February 22, 2006
Fujifilm, Konica Minolta and Eastman Kodak
Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., Konica Minolta Photo Imaging Inc. and Eastman Kodak Company, founding members of the former Picture Archiving and Sharing Standard (PASS), today announced the EVERPLAY standard designed to ensure compatibility of digital photos and motion images across a broad range of consumer products for future generations. Methods to organize and preserve digital images have evolved independently by many different companies and have lost interoperability among the different systems. There are also potential problems as time passes, systems evolve and formats change.
The new EVERPLAY standard aims to resolve these issues and respond to consumers' needs to protect images and enjoy widespread interoperability. The standard is designed to make it easy to implement and uses XML next-generation language in its specification.
Fujifilm, Konica Minolta and Kodak will begin a free license program immediately and call for the adoption of the EVERPLAY standard by all consumer digital-imaging companies. The goal for products and services is to use images interchangeably and movies ubiquitously while at the same time, acknowledge the value for protecting consumers' images.
By signing the licensing agreement, which is available on the Web site, any company can acquire a royalty-free license to execute the specification, use the trademarks and obtain rights to the patents owned by the EVERPLAY founders.
Further, the following tools will be provided at no cost: Software development kit (SDK) v1.10 and Verifying tool v1.10. Details can be obtained from http://www.everplay-spec.org .
In concurrence with the completion of the standard, the new name "EVERPLAY" replaces "PASS" and shall be used as an interchangeable name for the specification and related communication. A trademark, "EVERPLAY," and associated logo have been registered to help with future identification of products and services compliant to the standard.
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January 19, 2006
Konica Minolta Announces Withdrawal Plan for Camera and Photo Business
Konica-Minolta have made a surprise announcement that they are to cease their camera and photo business.
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:
1) Camera Business
In camera business, we have reached an agreement with Sony Corporation(Sony), having numerous image sensor technologies such as CCD and CMOS, to jointly develop digital SLR cameras in July 2005. In order to continue to have our customers use Maxxum/Dynax lenses, and to maximize possibilities of the optical, mechanical and electronics technologies accumulated through development of SLR cameras in the years to come, we came to the conclusion that it was best to transfer assets concerning camera business to Sony. Since then, we have been negotiating with Sony, and as a result, we have reached an agreement with Sony to transfer a portion of assets regarding digital SLR camera system to Sony*1. In this relation, we have decided to withdraw from camera business*2, such as film cameras and digital cameras, within Konica Minolta Group as of March 31, 2006.
Sony is planning to develop digital SLR cameras compatible with Maxxum/Dynax lens mount system, so that the current Maxxum/Dynax users will be able to continue to use them with Sony’s digital SLR cameras. In addition, we will consign camera service operations for Konica Minolta, Konica,Minolta brand cameras and related equipment to Sony.
*1 Pease refer to the news release, “Partial Transfer of Assets Related to Digital SLR Cameras “, separately announced today.
*2 Except for digital SLR cameras and interchangeable lenses produced for Sony.
2) Photo Business
In today’s shrinking photographic market represented by color film and color paper, we have been considering to scale back and to continue photo business at an appropriate size; however, when we foresee the photographic market, it is quite difficult to maintain profitability in this field, and we have decided to withdraw from photo business. As schemed below, we will, as much as possible, avoid causing any inconvenience in providing products to our worldwide customers in the course of withdrawal.
For color film and color paper, while considering our customer needs, we will step-by-step reduce product lineup and cease our color film and color paper production by the end of fiscal year ending March 31, 2007.
For minilab business, we will cease production of the system by the end of fiscal year ending March 31, 2006; however we will have such company as Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd to provide maintenance and customer services so as not to cause any inconvenience to our customers.
*1 Pease refer to the news release, “Consignment of Service and Maintenance Operations for Minilabs “, separately announced today.
In line with the above scheme, with consideration to our customers and regional situations, we will step-by-step reorganize our sales offices and withdraw from all of our photo sales activities by September 30, 2007.
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July 19, 2005
Konica Minolta and Sony Agree to Jointly Develop Digital SLR Cameras
Tokyo (July 19, 2005) – Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc. and Sony Corporation have reached an agreement to jointly develop digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras. Taking full advantages of their respective imaging technologies and key devices, the two companies will develop and commercialize new digital SLR cameras based on and compatible to “Maxxum/Dynax lens mount system.*1”
Konica Minolta has superb autofocus auto-exposure technologies nourished through development of “Maxxum/Dynax series” from the age of film cameras, mechanical electronics technologies indispensable for SLR cameras, and sixteen million units of lens shipped worldwide. In addition, Konica Minolta has enthusiastically innovated cutting edge features, such as, for the first time, incorporating a CCD shift-type body-integral Anti-Shake technology for the Camera Grand Prix awarding “α-7 DIGITAL. *2”
Sony has numerous technologies and devices essential for digital imaging equipment, such as CCD and CMOS imaging sensors, image processing technologies and lithium ion batteries. Moreover, Sony’s strength in product planning, total design and high-density mounting have created a series of breakthrough compact and light digital imaging products. With products such as “Handycam” video cameras, and “Cyber-shot” digital still cameras, Sony has greatly contributed to expanding the digital imaging market.
