Sony Marketing (Japan) Inc. unveiled the "CD Mavica MVC-CD250" and "MVC-CD400," digital still cameras using 8cm CD-Rs/RWs as the recording medium.

The MVC-CD250 comes with 2 million pixels and the MVC-CD400 with 4 million pixels. Both types have a 3x optical zoom lens. They are open-priced: the MVC-CD250 is expected to be priced around 70,000 yen and the MVC-CD400 to be around 100,000 yen. Both of them will be marketed from June 8. (127.74 yen = US$1)

The two types are succeeding models to the "CD Mavica" series of "MVC-CD200" and "MVC-CD300" released in June 2001. Sony improved specifications such as increased pixel numbers, longer battery sustaining hours, and so on. Both new models use a lithium charging battery. MVC-CD250 can take a maximum of 2,400 images and the MVC-CD400 up to 1,800 images. The previous CD Mavica models can make a maximum of 800 exposures.

Basic specifications of the MVC-CD250 are as follows. It has a 1/2.7-inch CCD. Its lens has a focal length equivalent to 41mm-123mm for a 35mm-film camera, and the F values ranging 3.8-3.9. It measures 138mm by 95mm by 101mm, weighing 490g.

MVC-CD400 has a 1/1.8-inch CCD. Its lens has a focal length equivalent to 34mm-102mm for a 35mm-film camera, and F2.0-2.5. It measures 138mm by 95mm by 103mm, weighing 520g.