The Pioneering Sony Mavica: Video and Stills on Video Floppy Discs

In August 1981, Sony unveiled a prototype of the Sony Mavica as the “world’s first electronic still camera.” The Mavica (Magnetic Video Camera) was a brand of Sony cameras which used removable magnetic disks as the main recording medium. The early models weren’t digital, but relied on an analog video signal produced by the sensor, stored on the disks and shown on a television screen. They are considered forerunners of digital photography because the Mavica name was also used for a series of digital cameras (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_Mavica). In 1996, Sony introduced the Mavica FD5 and FD7 simultaneously. “These two were the first truly digital models in the Mavica series from Sony, as the earlier Mavicas were still-video cameras recording analog scan lines onto 2″ Video Floppies. The FD designation referred to the use of 3.5″ computer floppy disks for storage, which continued through to the 2002 Mavica FD100 and FD200” (http://camerawiki.org/wiki/Sony_Mavica_FD7). The higher-end FD7 used a 640×480 pixel sensor and saved JPEGs image files. Images could be saved in pastel, sepia, and black-and-white. The next series of Mavicas include the FD71, the mid-range FD81, and the top-of-the-line FD91. All cameras in this line stored images on standard floppy disks. The cameras accommodated much higher pixel resolutions, so fewer images could be stored on a disk. “With its ungainly body design and image quality lagging even its 1998 peers, the FD91 is mostly a curiosity today” (http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Sony_Mavica_FD91). A later Mavica series stored images on 8cm compact discs. This included the Mavica MVC-CD200, 250, 300, 350, and the 400 which was the “first Mavica to use ‘Hologram AF’ laser-assisted lowlight autofocus” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_Mavica#Digital_Mavica_line). The Mavica line is no longer being produced.

You May Also Be Interested In:

PHOTOGRAPHICA 90 & The Last-Minute Details

Photographica 90 is just 48 hours away. This is the 50th Anniversary Year for PHSNE and for the Photographica Show and Sale. Both began in 1973 … and here we are, 50 years later. What would those 1973 PHSNE members

The Blair Combination Camera from Boston

Combination cameras were manufactured in Boston by the Blair Tourograph & Dry Plate Company from 1882 to 1894 and “are traditional field designs offered with a unique [patented] accessory plate-holder extension mounted at the rear” (https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/226546-blaircombination-camera-1882). In an 1882 pamphlet,

To the Dealers, Attendees, PHSNE Staff, Volunteers and the NNHS: 

THANK YOU!

You made PHOTOGRAPHICA 90 the best EVER!

Our 50th Anniversary Year Celebration Will Continue Throughout 2023

PHSNE May Meeting: Bernie Zelitch “Discovers” Lowell Photographer Annie Powell

Sunday, May 7, 2023 7:30PM on Zoom


June Meeting: PEM Curator Stephanie Tung

Sunday, June 4, 2023 at 7:30PM on Zoom

Give Us Your Feedback on Photographica 90

Use the Contact Form


Support PHSNE on eBay 

Visit seller Mass495 for deals from PHSNE


Become a PHSNE Member

Our members bring their curiosity, enthusiasm, and knowledge to bear on every aspect of photo history, from the earliest experiments to the present day—and tomorrow. We welcome your participation and support of our society. Join PHSNE today!
Your membership includes:
    • The New England Journal of Photographic History
    • 10 Issues of snap shots newsletters
    • Monthly meetings online and in-person
    • Informative presentations
    • Periodic field trips & vintage camera shoots
    • Free admission to PHSNE’s Photographica show & auction

PHSNE

Bulletin Board

To the Dealers, Attendees, PHSNE Staff, Volunteers and the NNHS: 

THANK YOU!

You made PHOTOGRAPHICA 90 the best EVER!

Our 50th Anniversary Year Celebration Will Continue Throughout 2023

PHSNE May Meeting: Bernie Zelitch “Discovers” Lowell Photographer Annie Powell

Sunday, May 7, 2023 7:30PM on Zoom


June Meeting: PEM Curator Stephanie Tung

Sunday, June 4, 2023 at 7:30PM on Zoom

Give Us Your Feedback on Photographica 90

Use the Contact Form


Support PHSNE on eBay 

Visit seller Mass495 for deals from PHSNE