Sony MVC-FD100 Mavica

Review Date
December 19, 2004

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
0-1 years

Reviewed by
practical info , Professional

Price Paid
$425.00 at office max

Summary
The Mavica FD 100 is a very useful camera for the professional and amature. The greatest feature is the ability to use floppy disc. There is a reliability problem however that over rides my love for this camera. There seems to be a wide spread problem with disk formatt error problems. I called Sony reference the problem and was instructed to send the camera back and for $180 they would fix the problem. The problem seems to surface after a few months and gets worse until the camera is useless. After buying a $100 battery and using a floppy disc cleaner it works [sometimes!]50%. It seems that if Sony knows what the problem is, and how much it costs, they must know there is a widespread problem here and should recall the defective cameras and repair them, N/C. I cant help but like this camera as it has been the perfect camera until the bug surfaced.

Strengths
Great pictures, easy to learn, uses floppy discs and chips.

Weaknesses
The formatt error problem and the lack of affordable service.

Similar Products Used
sony FD/Cannon powershot a 60/70/ olympus c-5060

Customer Service
The customer service is friendly, effecient, and very helpful in trying to solve the problem. Much better than expected. Good info available. The price however for service repair is not going to get many takers$$$$$$$$$$$

Review Date
August 30, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
0-1 years

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by
Connie Heckerman , Casual , from Jefferson City, MO

Price Paid
$29900.00 at Wal-Mart

Summary
I was sold on it the minute the sales clerk took a macro picture of his watch - it was excellent! I have had the camera for about 5 months and taken at LEAST 2,000 photos.

Outdoor photos are fantastic-especially on a sunny day, macro is excellent. I have shot beautiful butterfly/flower pics with it. The best thing I can say about this camera is I can take pictures of hummingbirds that are practically flawless. I would never have dreamed the wings could be so clearly viewed!!!

I also like the idea of using the floppies, it has came in very handy for copying to a disc and handing them to a family/friend for them to take home with them right then and there.

I do have the problem with dark pictures inside. I have to manually change the white balance from indoor to outdoor (the auto does not appear to work for me) but changing the white balance seems to do the trick just fine. (also make sure the flash is on normal, I have had it set on the lower setting and the pictures are too dark.

Strengths
Excellent macro
The floppy disc capability
Great viewing screen
User friendly
Great battery time (use and charge time)

Weaknesses
Have to manually change white balance From inside to outside and vice versa.

Customer Service
Not had to use

Review Date
July 1, 2003

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
0-1 years

Reviewed by
CoraJo , Intermediate , from New Market, TN USA

Price Paid
$300.00 at Wal-Mart

Summary
Well the Imation disks worked fine for us for awhile, but our new Mavica fd-100 started having "format error" c:13 whatever problem a few weeks ago. We bought it in Feb. this year and it already has died. I'm ticked. Our used one we got off eBay lasted at least a year before it started doing this.

Sony apparently doesn't answer any issues that customers have.

DO THIS: Go to search.yahoo.com type in "Sony Mavica Format Error" and look at all the crap that comes up. that's how I found this board.

I think we need to contact their CEO.

Strengths
Good quality in bright light. Inside with normal light in daylight hours produces darkened photos. Needed to brighten on my computer.

Weaknesses
Disk format errors. WILL NOT accept any disk. Tried removing/replacing battery as suggested on the Sony support page with no results. Also tried formatting disk inside the camera and it still didnt recognize the disk.

Similar Products Used
sony mavica mvc-fd75?

Customer Service
Only response with our first used camera was to take it to a service location. Cost was enough to warrant getting a new camera. We did, and now it has issues less than 6 months after purchase. We'll see if sony responds to the email i sent.

Review Date
April 19, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
0-1 years

Reviewed by
ragc , Intermediate , from Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.

Price Paid
$300.00 at ?

Summary
My second digital point-and-shoot. I shoot vintage film cameras, from old tlrs to 35mm slrs and medium format ttls. This little camera can compete almost as an equal in many areas, and gives me great control for a point-and-shoot.

Strengths
Spot metering mode! Love it!
Floppy AND Memory Stick capability.

Weaknesses
No shutter speed manual priority selection.

Similar Products Used
Kodak DC215 Zoom - broke twice

Customer Service
No experience.

Review Date
March 20, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
0-1 years

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by
Patrick Cambre , Intermediate , from New Iberia, La., USA

Price Paid
$299.00 at Wal-Mart

Summary
I wanted a camera specifically designed to take close-up pictures. I do a lot of circuitry board picture taken. The camera is 'outstanding' in the MACRO feature. I have been looking for a camera for this specific job....and the FD100 does the job great!

I have also taken outdoor pictures. It also does a well job. But the MACRO quality is indeed an understatement.

Sincerely, Patrick Cambre

Strengths
MACRO feature is fantastic....up to 1 3/8 inches away from the subject!!!
I also love all manual over-rides it has. Almost like my Mamiya Sekor way back when. Yes, all the functions are indeed a great thing to have...the more functions, the more manual control!

Weaknesses
I haven't found any yet, as I have only bought it two days ago.

Similar Products Used
None

Customer Service
Have not had problems with the camera as of yet.