Konica Minolta DiMAGE X1 is announced today. The Konica Minolta DiMAGE X1 is an 8 megapixel compact digital camera featuring an Anti-Shake system which provides the equivalent of up to 3 steps assistance to help compensate for camera shake. The Konica Minolta X1 employs a newly designed “non-protruding” 3X optical zoom lens that is equivalent to 37 to 111 mm in 35 mm format. Other features of the Konica Minolta DiMAGE X1 include a large 2.5 inch LCD screen, sleek, rounded design and three different colours. The DiMAGE X1 will cost £299.99, is available in Silver, Black (exclusive to Jessops) and Red and will be released in September 2005.

Konica Minolta UK Press Release

The First ‘X-Series’ Compact Digital Camera Equipped with 8 Megapixels, Anti-Shake and Desirable Design that inspires.

Aiming to create “the ultimate digital camera for image quality, function, design, and size,” Konica Minolta proudly announces the DiMAGE X1. A fusion of Konica Minolta’s best imaging technologies combined with the DiMAGE X series’ sleek digital camera design, the new DiMAGE X1 offers you exquisitely beautiful images within a body that takes your breath away.

A camera of true expressive power, the DiMAGE X1 employs an 8 Megapixel, 1/1.8-type CCD – the highest resolution currently available in compact digital cameras. To take full advantage of this incredible resolution, the DiMAGE X1 integrates a newly designed optical system as well as CxProcess™ III image processing technology that renders images as natural-looking as they appear to your eye. The DiMAGE X1 represents the 10th X series camera and the first to encapsulate Anti-Shake to help reduce the effects of camera shake. Thus ensuring clear, steady shots of scenes that are otherwise difficult to capture by hand holding such as in low light situations or indoors. Konica Minolta pioneered Anti-Shake through the DiMAGE A series, further models in the DiMAGE Z series delivering this unique technology to a greater number of users. In 2004 Konica Minolta released the Dynax 7D, providing Anti-Shake for the first time with interchangeable lenses of any focal length.

The DiMAGE X1 boasts a newly developed type of Anti-Shake system that complements its folded optics and allows for a more miniaturisation. Offering unrivalled stability, this new type of Anti-Shake system can provide the equivalent of up to 3 steps assistance to help compensate for camera shake, and is effective for taking pictures in low light conditions and using slow shutter speeds around 1/6th of a second at the Wide-Angle.

To accommodate the high image resolution while keeping the body as slim as possible, the DiMAGE X1 employs a newly designed “non-protruding” 3X optical zoom lens and delivers a lens focal length of 7.7 to 23.1 mm (equivalent to 37 to 111 mm in 35 mm format) and an aperture range from F3.5 to F3.8. Complementing this exceptional optical system, the X1 offers two ways to take close-ups: Auto Macro Mode*1, which takes macro shots without having to switch the mode, and Super Macro mode, which captures amazing close-ups as near as 5 cm.

On the reverse, the DiMAGE X1 is equipped with a large, 2.5-inch LCD monitor that features a Bright LCD backlight function, which lets you adjust the LCD brightness as needed with the simple touch of a button. The LCD monitor also offers enhanced easy cleaning thanks to a protective acrylic covering.

The design features of the DiMAGE X1 increase desirability for users who value not only amazing performance, but also sophisticated design. A sleek, metallic elegance makes the X1 impossible to resist, while smooth round edges fit neatly in your palm, giving you ease of use, familiarity and comfort.

The DiMAGE X1 is available in three coloured finishes. Models in silver resonate a futuristic and sophisticated look with a sensual satin finish that perfectly complements the elegant, genteel nature of the DiMAGE X1. Models available in wine red and black boast an exclusive, glossy mirror finish that evokes a sense of admiration whenever you see it, encouraging you to polish it before showing it to others.

The DiMAGE X1 is also the first Konica Minolta digital camera to come with a convenient, multifunction cradle, which provides quick and easy connectivity for TVs, playback via TV, download to PC or direct printing through PictBridge – all whilst recharging the battery in situ. Alternatively recharge a spare battery by inserting it in the battery slot.

