Greetings, Jim et al.-- ----- Original Message ----- From: Jim Meagher <[log in to unmask]> > The Sony Mavica camera line is the =only= one that uses PC compatible > floppy disks to store the images. I'm not sure what you consider to be a > high resolution picture. Generally, high-res equates with large file size (which, of course, includes mega-pixel bit depth among other factors). >My FD-81 takes pictures at 1024x768, as well as > at 640x480, or 320x240 resolution and it can save in both JPG or BMP > format. At my school, we have the earlier FD-71 which is limited to .jpg. The 81 is a newer model, and perhaps its optics are better. >With the right printer and glossy paper, 1024x768 prints can only > be (visually) distinguished from a real photograph with a magnifying > glass. > Possibly...my own personal jury is still out on that one <g>....The one tweak I have many times wished to be able to successfully accomplish is to increase the sharpness. I have used iPhoto, Ulead's Photo Assistant (?), and Alchemy Mindworks's Graphic Workshop for Windows 95, to attempt this, and, without exception, the resulting image was unacceptably dithered, necessitating an undo. > > My suggestions for Joan are to look for a camera with removable storage > media. I can't think of anything more frustrating than missing that one > last perfect shot because the camera is full. > > Another (major?) consideration should be how long it takes to transfer > the pictures from the camera to the PC. With a "cabled" camera, you are > limited to "downloading" the pictures to one PC only -- and with some that > time can be quite long. With the Mavica, you can pop the disk out and > stick it into any PC (or MAC) and have instant access to all the photos. > > > Jim Meagher > ===== > Micro Solutions Consulting Member of The HTML Writers Guild > http://www.ezy.net/~microsol International Webmasters Association > 410-543-8996 MS Site Builder Network - Level 2 member > ===== Concerning the intended use (possibly by a number of users with various levels of experience), I concur most enthusiastically with the remainder of your suggestions. Floppies are easy to carry and universal, and the level of resolution, while IMHO not high enough for professional graphic artist works, is certainly adequate for the stated task. As other posters have also suggested, invest in a spare battery. The InfoLithium (Sony's name for it) is expensive at ca. $75.00 but, ....miss the shot? (and the info part reports remaining time--nice)..... They do charge quickly, but a spare has proved to be very handy for our school situation (on field trips, etc.). FWIW, Paul A. Shippert Library/Media Specialist " . . . and your wise men don't know how it feels to be thick as a brick." Jethro Tull [log in to unmask] Curious about the people moderating your messages? Visit our staff web site: http://nospin.com/pc/staff.html