Thursday, January 19, 2006

Some shocking news to wake up to this morning - Konica Minolta has announced that it is leaving the camera and photo business (both digital and film) by March 31st 2006. I’d heard a couple of days ago that Konica Minolta had dropped out of the Focus on Imaging UK trade show - now it transpires that the company is pulling out of the photo industry for good. Digital SLR camera assets concerning Konica Minolta’s Maxxum/Dynax lens mount system have been transferred to Sony, although it’s unclear yet exactly what that means. Konica Minolta has made some great cameras, with their recent 7D and 5D digital SLRs being particularly good, but it seems that they just haven’t been able to compete with the bigger players.

Konica Minolta Press Release

Konica Minolta Announces Withdrawal Plan for Camera Business 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.

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