*1 Shortest shooting distance: 10 cm in Wide-angle and 40 cm in Telephoto positions

Product Highlights
• 8 Megapixel, 1/1.8-type CCD captures images in smooth, ultra-high resolution
• Konica Minolta proprietary CxProcess™ III image processing technology
reproduces images as clearly and naturally as they appear to your eye
• Newly developed, compact Anti-Shake system for clear, steady shots
• New “flat” 3X Optical Zoom lens doesn’t protrude even whilst zooming
• Large, 2.5-inch LCD monitor ensures a clear view even under bright light
• Ultra-slim, sleek, and elegant body with a luxurious finish that is a joy to behold
• Multifunction cradle offers ideal connectivity with your computer and TV

Features

The Peak in Resolution Among Compact Digital Cameras
Using a 1/1.8-type CCD, the DiMAGE X1 features approximately 8,300,000 pixels, the highest resolution in a compact digital camera currently available (as of June 2005). The DiMAGE X1 enables you to take pictures with up to 3,264 x 2,448 pixels, creating crisp and detailed images for printed enlargements up to A3 in size.

The DiMAGE X1’s size is also small. With folded optics technology, the size of a CCD unit dictates the camera’s thickness. The slim and compact size of the DiMAGE X1’s CCD allows for a body 19.5 mm in width, the first time for an X series model to achieve a profile less than 20 mm in size.

Konica Minolta’s Proprietary CxProcess™ III Image Processing Technology
To achieve optimum compatibility with its new optics, 8 Megapixel resolution, and 1/1.8- type CCD, the DiMAGE X1 uses Konica Minolta’s top image processing technology –CxProcess™ III. With this combination, the DiMAGE X1 is able to reproduce images as clearly and naturally as they appear to your eye. With this combination, the DiMAGE X1 is able to reproduce images as clearly and naturally as they appear to your eye. You can enjoy genuine colour and tone straight on prints even without manipulation on computers.

A Completely New Type of Anti-Shake System
For the first time ever in the X series, the DiMAGE X1 offers an Anti-Shake system, which makes it easy to take clear, steady shots of scenes that are normally difficult to shoot by hand. Offering unrivalled stability, the Anti-Shake system can compensate up to 3 EV exposure stops lower, making it ideal for taking handheld, wide-angle shots in low light conditions indoors, or after sunset with shutter speeds at 1/6 of a second at wide-angle setting. For example, in dark settings, such as the light of a candle or tungsten bulb, you can shoot without using a flash and retain the atmospheric look of the scene.

Differing from the DiMAGE A and Z series, which use the award winning CCD-Shift Anti-Shake, here a newly developed Anti-Shake is used that counters shaking by tilting the entire optical unit together with the CCD. It is designed to ideally complement the DiMAGE X1 folded optics technology that preserves the compact, thin body construction.

Both Konica Minolta Anti-Shake systems, achieve steady shots without moving any particular lens in the lens group. Ensuring these systems achieve Anti-Shake while retaining the performance of the lens that is designed to deliver optimum performance. Anti-Shake represents a dedication to camera technology and respects optical performance.

Newly Designed “Non-Protruding” 3X Optical Zoom Lens
To accommodate the high 8 Megapixel resolution CCD of the DiMAGE X1 while still keeping the body as slim as possible, the DiMAGE X1 introduces a newly designed, nonprotruding 3X optical zoom lens. This new lens system achieves a focal length of 7.7 to 23.1 mm (equivalent to 37 to 111 mm in 35 mm format) and an aperture range from F3.5 to F3.8.

The DiMAGE X1 is also equipped with a Super Macro mode. Using this amazing function with the zoom lens at the wide-angle setting, you can bring the lens within 5 cm of your subject and capture vivid, super close-ups that fill the entire frame. Auto Macro shooting (the shortest ‘normal’ focus distance is 10 cm at wide-angle and 40 cm at telephoto), a customary feature of all the DiMAGE X series cameras, makes it easy to quickly take close-up shots without switching functions.

