Konica Minolta Dynax 5D is announced today. The Konica Minolta Dynax 5D is a 6.1 megapixel digital SLR camera that is smaller and lighter than the Dynax 7D. The Konica Minolta 5D features Anti-Shake technology that is compatible with all Dynax system lenses, large, 2.5-inch colour LCD monitor and a glass fibre plastic body. The Konica Minolta Dynax 5D is available in September and will cost £599.99 body only, or £649.99 including the AF DT 18-70mm F3.5-5.6 (D) lens.

The price of the Dynax 7D has also been revised: body only £799.99 (was £899.99), including the AF 28-100mm f3.5-5.6 (D) lens £899.99 (was £999.99).

Konica Minolta UK Press Release

High-Performance Digital SLR Camera Unites Body-Integral Anti-Shake Technology and Smooth Operation in a Lightweight Design

Following the release of the award winning Konica Minolta Dynax 7D, Konica Minolta is proud to announce the Dynax 5D, a high-performance interchangeable-lens digital SLR camera that combines Konica Minolta’s advanced technologies and greater ease of use into a smaller and lighter design.

The Dynax 5D ensures photo-imaging excellence using Konica Minolta’s proprietary award winning Anti-Shake technology, utilising an exclusive CCD-Shift mechanism to compensate for blurring caused by camera shake – even when taking photos in dimly lit scenes, in natural light with a telephoto lens, or in macro shots where extra stability is vital for a sharp shot. This innovative Anti-Shake technology not only provides the equivalent correction effect with a shutter speed 2 to 3 stops slower*2, but also compatibility with any Dynax system lenses*1.

Boasting more than high performance, this digital SLR camera also features an ideal, compact design with a high-quality, stylish, and lightweight construction. Rubberised grips make it highly tactile and easy to handle and hold.

The Dynax 5D ensures images of exceptional quality with a large, 6.1 Megapixel (effective) CCD sensor, an Advanced LSI engine for high-speed image processing, as well as Konica Minolta’s CxProcess™ III image processing technology, an original technology highly acclaimed for rendering fine image detail and stunning colour rendition.

Offering an enhanced view for superior pictures, the camera boasts a large 2.5 Inch colour LCD that provides simple navigation through easy-to-use on-screen menus and set-up options. The LCD makes camera control even easier, displaying detailed camera settings as well as captured images. For even greater convenience and ease of use, the Dynax 5D includes a Digital Subject Program Selector, which automatically designates an optimum exposure and image-processing program for five frequently photographed scenes.

The Dynax 5D also offers a comprehensive range of easy-to-use functions that allow precise adjustments of all camera settings whatever the shooting situation. While high-performance functions satisfy the demanding and creative techniques of photography enthusiasts, the camera has at its core ease of use and simple operation with a basic level of control that makes it ideal even for novice users.

Product Highlights
1. Body-Integral Anti-Shake performance with all Dynax system lenses*1 ensures steady shots for superb image quality
2. Simple operation in a stylish, compact and lightweight package
3. 6.1 Megapixel CCD and Konica Minolta original image processing technology CxProcess™ III renders images in amazing detail
4. A large, 2.5-inch colour LCD monitor provides clear image viewing and data display
5. Comprehensive image adjustment and control for creative
6. Easy and Intuitive Operation

Features

Body Integral Anti-Shake Performance with All Dynax System Lenses*1
The Dynax 5D inherits the revolutionary technology of the Dynax 7D – the world’s first*3 digital SLR with built-in Anti-Shake technology and CCD-Shift mechanism that is compatible with all Dynax system lenses*1.

This award winning Anti-Shake technology was selected as “European Photo Innovation of the Year 2004 – 2005” by EISA*4 and provides the equivalent compensation effect with a shutter speed 2 - 3 stops slower*2

Now it’s possible to reduce blur caused by camera-shake, even when taking photos in dimly lit or twilight scenes, in natural light with a telephoto lens, as well as macro shots – without relying on a higher ISO setting, the aid of a flash or tripod. Anti-Shake responds quickly to both broad, slowswaying motion of the camera body and the higher frequency shaking typical of camera-shake caused by the photographer’s hands.

The Anti-Shake technology can be switched on or off via a dedicated switch on the camera’s back, and an Anti-Shake indicator is displayed in the viewfinder LCD to keep the user informed when motion is detected.

Durable, Compact Body and High-Quality Texture
The Dynax 5D enhances camera reliability through its strong build quality. The body is constructed using sturdy glass fibre plastic, making it lighter and smaller than the Dynax 7D by about 22% in volume, while a functional rubber grip based on new ergonomic design research provides a comfortable and secure hold.

Large CCD and Advanced Image Processing Technology
Integrating Konica Minolta’s advanced technologies for photo-imaging excellence, the Dynax 5D boasts an advanced LSI (image processing engine) and CxProcess™ III technology designed to provide stunning, natural-looking images.

