Sony Launching alpha Digital SLR line.
Sony has established a new brand name for its digital single lens reflex (D- SLR) cameras that will be launched worldwide this summer.
Meaning “beginning” and “essential,” the symbol a (pronounced alpha) embodies the spirit of Sony’s approach to the D- SLR market. Under this sub-brand, Sony will produce a complete camera system of accessories and lenses to enhance the enjoyment of photography.
The Sony α™ mount system of cameras, lenses and accessories will integrate advanced electromechanical technologies that are key to D- SLR performance, the versatility of the well-established Maxxum® lens mount system, and Sony’s renown in imaging devices and technologies. These include CCD and CMOS imaging sensors, as well as other image processing technologies, in addition to overall product miniaturization. People who have already made investments in many of Konica-Minolta’s lenses and accessories will be able to take full advantage of Sony’s new D- SLR cameras.
“We are expanding our product portfolio to build upon our leadership position in the digital imaging business,” said James Neal, director of marketing for digital imaging products at Sony Electronics. “ Our approach to D- SLR camera design and engineering will allow us to offer a new high-performance system for today’s digital camera users, as well as welcome the millions of Konica-Minolta owners who have Maxxum interchangeable lenses that are currently in the market.”
Sony is already handling support and repair service for existing Konica-Minolta digital and film cameras, as well as related lenses and accessories in the U.S. A dedicated call center and strong levels of web support have been established for these customers.
There is more information available about the new sub-brand at www.sony.com/dslr. Sony camera and related product support for Konica Minolta customers is also being offered at www.support.sony.com/EN/KM/service.html
Konica Minolta Exits Camera Market
Well, tomorrow is the day when Konica Minolta shuts down its doors and exits the camera market. The company has said that its departure is due to its inability to keep up with the speed at which the market is changing.
The company has said that from tomorrow customers with any servicing requests of Konica, Minolta and Konica Minolta branded products either within or outside of warranty, including Digital Still Cameras, DSLR cameras, Analogue SLR cameras, Analogue LS, Flashguns, lenses and accessories, Film Scanners is to be handled by the sole appointed servicing agent need to contact JP Service Solutions in Newcastle under Lyme.
Source: Pocket-Lint
Konica Minolta Withdraw from Camera Business
When I first saw the title, I figured they were just going to drop production on any non-Digital camera parts, but it looks as though they are handing over the reigns to the company they partnered up with last year, and are totally getting out of marketing and selling their own camera lines. Very shocking, eventhough I knew there was high competition happening in the camera world, I did not think any big recognizable brands would fail under the pressure.
Press Release:
Konica Minolta has long been a leading company in photo imaging business covering wide range of imaging from input to output. In addition, we have provided inspiring products and services by fusing our unique technologies.
In camera business, we have expanded picture-taking opportunities by developing innovative technologies such as the world’s first autofocus cameras. In 1962, our camera, well-accepted for its high reliability, boarded on the US’s first manned spaceship “Friendship 7.” Also, ever since introduction of the world’s first body-integral autofocus SLR camera, Maxxum/Dynax series, in 1985, SLR cameras have become more popular among picture-takers, and we have succeeded in selling 16 million units of interchangeable lenses since then.
However, in today’s era of digital cameras, where image sensor technologies such as CCD is indispensable, it became difficult to timely provide competitive products even with our top optical, mechanical and electronics technologies.
In photo business, represented by the silver-halide photography such as color film and color paper, we have produced Japan’s first photographic paper in 1903, and Japan’s first color film in 1940, thus pioneering joy of photography for more than a century. In 1984, we introduced the world’s first compact washless photofinishing system known as a minilab system. The minilabs contributed to the expansion of worldwide photographic market by making photos closer to consumers and amazingly shortening delivery time.
However, traditional silver-halide photographic market is shrinking astonishingly by the surge of the worldwide digitization. In such a changing world, profits for camera and photo businesses worsened in recent years, and it became necessary to drastically reform business structure for the further growth of Konica Minolta. Ever since we decided and announced restructuring guidelines of our businesses on November 4, 2005, we have been considering practical and detailed plan, and we would like to announce our decision made today as follows:
(more…)
Konica Minolta: New A-series Firmware
Konica Minolta USA has released new firmware updates for its DiMAGE A1 and A2 digital cameras in the last few days.
To get to the firmware, you have to use the dropdown menus, as the link goes to a search page rather than directly to the firmware. (I dislike sites that do this)
Available on its support website, firmware versions 1.13u for the DiMAGE A1 and 1.14u for the DiMAGE A2 both list the same changes.
The firmware is said to offer improved memory card write speed, as well as improved USB transfer speed. Installation instructions can be found on the support website.
Konica Minolta DiMAGE X1 Review
An interesting and slim digital camera from Konica Minolta finds space for an 8 megapixel CCD sensor in its compact frame, and Imaging Resource put it through its paces. Is high resolution in a compact container a good idea?
