Multi-camera Comparison
PopPhoto.com has compared Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT, Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D, Nikon D50, Olympus EVOLT E-500, and Pentax *ist DS2.
Who came on top?
*suspense*
[ Thanks to PopPhoto.com ]
Konica Minolta withdraw from the Photo Industry
Konica Minolta UK Press Release
Konica Minolta withdraw from the Photo Industry
As previously announced within our press release dated 19th January 2006, Konica Minolta will withdraw from the photographic market as of 31st March 2006. Please find below essential information relating to the ongoing support of Konica, Minolta and Konica Minolta products.
Servicing of Photographic Hardware and Accessories
Servicing of Konica, Minolta and Konica Minolta branded products either within or outside of warranty, including;
• Digital Still Cameras (DSC)
• Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras
• Analogue SLR cameras
• Analogue LS
• Flashguns, lenses and accessories
• Film Scanners
is to be handled by the sole appointed servicing agent;
JP Service Solutions
Johnsons Photopia Ltd
Hempstalls Lane
Newcastle under Lyme
Staffordshire
ST5 0SW
Tel: 01782-753366
Fax: 01782-753340
Email: kmsupport@jpss.co.uk
Binocular Servicing
Servicing of Minolta and Konica Minolta binoculars will be provided by;
Tokina Service Europe B.V.
Address? Olstgracht 1 1315 BG, Almere The Netherlands
Tel? +31(0) 36 53 4 69 67
Fax ? +31(0) 36 53 0 55 61
E-MAIL? info@tokinaservice.com
WEB? http://www.tokinaservice.com
Both-way shipping cost of products under warranty will be covered by Tokina Service Europe BV.
Technical Support
Konica Minolta will expand our Technical Support assistance to additionally include Analogue Compact, Analogue SLR and Meters within our existing digital technical support number, e-mail and website contact.
Tel - 08700 104 107 (National Rate)
E-mail - dimage-support-uk@phe.konicaminoltaeurope.com
Website - http://www.konicaminoltasupport.com
Website
Konica Minolta will retain presence within our existing websites, however additional information will be included to inform of our withdrawal from the market.
Following our closure we are no longer able to answer company or product related questions from consumer or media sources. User Technical Support will continue to be available, please see above.
Fujifilm, Konica Minolta and Eastman Kodak Establish EVERPLAY Standard
New standard encourages industry participation to develop compatible products and services for digital photos and motion images
ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 22 - 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.
Konica Minolta Dimage Z6 Review
Cameras.co.uk has reviewed the Konica Minolta Dimage Z6 camera and writes:
“The Konica Minolta Dimage Z6 is a six megapixel digital camera with a 12x optical zoom lens. With this length of zoom lens you should have no problem getting in close to your subject from a long way away. Therefore the Dimage Z6 is likely to appeal to photographers who shoot subjects such as sports and wildlife. With its range of features and length of zoom it is far more likely to be suited to someone who sees photography as a hobby rather than someone who is looking for a simple, easy-to-use point and shoot camera.”
Konica Minolta DiMage X1 Fireware update
Konica Minolta DiMage X1 Fireware update (Click here)
It’s firmware update time!!
If you are the owner of the 8 megapixel Konica Minolta then head over to this site (linked above) to get v.1.10 firmware update.
Details of this update:
1. Shortened shutter-release time lag.
2. Shortened operation time lag.
Konica Minolta DiMage X60 Review
Konica Minolta Makes It a Snap
As part of their compact 5-megapixel camera review series, business week has reviewed the Konica Minolta DiMage X60 as well.
The Good Sturdy, compact design, huge LCD viewfinder
The Bad Grainy video quality in movie mode
The Bottom Line Great for the casual user who wants a compact, easy-to-use camera
From the article:
Video aside, however, the X60 does a very competent job. It’s a great choice for any user looking for a pocket-size camera for everyday snapshots.
Konica Minolta to drastically cut digital camera business
Looks like Konica Minolta are going to decrease their digital camera department to try to cope with tough price competition and less demand.
This seems to be due to the report that said digital camera sales will slow down in 2006.
In line with the business restructuring plan, the company will cut 3,300 jobs out of its current group workforce of 33,000. In its medium-term business plan announced in March, Konica Minolta said it will concentrate its digital camera business on production of high-value-added products, such as digital single-lens reflex cameras, over four years starting in fiscal 2005
Good luck to the company and the people they are laying off. 
Konica-Minolta DiMAGE Z6 Review
LetsGoDigital.com has reviewed the DiMage Z6.
Basically, the DiMage Z6 is a Z5 with an extra megapixel. This is not necessarily a bad thing though because the Z5 is a solid good camera.
The review stresses on how great the Anti-Shake feature of this camera is. Other than that it’s an over all good solid camera with nice image quality.
From the article:
In a nutshell: we may consider the Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z6 a fine successor of the DiMAGE Z5 camera, without extraordinary changes. The resolution raise doesn’t bring a lot in terms of percentage, but in the long run it will prove to be the perfect choice when the lower resolution DiMAGE Z5 version will disappear. The camera is all-round applicable, offers an excellent innovation: the Anti-Shake system and moreover; its design nicely stands out from the crowd. Price / quality ratio is excellent and Konica Minolta brings a very attractive digital camera into the market that will certainly not be a flash in the pan. Here’s one to stay, a definite must!
CNET has also reviewed this camera and they basically say the same thing:
“‘One of several 12X-zoom cameras on the market, the 6-megapixel Konica Minolta Dimage Z6 differs in only a few respects from its 5-megapixel predecessor, the Dimage Z5. In addition to the resolution bump and the silver face-lift, the Z6 provides a slightly larger image buffer and, unfortunately, a lower-resolution movie mode. However, the Z5’s primary attractions remain: 12X zoom, Anti-Shake technology, and a well-rounded feature set that includes manual exposure controls. Keen-eyed photographers might fuss about image quality, but the Konica Minolta Dimage Z6 offers enough benefits at an affordable price to attract enthusiasts who want an SLR-like feel and a long-reach lens.”
Please click here for more articles about DiMAGE Z6
Konica Minolta Z6 Review at DigitalCameraReview.com
DigitalCameraReview.com have published their review of the Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z6
The Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z6 is a 6 megapixel camera that features a 12x optical zoom and Konica Minolta’s CCD-shift Anti-Shake system. The camera performs quickly with a fast auto focus system and minimal shutter lag. Manual modes provide a large range of control over images and the stabilized 12x optical zoom. However, I had problems with overexposure in a lot of my shots taken with default settings and shots were a bit too noisy.
Defective digital cameras
Five digital camera creators have announced that there is a defect in 150 camera models. Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fuji and Konica Minolta that use image sensors, called Sony CCDs, suffer from glitches caused by the censors disconnection.
If your Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fuji or Konica Minolta camera was created between 2002 - 2004 please visit their official website and get your cameras repaired.