but you should probably go to a local store that carries one and see if the size will bother you. Didn't bother me much at all.

The delay in taking the picture can be annoying at times. Yes, there is a delay BETWEEN pictures as well (a more pronounced delay, in fact) due to the camera writing the image to the CD, but there's also a lesser talked about delay for even the very first picture. You need to hold the button halfway down for the camera to focus properly, and then wait 'til the camera tells you it's ready before you can take the picture. There isn't much of a wait, but there IS one and it can be aggravating at times. This particular delay, however, as far as I know, is common to ALL digital cameras, so I'm assuming that a digital camera just isn't a very good option for taking pictures that require split-second timing.

You will probably want a case for this camera. The lens DOES have a cap, but the display doesn't and can be scratched fairly easily.
You'll probably also want an additional battery and separate charger if you're more than an occasional user. The battery lasts about 90 minutes (without flash) and has a built-in chip that tells the camera how much time is left ... a pretty nice feature that's displayed for all to see in picture taking mode.

I've seen mixed reviews on the CD-R / CD-RW debate. I have used the CD-RW discs exclusively so far and haven't had any problems. One thing you should be aware of is that you can't go back and erase the pictures on the discs selectively. You CAN erase the last picture taken (if using CD-RW media) and replace it with your very next picture, but you can't go back further than one picture. Well, to be more specific, you ARE allowed to go back and erase a picture older than your last one, but it won't gain you any more disc space.
You CAN, of course, erase the whole disc and use it again whenever you wish (again, if using CD-RW), but you just can't go back, let's say, five pictures, erase one picture, then expect the disc space to increase enough to allow more pictures than it would have had if you'd left that picture on the disc.

The camera often takes dark pictures. I've found that the picture is normally of better quality if I force the flash ... even in fairly well lit areas. There may be another technical tweak that would accomplish the same thing, but I'm an extreme novice when it comes to photography.

It's VERY hard to find cases to protect these little discs! I have yet to find one. When buying these little discs, you usually have a choice of approximately 50 CD-R's on a spindle, or approximately 10 Mavica CD-R's in little cases ... both cost roughly the same price, but you can't seem to find protective sleeves or cases for the ones with a spindle. Not exactly a deal breaker, but annoying nonetheless.

One disc holds about 81 pictures at the highest quality (which is absolutely breathtaking), and over 1000 at the lowest quality (which you will probably NEVER want to use).
If you have a good printer, print the picture on photo quality paper, and use the highest quality setting, I don't think you'll be able to tell the difference between that picture and an actual photograph.
I am an EXTREME novice at photography and I have taken some stunning pictures with the default settings, but this camera also has a dizzying array of manual settings for even the most advanced photographer.

I couldn't seem to easily find what out what this camera was SUPPOSED to come with, so that's what I'm supplying.

Camera.
One battery.
Lens cap.
Adaptec Direct CD software.
MGI Photo software.
USB cable for connection to computer.
Power supply for the camera (used to charge the battery).
8cm adapter to put the mini-discs into a regular drive.
Manufacturer warranty (I think it's one year, may be 90 days).
One CD-R media.
One CD-RW media.

Well that's about what I wanted to know when I was thinking of buying this camera. Hope this review helps.

122 of 123 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding - An excellent value., July 31, 2001

By	Jonathan C. Putman "rev320" (Birmingham, AL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My wife gave me my MVC-CD300 for my birthday. It arrived just in time for our 4th of July family reunion. I took 450 pictures over 5 days and had only one that was not a keeper (credit camera, not photographer). The camera allows you to not only review your shots, but to zoom up to 5X to really check out the details of the photos you've taken. Each evening we would hook the camera up to the TV with the RCA cable (included) and set the camera on "Slide Show". It was so much better than I imagined, beautiful high-resolution photographs of the day automatically displayed for everyone to enjoy (and critique). When the week was over I downloaded slide show software from CyPics and burned a CD for everyone to have all 450 pictures at a cost of less than a dollar per CD. Plus, they can insert the pictures into Word for cropping and printing with almost no effort at all. I have yet to use the USB cable since it is no problem to just use my pc's CD drive. I had planned to archive my photos on the camera's small CD, but it is so easy to copy them to the hard drive and burn a larger CD with about 800 photographs that I have gone to using the rewriteable CDs in the camera. I use the 2nd highest resolution on the MVC-CD300 and get about 150 shots per CD and they give excellent 8x10 prints. The cost per shot (including archiving) is almost nothing, so you feel totally free to snap away. You couldn't ask for a better combination of features.