Both companies, utilizing respective unique technologies, will begin joint development of advanced and feature-rich digital SLR cameras. According to recent CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) data, the digital SLR camera market reached 2.5 million units in 2004, and is expected to further expand to 3.6 million units in 2005. Konica Minolta and Sony see great opportunities and will aggressively promote their businesses in this growing market.
*1 Konica Minolta’s original lens mount system to connect camera body and lens adopted in its “Maxxum/Dynax series” SLR cameras.
*2 “α-7 DIGITAL is marketed as “Maxxum 7D” in North America and “Dynax 7D” in other regions.
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July 15, 2005
Konica-Minolta Dynax 5D: High-Performance Digital SLR Camera
Following the release of the highly acclaimed Konica Minolta Dynax7D comes the new Konica Minolta Dynax5D, a high-performance interchangeable-lens digital SLR camera that combines Konica Minolta's advanced technologies and greater ease of use into an even smaller and lighter design.
The Dynax5D ensures photo-imaging excellence using Konica Minolta's proprietary Anti-Shake technology, which employs an exclusive CCD-Shift mechanism to compensate for blurring caused by camera shake - even when taking photos in dimly lit scenes, in natural light with a telephoto lens, or in macro shots where extra stability is vital for a sharp shot. This innovative Anti-Shake technology not only provides the equivalent correction effect with a shutter speed 2 to 3 stops slower*², but also compatibility with any Dynax system lenses*¹.
Boasting more than high performance, this digital SLR camera also features an ideal, compact design with a high-quality, stylish, and lightweight construction. Rubberized grips make it highly tactile and easy to handle and hold.
The Dynax7D ensures images of exceptional quality with a large, 6.1-megapixel (effective) CCD sensor, an Advanced LSI engine for high-speed image processing, as well as Konica Minolta's CxProcess™ III image processing technology, an original technology highly acclaimed for rendering fine image detail and stunning color rendition.
Offering a better view for better pictures, the camera boasts a large 2.5-inch color LCD that provides simple navigation through easy-to-use on-screen menus and set-up options. The LCD makes camera control even easier, displaying detailed camera settings as well as captured images.
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Konica-Minolta DiMAGE X1: The First 'X-Series' Compact Digital Camera Equipped with 8 Megapixels,
Setting out to create "the highest-level digital camera in terms of image quality, functions, design, and size," Konica Minolta developed the DiMAGE X1. As a fusion of Konica Minolta's best imaging technologies and the DiMAGE X series' sleek digital camera design, the new X1 offers you exquisitely beautiful images and greater freedom to express yourself.
A camera of true expressive power, the DiMAGE X1 employs an 8-megapixel, 1/1.8-type CCD - the highest resolution currently available in compact digital cameras. To take full advantage of this incredible resolution, the X1 integrates a newly designed optical system as well as CxProcess™ III, Konica Minolta's top image processing technology that renders images as natural-looking as they appear to your eye.
For the first time ever in the X series, the DiMAGE X1 offers Anti-Shake functioning to help reduce the effects of camera shake, ensuring clear, steady shots of scenes that are otherwise difficult to shoot by hand such as in low light situations or indoors. Unlike the A and Z series, the DiMAGE X1 boasts a newly developed type of Anti-Shake system that complements its folded optics and allows for a more miniaturization. Offering unrivalled stability, this new type of Anti-Shake system can provide the equivalent of up to 3 EV to help compensate for camera shake, and is effective for taking shots in low light conditions and using slow shutter speeds around 1/6th of a second at the wide-angle.
To accommodate the high resolution while keeping the body as slim as possible, the DiMAGE X1's employs a newly designed "non-protruding" 3X optical zoom lens and delivers a lens focal length of 7.7 to 23.1 mm (equivalent to 37 to 111 mm in 35 mm format) and an aperture range from F3.5 to F3.8. Complementing this exceptional optical system, the X1 offers two ways to take close-ups: Auto Macro Mode*¹, which takes macro shots without having to switch the mode, and Super Macro mode, which captures amazing close-ups as near as 5 cm.
On the back, the DiMAGE X1 is equipped with a large, 2.5-inch LCD monitor that features a Bright LCD backlight function, which lets you adjust the LCD brightness as needed with the simple touch of a button. The LCD monitor also offers enhanced easy cleaning thanks to a protective acrylic covering.
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May 30, 2005
Konica Minolta 7DIGITAL Awarded Camera Grand Prix 2005
Konica Minolta is delighted to announce that the Konica Minolta 7DIGITAL the world's first digital SLR camera with body-integral CCD-shift Anti-Shake feature was given the "Camera Grand Prix 2005".
Konica Minolta is delighted to announce that the Konica Minolta 7DIGITAL the world's first digital SLR camera with body-integral CCD-shift Anti-Shake feature was given the "Camera Grand Prix 2005".
The Camera Grand Prix is one of the most prestigious awards that can be presented to a camera in Japanese photo industry. The Camera Grand Prix is sponsored by the Camera Press Club and managed by the Camera Grand Prix Steering Committee. Every year, once a year, they recognize the best cameras sold in Japan.
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