Steve's Digicams - Breaking News - Konica Minolta 03/18/04 Press Release
Press Release - March 18, 2004
Konica Minolta Introduces The New DiMAGE G600 Digital Camera
 Mahwah, NJ (March 18, 2004) – Konica Minolta introduces the new DiMAGE G600 – a fast and easy to use 6 megapixel digital camera designed to enable photographers to produce high- quality images to last a lifetime. This new addition to the DiMAGE camera line features Rapid Response with a 1.3-second start-up time, an ergonomic and easy-to-use design and this new digital camera is packed with features that appeal to both beginners and advanced amateurs alike. "The new compact and fully-featured DiMAGE G600 is a value-packed, high performance digital camera at an affordable price," said Jon Sienkiewicz, vice president of marketing, Konica Minolta’s Camera Division. "This new compact camera is ideal for every day snapshots as well as a second camera for serious amateur or professional photographers." High picture quality is obtained through the camera’s GT HEXANON lens that’s designed to produce stunningly accurate images. These images are then received by the1/1.76-inch 6.40-megapixel CCD, which provides high-resolution picture quality unexpected from such a compact camera. The result is beautifully detailed images across the entire zoom range in a slim, pocketable design. Completing the process, high-resolution images are assured with precision processing provided by the newly developed A*IPS – using Konica Minolta's proprietary algorithm, which instantly calculates optimum exposure, focus and white balance. The DiMAGE G600’s newly developed Signal Processing Engine enables a speedy 1.3-second start-up time that has the camera ready to use at a moment’s notice. This is further enhanced through speedy image processing that greatly reduces the interval between pictures. In addition, pictures can be magnified up to twelve times on the camera’s LCD panel by using the high-speed scroll feature. By magnifying a portion of a picture after shooting, photographers can conveniently and quickly double check focus or subtle expressions while the subject is still present. As a third addition to the Konica Minolta DiMAGE G series of digital cameras, the DiMAGE G600’s exterior design and placement of controls has been redesigned. Stainless steel and aluminum design elements combine to create a modern, yet timeless design, with ergonomically placed controls that users will feel right at home with – all efficiently packaged in a pocketable 3.7 (W) x 2.2 (H) x 1.16 (D) inches. And the new DiMAGE G600 is PictBridge* compatible for printing pictures without having to use a computer. The camera’s dual card slots (Memory Sticks and SD Memory Cards) facilitate transferring of both still and moving images to other media, and Memory Sticks can be plugged directly into Sony computers. Advanced users can fine-tune colors and create special effects with the camera's many functions, allowing photographers to fully express their artistic vision. The camera’s macro mode allows photographing objects just 2.4 inches away (on the widest angle setting). *PictBridge is an industry standard established by the Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA).  DiMAGE G600 BackgrounderKonica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc.’s DiMAGE G600, a new addition to the DiMAGE digital camera line, features Rapid Response with a 1.3-second start-up time, an ergonomic and easy-to-use design, and this new digital camera is packed with features that appeals to both beginners and advanced amateurs alike.Product Highlights
High Definition, 6-Megapixel CCD The new Konica Minolta DiMAGE G600’s precision CCD provides high resolution and superb picture quality. It captures images with sharpness and detail not possible with 2-5 megapixel cameras. The DiMAGE G600 is powerful enough to render extremely fine details and delivers stunning results in up to 11x14-inch size prints at 150 dpi. Advanced Electronics The newly developed Konica Minolta A*IPS image processing further enhances the high quality images produced by this camera. Using an original Konica Minolta algorithm, the best exposure, focus, and white balance are determined by the camera in an instant. Quickly and effortlessly, these balanced images are captured and in turn, enable high quality prints. Quality Optics The camera’s high performance zoom lens incorporates a GT HEXANON lens system (7 elements in 6 groups) with 3x built-in optical zoom. Images come out sharp and clear with minimal flaring and peripheral aberration thanks to original internal reflection processing and optical design. The zoom range is equivalent to a 39–117mm lens on a 35mm camera. This range is perfect for wide-angle landscape photography and telephoto portraits. Quality Display The LCD monitor of the Konica Minolta DiMAGE G600 uses a 1.5-inch low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD with approximately 118,000 pixels. Rapid Response Rare among digital cameras with protruding zoom lenses, the DiMAGE G600’s is ready for action in a mere 1.3 seconds (including readying the AF and AE). The rapidly deployed camera enables users to photograph subjects as soon as they pull the camera out of their pocket and slide back the lens cover. Ergonomic Layout With the most frequently used features easily accessible on the camera's top panel, the basic operating cycle of record-playback-delete is simple. Even first-timers will find this camera comfortable to hold and easy to operate. Short Intervals Between