Large, Bright 2.5-inch Rear LCD Monitor
The DiMAGE X1 is equipped with a large, 2.5-inch LCD monitor that gives you a bright, clear view for framing shots and reading the menu screen. Using the Bright LCD backlight function allows you to set the screen 1.5 times brighter, so you can easily see the monitor in bright outdoor locations. As with the DiMAGE X50 and DiMAGE X60, the surface of the DiMAGE X1 LCD monitor is protected with an easy-to-clean acrylic panel that is simply wiped clean of smeary finger prints.

Rounded, Ultra-Slim Polished Body
Without a single protruding part, the super-slim, flat body of the DiMAGE X1 measures just 95 x 68 x 19.5mm(W x H x D), the first time the X series models have achieved a body profile less than 20mm in size.

Another key feature of the DiMAGE X1 is its sophisticated body design. Our designers encapsulated their artistic vitality into creating several key design concepts: 1) a new “advanced” lifestyle that inspires users to think of the camera as more than a picturetaking tool, 2) a body design that is as irresistible to hold and touch as it is to admire, 3) a minimalist approach to controls that complements the clear and elegant appearance, 4) an extravagant approach to incorporating advanced technology, and 5) a sense of modern luxury, expressed definitively through the camera’s elegant finish.

The sophisticated rounded form of the DiMAGE X1 exudes a sleek, metallic grace you’ll want to hold in your hands. The rounded edges fit neatly in your palm, giving you quick familiarity and comfort in hand.

Multifunction Cradle Offers Ideal Connectivity with Your Computer, TV and Printer
The DiMAGE X1 is the first Konica Minolta digital camera to come with its own convenient multifunction cradle. Integrating flawlessly with the smooth lines of the DiMAGE X1, the cradle eliminates cumbersome cable arrangements and provides quick and easy connectivity for uploading and viewing images directly on your Computer or TV. The DiMAGE X1 multifunction cradle can also operate as a battery charger, which can either charge the battery alone or the battery when it’s inside the camera. The cradle can even position the LCD monitor forward so you can use it as an image viewer to share with friends.

Digital Subject Program Selection
The DiMAGE X1 makes taking clear, high-quality shots effortless with a Digital Subject Program Selection that offers pre-programmed settings for seven popular photo scenes: Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Super Macro, Night Portrait, Night View, and Text. You simply choose the mode best suited to your shooting conditions, and the X1 is ready in an instant with the optimum settings to turn that special moment into a beautiful memory.

Ultra High Speed Continuous Advance
UHS Continuous Advance captures 640x480-pixel images at up to 10 fps at any image quality setting, making it ideal for capturing fleeting action such as recording a tennis or golf swing or a child’s playful expression. The UHS Progressive Capture mode saves images from the last 1.5 seconds before releasing the shutter button (up to 15 images at 640x480), which means you won’t miss photo opportunities during fast moving sporting events.

High-Resolution VGA Movie Clips Enhanced with Anti-Shake
For the first time in the X series, the DiMAGE X1 offers recording of smooth, highresolution VGA (640x480 pixels) movie clips with sound. Anti-Shake technology and Auto focus combine to ensure amazingly clear images. While recording, you can even get even closer to the action using the 3X optical zoom without losing image quality. The DiMAGE X1 records movie in JPEG (MOV) format these are compatible with QuickTime™ for playing images back on a computer.

Easy-to-Use Bundled Software
• DiMAGE Master Lite
This Konica Minolta software for viewing and editing images allows you to carry out detailed image editing, confirm image information (Exif) recorded when shooting, and carry out colour matching.
• Kodak EasyShare
This image management software has an intuitive interface ideal for beginners. It allows you to make beautiful prints easily. As well, you can quickly and easily share your favourite images with friends and family, make photo CDs, and attach photos to email.