The Konica Minolta DiMAGE X1 is an unusual digital camera, packing an 8 megapixel sensor, a 3x zoom lens, and anti-shake technology into a compact, stylish case. Its image quality is good, with a much better than average lens for a subcompact camera, very accurate color, and loads of resolution. Packing all those pixels into a tiny sensor does make for higher image noise, and the X1 has taken some knocks from other reviewers on that score. As is often the case with high-resolution digital cameras though, we found that noise that was very evident on-screen became much less so when printed at typical photo sizes. Even at its (modest) maximum ISO of 200, 8×10 prints from the X1 looked surprisingly good: There was noise there, but we didn’t find it nearly as obtrusive as that from many cameras we’ve tested, including some with significantly lower pixel counts.
Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z6 Review
Some people like the new Z6 from Konica Minolta. I think it looks alright, it has some decent features, but Digital Camera Info does not seem to really like the camera at all.
The problem is that the specs are not implemented all that well. The Z6’s manual focus is difficult to use. Autofocus is slow in low light, and at the telephoto end of its range, low light can pretty much defeat the autofocus entirely. The DiMAGE Z6 is also frustrating to users who want to shoot movie clips with their still camera. With a maximum resolution of 320 x 240, its results aren’t appealing. And the LCD: we’d rather see a 2.5-inch LCD and at least 200,000 pixels on the display of a 12x zoom camera. A high-resolution display might improve the manual focus potential as well.
On the other hand, the Z6 is compact and simple to use, and these are the priorities for some people. However, there are other cameras that meet this description that go for less.
It is really a pity too because 6 megapixels, and a 12x optical zoom sound like a great combination.
Konica Minolta to Cut 10% of its Digital Camera Business
It looks like Konica Minolta, one of the major digital camera producers is going to drastically cut its photo imaging group, which includes digital cameras, to adapt to the slowing demand and tougher price competition.
As part of the restructuring plan, the company will cut upwards of 3,300 jobs out of the 33,000 people they employ. The good news for those looking for more options in the SLR digital camera market, Konica Minolta will look at concentrating on such high value products over the next four years.
Konica Minolta 6.0-megapixel DiMAGE Z6 Review
Steve’s Digicams gives the Z6 a once over in their comprehensive review of the camera.
The Konica Minolta 6.0-megapixel DiMAGE Z6 digital camera features a 12x optical Mega Zoom lens, Konica Minolta’s proprietary Anti-Shake system, Rapid AF with Predictive Focus Control for fast overall responsiveness, large 2.0-inch LCD monitor, built-in flash and excellent battery performance.
Konica Minolta’s proprietary CCD-shift Anti-Shake system — the same as that used in the top-of-the-line Maxxum 7D digital SLR, allows photographers to shoot with shutter speeds four to eight times longer (2-3 stops) than when shooting without an Anti-Shake system. The system also provides steady, shake-free images in twilight or other dimly lit situations, which are susceptible to blurring because of the slow shutter speeds used. This means significantly sharper images even without the use of a flash or tripod.
Review of the Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D
Imaging Resource has posted their thoughts on the Maxxum 5D.
As I noted earlier, the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D was easily one of the most eagerly-awaited digital cameras in the last year or so, thanks to the legions of loyal Minolta shooters who’ve been so patiently waiting for a digital body. The only issues with the 7D were its size and price. With the Maxxum 5D, Konica Minolta addressed both issues without hobbling the 5D by removing features likely to be important to the advanced amateur. In fact, they added five scene modes. The Maxxum 5D handles very well, looks good, and feels solid. Images at up to ISO 800 are very usable even at 8×10 inch print sizes, which is a good benchmark.
Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D Review
PHOTOgraphic Magazine has a review of the Maxxum 5D, a digital SLR from Konica Minolta.
Konica Minolta’s new Maxxum 5D is an $800 entry-level digital SLR with a bunch of great features, many borrowed from its excellent “big brother” the Maxxum 7D. The 5D is simpler to use than the 7D, and considerably smaller. Yet it packs the same huge 2.5” LCD monitor, body-integral Anti-Shake system, nine-point AF system , 14-segment honeycomb metering (plus center-weighted and spot), Konica Minolta’s Advanced LSI and CxProcess III image-processing technology, a very effective pop-up ADI TTL flash, 3-fps continuous shooting capability, 6.1-megapixel image sensor and more.
Categories
- BenQ
- Canon
- Casio
- Epson
- Feature
- Fujifilm
- HP
- Kodak
- Konica Minolta
- News
- Nikon
- Olympus
- Other Cameras
- Panasonic
- Pentax
- Review
- Ricoh
- Samsung
- Sanyo
- Sony
- Tips
Recent Posts
- Kodak EasyShare C743
- HP Photosmart M437
- NIKON Coolpix S200 silver
- Canon Digital Ixus 70
- SONY Cyber-shot DSC-W35
Related Blogs
E-mail Subscription