Shots Efficient image processing and storage provides short intervals between shots so the DiMAGE G600 is always ready for its next shot. Quick Focus Check By using the camera’s quick enlargement and positioning feature, sharp focus of recorded images can be instantly verified before seeing the result on a computer screen or as a printed image. Customizable Settings Adjustment of camera settings is facilitated by color coded menus for easy navigation. Custom modes provide users with the ability to save their favorite shooting settings. Complicated exposure and white balance settings are simplified by the 4-way cross key from which adjustments can be made – including AE locking, AF locking, exposure compensation and white balance settings. Locked Focus Recording Mode The camera’s locked focus recording mode enables the user to lock in focus at 13.8ft. or 3.28ft., ideal for those difficult-to-focus shots such as moving objects, scenes in dark places, and backlit scenes. Manual Shutter Speed Settings Shutter speeds and f-stops can be adjusted according to photographic conditions and objectives. Shutter speeds can be set in the 15 to 1/2000 second range, with noise reduction automatically triggered for shutter speeds of 1/2 second or longer, producing less noise for night photography. Black & White Mode Two Monochrome modes (B&W, Sepia) provide a greater range of expression for creative photographers that want to record images in black-and-white or sepia tones. Audio and Movie Recording The camera’s Audio Caption function enables users to add audio notes (recording time up to 30 seconds) to pictures after they are taken. Voice Memo enables recording of individual audio recordings of up to 30 seconds each. Movie Mode records movie clips up to 30 seconds with sound at 320 x 240 pixels. Image Adjustment Color adjustment adjusts vividness of colors from Rich to Plain. Contrast adjustment increases the contrast of low contrast scenes or decreases the contrast of high contrast scenes. Sharpness adjustment emphasizes contour of buildings and landscapes (+) and captures people and details (-). Tone adjustment – applicable to the three colors (red, green and blue) – produces effects mirroring those created with color filters, creating endless possibilities for creative expression through color. To help users better handle tricky lighting conditions, users can also adjust ISO-equivalent sensitivity and flash compensation. Superb Macro Images The DiMAGE G600’s macro feature enables shooting from as close as 2.4 inches from the subject on the wide end, taking pictures in the 1.8 x 2.5-inch range. Dual-Card Slot System The DiMAGE G600 has a dual card-slot system for flexible image storage. Both Memory Sticks and SD Cards can be used alone or in combination. When both memory card types are used with the camera at the same time, up to 640MB of data can be saved depending on the capacity of each card Computer-less Printing By directly connecting the DiMAGE G600 to a PictBridge*-compliant printer, printouts can be made easily without using a computer. The user can check which image they want to print on the camera’s LCD monitor. *PictBridge is an industry standard established by the Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA). Long Lasting Battery Super long-lasting lithium-ion battery, in conjunction with a design that conserves power, enables extensive operation on one charge. Email Photo Creation The camera’s re-sizing feature converts images to an ideal size for e-mail attachments or cell phone posting. Two sizes are available: 640x480 pixels (VGA) and 320x240 pixels (QVGA). About Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc. Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc., headquartered in Mahwah, NJ, is the North American sales and marketing subsidiary of Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. (Tokyo, Japan). On August 5, 2003 Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. was formed to enhance both the competitive business capabilities and earning capacities of Konica Corporation and Minolta Co., Ltd. Consumers around the world have come to know and trust the Konica and Minolta brands for all their imaging needs. Since the earliest days of the photo industry, Minolta and Konica have applied their talents and resources to create products and services that are essential to the world of imaging. Today, these efforts concentrate on the most important aspects of imaging: the quality of the images, the tools and methods for creating images, and the creation of environments for the application of images. This focus on the essentials of imaging ties together the company’s key business and consumer product lines. Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc. is a leading manufacturer and marketer of 35mm and Advanced Photo System film, single-use cameras, digital and 35mm film cameras, accessory lenses, binoculars, photographic and color measurement meters. In addition the company offers color print photo papers, Inkjet photo paper, digital minilabs, digital film scanners, optical instruments, software and advanced imaging and sensing technologies. Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc. also provides wholesale photofinishing services and Internet imaging services. It is a complete imaging company, from input through output. For more information about Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc., its products and services, visit www.ph.konicaminolta.us. |
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