BMP Uncompressed Output

What is BMP?

BMP (Bitmap) is Microsoft's uncompressed image format. Unlike JPEG, a BMP file stores every pixel's colour value without any lossy compression. This means:

• No compression artifacts — no blocky edges, no colour banding
• Massive file sizes — a 640 × 480 BMP is approximately 900 KB
• Perfect fidelity — what the CCD captured is exactly what you get

BMP on Mavica

Which models support BMP?

BMP output is available on a limited number of floppy Mavica models:

Later models (FD85, FD87, FD91, FD92, FD95, FD97, FD100, FD200) and all CD-series cameras dropped BMP support. By 2000, JPEG quality had improved enough that Sony considered the tradeoff unjustifiable.

The floppy math

A standard 1.44 MB floppy disk holds:

That's right — one BMP image takes up most of a floppy disk. You can fit exactly one 640 × 480 BMP on a 1.44 MB floppy with about 560 KB left over (enough for one more JPEG).

How to enable BMP

1. Open the camera menu (MENU button)
2. Navigate to Quality or Image Size setting
3. Select BMP or Uncompressed
4. The LCD may display a floppy icon with "1" to indicate one image per disk

On some models, BMP is hidden under a sub-menu or requires pressing a specific button combination. Consult the model's manual.

BMP vs JPEG quality comparison

Compression artifacts

JPEG Fine on a Mavica uses aggressive compression by modern standards. On images with fine detail (text, foliage, fabric), JPEG artifacts are clearly visible at 100% zoom. BMP preserves this detail perfectly.

Colour accuracy

JPEG compression can introduce subtle colour banding in gradients (sky, shadows). BMP captures the full 24-bit colour output of the camera's image processor.

Practical visibility

At web resolution (social media, 640 × 480 display size), the difference between JPEG Fine and BMP is subtle. At 100% crop or when printed, BMP images are noticeably cleaner.

When to use BMP

Archival photography

If you're documenting artwork, text documents, or anything where fidelity matters, BMP preserves the maximum information the camera can capture.

Post-processing source material

BMP files respond better to editing — contrast adjustments, colour correction, and sharpening all produce cleaner results without amplifying JPEG artifacts.

Comparison and testing

If you're evaluating a Mavica's lens or sensor quality, BMP removes compression as a variable. Useful for comparing models or testing repair work.

When NOT to use BMP

Casual shooting

One image per disk is brutally limiting. For everyday photography, JPEG Fine is the pragmatic choice.

Motion or events

The floppy write time for a 900 KB BMP file is approximately:

• 1× drive: ~22 seconds
• 2× drive: ~11 seconds
• 4× drive: ~6 seconds

Even on a 4× drive, 6 seconds per shot makes BMP impractical for anything time-sensitive.

High-resolution models

Models with 1 MP+ resolution dropped BMP support because uncompressed images at higher resolutions (1024 × 768 = 2.3 MB, 1600 × 1200 = 5.6 MB) exceed floppy capacity entirely.

Reading BMP files

BMP files from Mavica cameras open natively on Windows (any version), macOS (Preview), and Linux (any image viewer). No special software is needed — BMP is one of the most universally supported image formats.

Practical tips

1. Carry extra disks: At one BMP per disk, you need as many disks as shots.
2. Pre-format all disks: Minimize setup time between shots.
3. Mix formats: Shoot important subjects in BMP and casual shots in JPEG Fine. Switch via the menu between shots.
4. Archive immediately: Copy BMP files to a computer as soon as possible. Floppy disks are fragile storage media — one bad sector destroys the entire image.