Sony MZ-E30

Source: MiniDisc Wiki contributors · September 3, 2026 snapshot · CC BY 4.0, except where otherwise credited.

Attribution and changes

Adapted from “Sony MZ-E30”. Links, layout and file names normalized; missing database fields restored; remote embeds replaced with links. Manufacturer manuals and separately credited photographs retain their original attribution.

Name	MZ-E30
Manufacturer	Sony
Released	1996/11
Device type	portable
Recorder	Player
MDLP	No
NetMD	No
Hi-MD	No
Radio	No
Dimensions	82 x 25.8 x 79.6mm
Weight	120g
ATRAC ver	Not recorded
Battery	Not recorded "Gumstick"
Battery notes	Not recorded
Sidecar (depr)	1xAA
Voltage	1.5
Power cable	Center positive
Price (launch)	Not recorded
Price (launch)	¥38 000
-
Inputs	Not recorded
Outputs	3.5mm headphone
Control	Remote (Sony)

Offered in Silver, Sparkling Blue and Sparkling Orange.

"MD Jacket" design (i.e.-shaped like an MD case). LCD on both device and remote. ~4 hour battery life on NiMH, another 4 or so with the AA sidecar.

Equipped with 1 song repeat, all repeat, shuffle repeat playback modes.
Gum pack shaped Nickel-Hydride rechargeable cell quick-charger included. Can produce 40% charge in about 15 minutes, full charge in about 60 minutes.
Monaurally recorded discs are automatically played back in monaural mode with “auto-monaural playback mode.”

"Both Machines – compared to the previous MZ-E3:
Development of the ultra small pickup: by adopting a magnesium diecast construction, an 80% weight reduction and 30% thickness reduction was achieved.
Newly developed LSI: gives a 45% reduction in parts count.
Newly developed LSI: cuts power consumption to less than 50%, realizes ability to drive unit with 1.5V ‘gum pack shape’ Nickel-Hydride cell."

Optical pickup: ODX-01 - Sony part# A-3311-036-A
ATRAC Decoding chip: UPD63739GC0-9EU
Minidisc mechanism type: MT-MZE30-126

Content adapted from: Sony Press Release minidisc.org translation of original press release MZ-E30 Minidisc.org page