Konica Minolta Announces Dynax 7 Digital SLR

#1 CD

Glad to see the mind finally coming out with a digital body to complement my Dynax 7 and G lenses.

3:42 am - Sunday, February 15, 2004

#2 Jen Candela

Me too! I've been holding out for a Minolta DSLR and I'm sure it'll be worth the wait.

11:55 pm - Monday, February 16, 2004

#3 Simon Twidle

I have waited two years for this - I have two Dynax bodies and about 10 lenses so the digital will be great

Anyone know how much it is expected to cost ?

1:06 pm - Wednesday, May 12, 2004

#4 Andy Brice

I've also been waiting ages for this. I really don't want to sell my 5 dynax lenses and it will be nice to be able to carry digital and film bodies with a single set of lenses.

2:50 pm - Friday, May 14, 2004

#5 techiedoc

I am a Minolta fan.I like my Dynax 7.Waiting for the Dynax DSLR.

Guys, any release date in the UK?

I heard it's going to be September this year.Too long a wait...

11:24 am - Monday, May 24, 2004

#6 Andy Brice

It says October in various sources I've seen. I'll probably wait a while after that until the price falls a bit.

11:36 am - Monday, May 24, 2004

#7 techiedoc

Thank you Andy.You are absolutely right.We should really wait a while until the price drops.

12:49 pm - Monday, May 24, 2004

#8 Jen Candela

What about a US release?

5:33 pm - Monday, May 24, 2004

#9 techiedoc

I got this email from Minolta some time ago.I thought it might be of some interest to everyone on this forum.

As this board allows only 2500 characters (why?) I have to split it up !

Here comes Part 1

To give you a brief outline of the DSLR.

The six key points that have been unveiled thus far are;

6 Megapixel CCD
APS-C sized CCD
1.5x focal factor
Dynax 7 Layout
Minolta A Mount
Anti-Shake

6 Megapixels

This is comparable with other models in this sector of the market.

APS-C sized sensor and 1.5x Focal Factor

By using a smaller CCD than the 35mm film size it extends the focal length
by a factor of 1.5x, thus a 28mm lens becomes a 42mm and a 300mm becomes a
450mm. Therefore people who enjoy sports photography gain a longer lens.
Unfortunately people who enjoy landscape photography will be somewhat
disadvantaged (see New Lenses later in the mail)

Dynax 7 Layout

This indicates that the award winning Dynax 7 body will be used as the
platform for the new product. This shows the level of performance that can
be expected. There will be cosmetic changes to the body to suit the needs
of digital. The mock up sample and images that have been supplied so far
are subject to change. The final form is likely to be a little different to
this example.

contd

5:29 pm - Tuesday, May 25, 2004

#10 techiedoc

Part 2
Minolta A Mount

This rewards interested customers by stating that their investment in
lenses for the Dynax system has been worthwhile. The Minolta A mount was
introduced in 1985 and continues today. At this time we cannot guarantee
that all lenses will work electronically, nor can we guarantee the quality
of results for all lenses. However it is the intention that as many lenses
as possible be compatible. We will inform details of compatibility issues
as soon as we are able.

Anti-Shake

This too shows the unique advantage of Konica Minolta over other brands of
DSLR. No other manufacturer can promote such a technology. Nikon and Canon
both have optical based Vibration Reduction and Image Stabilisation
respectively. If a user wants to gain this technology for use with a
current DSLR they will have to buy a new lens: these tend to be bigger,
heavier and more expensive than a lens without this feature. Konica Minolta
will deliver a faster and more accurate system within body to all users in
the form of Anti-Shake. This means that no matter how old their lens, it
instantly becomes Anti-Shake.

Aspects to be confirmed later.

New Lenses

Minolta started in the 1920's as a manufacturer of lenses, cameras started
later. Konica Minolta will always ensure that the quality and versatility
of its optics are amongst the best available. This means that there will be
new lenses available for the DSLR. These will look to resolve the reduction
of wide angle due to the 1.5x focal factor. Details of the focal ranges and
pricing will follow. At present the widest angle zoom in the Minolta range
is 17-35, the widest angle fixed lens is 16mm.

Availability

At this stage we are making a "development announcement": this restricts
the points of specification that we are able to discuss. In time more
details will be announced. The culmination of this will be at Photokina
(late September) when the full product will be unveiled. The product will
become available in October, should there be any delays in development and
testing this will be moved into early November. We shall keep everyone
aware of the status of this matter.

Contd

5:31 pm - Tuesday, May 25, 2004

#11 techiedoc

Part 3

Pricing

We are unable to confirm pricing of this model at the present time. The
camera is seen to compete with the Canon EOS 10D, Nikon D100, Fujifilm
S3Pro, Sigma SD-10, Pentax *istD. We can witness the current pricing of
these other models and can thus imagine the price of the Konica Minolta
version if it were available today. Any price set now would likely be
uncompetitive when we reach October, therefore we shall be clearer as to
the true cost nearer to the launch.

Tentative name

The name Dynax 7 Digital has been chosen only for this development
announcement. It has been chosen because it instantly communicates the
camera's purpose. In essence, to take the Dynax 7 and make it digital.
Konica Minolta is likely to rename it before launch. The two aspects that
are confirmed are that it is a Konica Minolta branded product and that it
is a 7 series.

5:31 pm - Tuesday, May 25, 2004

#12 Jen Candela

Thanks Techidoc

6:28 pm - Tuesday, May 25, 2004

#13 John

To whom can help

I have an aging Dynax 7000i camera. I was hoping to purchase a digital camera body only that can still use the Dynax's interchangeable lenses. Just to clarify, is it possible to use my existing 7000i lenses with a digital camera body? Also, is it possible to buy just the body without the lense? If so, how much am I up for? I would appreciate your response ASAP and I thank you in advance. (I have read the comments below, but I feel I needed more specific info. Sorry for being a pest)

3:24 am - Thursday, August 19, 2004

#14 Mark Goldstein

John, I believe you should be able to use those lenses with Konica Minolta's new DSLR.

There's no word yet on the price or the kit details, but I would anticipate that a body-only version will be available.

10:39 am - Saturday, August 21, 2004