Konica Minolta original image processing technology, CxProcess™ III optimises four essential elements:
1) sharpness to take full advantage of the advanced optical technologies incorporated into the lens, presenting rich detail and realism without losing the quality of defocused images 2) colour reproduction to ensure that colours are rendered just as the human eye perceives them such as the subtle natural hues of skin tones, 3) gradation reproduction to render both clearness and deep presentation of gradations for both shadows and highlights 4) noise reduction to achieve a natural, impressive presentation of textured images.

Big, Bright 2.5 Inch LCD with Navigation Display
Providing an enhanced view for your photos, the Dynax 5D incorporates a large, 2.5 Inch LCD monitor that also works as a Navigation Display for camera settings. For even greater convenience, the display automatically switches from horizontal to vertical format when shooting in upright “portrait” format and lets you adjust size of the on-screen text.

Comprehensive image adjustment and control for creative users
a) Digital Subject Program Selector
The Digital Subject Program Selector offers five convenient options: portrait, sports, landscape, evening sunset view, and night view. Using the exposure mode dial, simply select an appropriate option for your chosen scene, and the Dynax 5D will automatically select an appropriate exposure control, AF mode, and image-processing program. This function makes it quick and easy for anyone to take beautiful shots without the need for complicated settings.

b) Digital Effect Control
An additional creative control allow further user adjustment, the Digital Effect Control lets you select an option among ten scene types, edit the parameters to your preferences, and then store the settings. Once a scene is selected, the Dynax 5D automatically sets appropriate image processing and image quality parameters. The exposure can then be manually selected so you can customise the contrast and sharpness saturation parameters within five steps from the default values to create the exact look you want.

c) Colour temperature setting:
In addition to AWB (auto white balance), PWB (preset white balance), custom white balance and colour temperature settings, the Dynax 5D offers added creative freedom with CC (Colour Compensation) filter effects and Colour Temperature fine-tuning in 100K increments. And, the camera’s G9 (Green) to M9 (Magenta) range enables precise white balance adjustments for difficult lighting situations.

d) White-Balance Bracketing:
Offering a new level of convenience and efficiency, this function lets you take a shot in differing colour temperature settings with two options for your desired colour temperate range. Based on the range, the Dynax 5D simultaneously records three frames in succession so you can manually select your favourite frame after the shot.

e) Zone Matching:
An inherited feature of the acclaimed Dynax 7D, High-key and Low-key tone capture extends the CCD dynamic range and adjust tone curves to ensure precise reproduction of gradations and suppress noise in low-lighting shots. For example, using High-key mode to take wedding photos under direct sunlight, the fine details of a bride’s flowers, white gown and train can be reproduced authentically. In comparison, using Low-key mode, the subtle changes of shadows of a dark scene can be captured in detail without noise interference.

Easy and Intuitive Operation
a) High-Performance, High-Speed AF
The Dynax 5D high-performance AF system offers exceptional accuracy with a central, cross hair type, 9-point and 8 line AF sensor array that enables high-precision Predictive Focus Control as well as High-Speed Subject Tracking for accurate focusing of moving subjects – of indispensable asset in action and sports photography.

b) Smooth, Responsive Continuous Shooting
The Dynax 5D lets you capture up to 10 frames at a rate of approximately 3 frames per second (in Large/Fine JPEG mode). The camera’s high recording speed enables you to continue shooting quickly soon after.

c) User-friendly dials and controls
The Dynax 5D offers a simple, user-friendly configuration of dials and controls that even a beginner SLR camera user will quickly feel familiar with. Added functions provide users who are moving up from more basic models with intuitive control; for example, the exposure mode dial also operates the five options of the Digital Subject Program Selector, and an independent lever ensures quick and easy white balance control. Electronic menus display adjustable parameters to meet the demands of advanced photographers, and a menu call button simplifies menu navigation. Enhancing ease of use further still, operating procedures that use common keys have been standardised across functions and screens so that users can navigate intuitively without having to refer the instructions.

d) High-Performance Viewfinder
A bright, clear viewfinder displays essential shooting settings at the bottom of the frame, providing users all the information they need to make creative adjustments quickly. It also incorporates a spherical acute matte focusing screen for accurate, bright critical focusing assessment. And, to accommodate the camera’s smaller design, the Dynax 5D employs a newly developed forwardbend finder optical system and roof-mirror type of pentaprism.

NOTES:
*1 Macro Zoom 1X to 3X specialist lenses the Anti-Shake function must be turned off
*2 The Anti-Shake technology correction effect varies with the shooting conditions and lens used
*3 As an Interchangeable-lens digital SLR camera
*4 The European Imaging and Sound Association, publishing 50 major photography and AV magazines in 20 European countries