Steve's Digicams - Breaking News - Konica Minolta 07/15/2005 Press Release

KONICA MINOLTA ANNOUNCES DEVELOPMENT OF THREE NEW "DT" INTERCHANGEABLE LENSES DESIGNED FOR THE MAXXUM LINE OF DIGITAL SLR CAMERAS

Konica Minolta AF DT ZOOM 18-70mm F3.5-5.6(D), AF DT ZOOM 11-18mm F4.5-5.6 (D), and AF DT ZOOM 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 (D) lenses will be available in the fall of 2005

Mahwah, NJ (July 15, 2005) – Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc., announces the development of three new "DT" lenses – interchangeable Digital Technology (DT) lenses designed for the Maxxum Series digital SLR cameras, including the new Maxxum 5D and Maxxum 7D. These new zoom lenses will expand the lineup of Konica Minolta interchangeable lenses for Maxxum Series of digital cameras. The DT Lenses employ a new optical system that is specifically designed for digital SLR cameras, including the just announced Maxxum 5D, which incorporate an APS-C size CCD image sensor. Plans are to launch these Digital Technology (DT) Lenses worldwide in the summer/fall of 2005.

Developing interchangeable lenses for digital SLR cameras with an optical system optimized for the new Maxxum 5D and popular Maxxum 7D, meets the needs of users who would prefer to take ultra-wide-angle pictures, users who would like to take pictures with a compact standard zoom, and users who would like to easily take telephoto shots without changing the lens.

"Today’s digital photographers require the same versatility and high quality images that they’ve come to expect with their Maxxum 35mm cameras in the past," said Paul Zakrzewski, Director of Product Management for Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc. "The announcement of these new DT lenses sends a strong message to photographers everywhere that Konica Minolta recognizes the importance of the Maxxum Series of digital SLR cameras as central building blocks for their digital camera systems."

Konica Minolta is committed to developing interchangeable lenses for the Maxxum Series based on the following principles:

1) To establish a lens lineup that covers both APS-C and 35mm formats. Konica Minolta will develop both wide-angle lenses for APS-C size digital and conventional 35mm format lenses so as to meet wide variety of consumers’ needs.

2) Develop lenses with unique features

• Konica Minolta will develop lenses incorporating such features as seen in the large aperture "G lenses" and the innovative "STF" lens.

• With its unique body-integral Anti-Shake function, Konica Minolta will develop a variety of lenses which enable users to expand their photo-shooting opportunities.

Product Highlights of the new Maxxum DT Lenses

• Delivers high performance owing to the optical system specially designed to correspond to the characteristics of digital SLR cameras.

• Gains an anti-shake blur correction effect* with a shutter speed 2 - 3 steps slower when used with the Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D and Maxxum 7D.

• Enables high precision ADI (Advanced Distance Integration) flash metering when mounted on the Maxxum 5D and Maxxum 7D by incorporating a distance encoder (distance information internally provided in lens).

• Beautiful defocused images thanks to a circular aperture. Using a round aperture not only ensures extremely sharp photos but even allows the defocused areas to show smooth gradations that depict natural scenes perfectly.

Konica Minolta will continue to develop digital SLR camera bodies and interchangeable lenses, and sequentially upgrade systems.

Note 1: Optics have been optimized for a small diameter image circle in order to work with the APS-C size CCD, therefore the lenses cannot be used with 35mm AF SLR film cameras.

Note 2: Product name has been tentatively named for this release, with the final name to be announced at later date.

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.kmpi.konicaminolta.us.