Camera Konica Minolta Announces Withdrawal Plan for Camera Business and Photo Business !

Crazy_Eddy

Crazy_Eddy

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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.

In order to continue to have our customers use Maxxum/Dynax lenses, and to maximize possibilities of the optical, mechanical and electronics technologies accumulated through development of SLR cameras in the years to come, we came to the conclusion that it was best to transfer assets concerning camera business to Sony. Since then, we have been negotiating with Sony, and as a result, we have reached an agreement with Sony to transfer a portion of assets regarding digital SLR camera system to Sony. In this relation, we have decided to withdraw from camera business, such as film cameras and digital cameras, within Konica Minolta Group as of March 31, 2006.

From April 1 2006, Konica Minolta PI will consign the customer service operations for Konica Minolta cameras and related products* to Sony, and Sony will implement service operations from that date onward.

(* Konica Minolta, Konica and Minolta brand film cameras, digital still cameras, lenses, accessories etc.)

Konica Minolta Press Release : http://konicaminolta.com/releases/2006/0119_03_01.html

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Sad to see Minolta leave the market, on the brighter side its good news that Minolta will now serve as an OEM for Sony Digital SLR cameras :)
 
^ Nikon isn't leaving the market, they only cut down on the Analog/Film based camera market and decided to focus solely on Digital cameras from now on. :)
 
Konica Minolta Photo Imaging has decided to withdraw from the photo business, it said Thursday. The Japanese company plans to exit the film and digital camera markets by March this year and will transfer part of its assets related to digital SLR cameras to Sony, it says.



The decision highlights how tough times are now for many long-time camera manufacturers. The introduction of digital photography in the 1990s brought with it a large number of new competitors, and specialist knowledge built up over the years related to things like the chemical reaction to light was superseded in importance by the ability to design and make semiconductor chips. Last week Nikon said it would end production of most of its 35 millimeter film cameras to focus on digital models.

Despite its experience in optics, mechanics, and electronics, the company is finding it difficult to produce competitive products in a timely manner now that image sensor technologies such as CCD (charge-coupled device) are indispensable, the company said.

Working Together

Konica Minolta and Sony announced plans in July 2005 to jointly develop a digital SLR camera.

Single-lens reflex cameras use a mirror placed between the lens and the film or image sensor to project the image to the camera's viewfinder. They typically support interchangeable lenses and are generally much faster-responding and more capable than fixed-lens cameras.

At the time the companies said the first jointly developed cameras would be on the market after about a year.

Sony plans to use the Konica Minolta Maxxum/Dynax lens mount on these digital SLR cameras. This lens mount first appeared on Minolta cameras in 1985 and about 16 million lenses based on the mount have been shipped, Konica Minolta said last year. A key advantage of this mount over others is that it relies on an auto-focus system in the camera body, so as auto-focus technology improves and owners replace their cameras, the lenses can continue to be used and take advantage of improvements.

Konica Minolta said the ability of existing customers to use their lenses with future cameras is one advantage of transferring the digital SLR work to Sony.

Sony is expected to provide an update on its digital SLR development work on Friday.

Konica Minolta also said it plans to exit the minilab business by the end of March and the color film and color paper markets by the end of March 2007.

Shipments of digital SLR cameras are forecast to climb sharply over the coming years, according to data from IDC. There were about 2.5 million such cameras shipped in 2004 and this will rise to 7.3 million in 2009, the company predicted in mid-2005. At the same time the average selling price of such cameras will likely drop from $1359 in 2004 to $810 in 2009, forecast IDC.

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Merged, thanks Nikhil :)
 
yeah .. i was talking abt the analogs :) ... they will continue production of only 2 products ....

though .. in small budget cams ... analogs are still the best ... i agree digital ones are better in lots of sides .. but with those ... prices skyrocket (at least till now :( )
 
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