Mavica Model Numbering: Decoding FD, CD, MVC & DKC

The four Mavica prefixes

Every Mavica camera model number begins with a prefix that tells you two things: what era the camera is from and what storage medium it uses.

FD — Floppy Disk

Example models: FD5, FD7, FD51, FD71, FD73, FD75, FD81, FD83, FD85, FD87, FD88, FD90, FD91, FD92, FD95, FD97, FD100, FD200

The FD prefix denotes the floppy disk Mavica series, produced from 1997 to 2002. These are the most iconic and widely recognised Mavica cameras — the ones that save photos directly to standard 3.5" HD floppy disks.

• FD5 / FD7: The original pair. FD5 was the entry-level (0.3 MP, no flash), FD7 added a flash and optical viewfinder.
• FD51 / FD71 / FD73 / FD75: Second generation with improved resolution and features.
• FD81 / FD83 / FD85 / FD87: Third generation. FD87 reached 1.2 MP.
• FD88 / FD90 / FD91 / FD92: The "FD-90 series" — peak floppy Mavica with FD91 offering image stabilisation and an EVF.
• FD95 / FD97: Final floppy models with 2.1 MP sensors, optical zoom up to 10×, and Memory Stick slots alongside floppy.
• FD100 / FD200: Last gasp of the FD line. FD200 was 1.3 MP with 3× zoom — a budget model.

General pattern: Higher numbers within a generation indicate more features. Odd numbers (FD5, FD7, FD51) were early; two-digit numbers mid-range; three-digit numbers (FD100, FD200) were late budget entries.

CD — Compact Disc

Example models: CD200, CD250, CD300, CD350, CD400, CD500, CD1000

The CD prefix denotes the CD Mavica series, produced from 2000 to 2003. These cameras record images onto 8cm CD-R or CD-RW mini discs, offering vastly more storage than floppy (156 MB vs 1.44 MB).

• CD200: Entry level, 2.1 MP
• CD250 / CD300 / CD350: Mid-range with 3.3 MP
• CD400: Compact design, 2.1 MP
• CD500: The popular enthusiast model — 5.0 MP with Carl Zeiss lens
• CD1000: The flagship — 5.0 MP, 10× Carl Zeiss zoom, image stabilisation

Pattern: Numbers roughly correspond to feature level. The CD1000 designation explicitly signals "top of the line."

MVC — Mavica Video Camera

Example models: MVC-A10, MVC-A7AF, MVC-C1, MVC-2000, MVC-5000, MVC-7000

The MVC prefix is the original Mavica designation and covers two distinct eras:

Still-video era (1981–1993):

• MVC-2000 / MVC-5000 / MVC-7000: The ProMavica professional line. Analogue still-video cameras recording onto 2" Video Floppy disks with A-mount interchangeable lenses.

Transition era (1996–1998):

• MVC-A10: The original 1981 prototype designation recycled for an early Memory Stick model.
• MVC-A7AF: Early still-video Mavica with autofocus.
• MVC-C1: A compact Memory Stick Mavica — technically a Cyber-shot precursor.

The MVC prefix was retired for consumer cameras as the FD/CD naming took over, but it lived on briefly in mixed-format models.

DKC — Digital Camera (Industrial)

Example models: DKC-C100X, DKC-C200X, DKC-C2050X, DKC-C21X, DKC-C300X, DKC-CM30, DKC-ID1

The DKC prefix denotes Sony's industrial and professional digital camera line, produced from approximately 1994 to 2000. These were not consumer products — they were sold through professional/industrial channels for:

• Studio copy work and art digitisation
• Scientific and medical imaging
• ID badge / access card photography

Sub-numbering:

• C = Camera (general), CM = Camera/Monitor (video capable), ID = Identification
• X suffix indicates a later revision (e.g., C200X superseded C200)
• Higher C-numbers indicate higher resolution/capability

The numbering logic

Generation indicators

Within the FD line, Sony used a rough pattern:

Feature tier indicators

Within a generation, higher numbers usually mean more features:

• FD71 (basic) → FD73 (with multi-burst) → FD75 (with more zoom)
• FD81 (basic) → FD85 (more zoom) → FD87 (highest resolution)
• CD200 (entry) → CD300 (mid) → CD500 (advanced) → CD1000 (flagship)

Exceptions

• FD88: Sits between 3rd gen and 4th gen — it was a Japanese-market transitional model.
• FD92: A cost-reduced variant of the FD91, dropping image stabilisation.
• CD250 / CD350: Minor mid-cycle refreshes of the CD200 and CD300 respectively.

Quick reference table

Why it matters

Understanding the model number lets you instantly know:

1. What media you need — floppy disks, CD-Rs, Video Floppies, or a SCSI cable
2. What era of technology to expect — resolution, features, lens quality
3. Where the camera sits in the lineup — budget entry, mid-range, or flagship
4. Approximate market value — higher-tier models within each prefix command higher prices