A-DIGITAL-EYE (21ST CENTURY DIGITAL CAMERAS, PHOTO PRINTERS, PAPERS, CAMCORDERS, IMAGING SOFTWARE, DIGITAL EQUIPMENT, REVIEWS AND MORE!) BREAKING NEWS HEADLINES KONICA MINOLTA DIMAGE Z10 PREVIEW PAGE 
KONICA MINOLTA INTRODUCES THE 3.2 MEGAPIXEL DiMAGE Z10 DIGITAL CAMERA
Affordable new camera features fastest-in-class startup, 8x Optical "Mega Zoom," fast and reliable autofocusing, and energy efficient design
Mahwah, NJ (July 7, 2004) - Konica Minolta introduces an affordable new addition to the Z-series of digital cameras - the DiMAGE Z10. Featuring a fastest-in-class*1 startup time of 0.5 seconds, built-in 8x optical zoom lens, fast and reliable autofocusing with Predictive Focus Control, and an energy efficient design*2 that gives photographers up to 500 frames with the included AA alkaline batteries, the new DiMAGE Z10 is a convenient, fun and easy to use digital camera.
"The affordable new DiMAGE Z10 has been designed to bring high-quality digital photography into the daily lives of novice and advanced amateur photographers," said Jon Sienkiewicz, vice president of marketing, Konica Minolta's Camera Division. "Photographers carrying the DiMAGE Z10 with them will have a reliable digital camera to capture those everyday photographic moments exactly as they see them occur."
The Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z10's built-in 8x optical Mega Zoom lens and 4x digital zoom combine for a total 32x zoom, allowing photographers to capture everything from sporting events to panoramic scenery. The camera's optical lens system consists of 11 elements in nine groups and includes two aspheric lens elements, for sharp, high-quality images. The DiMAGE Z10 combines a 3.2-megapixel primary-color CCD with Konica Minolta's proprietary CxProcess™ II image processing technology for pictures that appear exactly the way they are seen.
The DiMAGE Z10's Rapid Autofocus (AF) combines a passive AF sensor with the video AF system, giving a fast focusing time of approximately 0.3 second in both wide-angle and telephoto positions. The Rapid AF also has Predictive Focus Control that predicts where a moving subject is heading and focuses accordingly. To round out the list of quick-response features, the DiMAGE Z10 has the fastest startup in its class*1 (0.5 seconds), a minimum shutter-release time lag, and continuous shooting.
Not only is the DiMAGE Z10 a sprinter with its fast startup, it's also a marathon champ with power efficiency that allows photographers to take up to approximately 500 frames with the four included AA alkaline batteries. This is more shots than any other digital camera with built-in flash running on AA alkaline batteries*2.
In addition, the DiMAGE Z10 has a Macro mode that allows photographers to get as close as 0.4 inches from their subject. This allows photographers to capture the smallest objects- such as flowers, insects, or jewelry-with the greatest detail.
The DiMAGE Z10 sports a new, high-tech design. Despite its large 8x optical zoom capability, it weighs just approximately 10.6 ounces. The camera's ergonomic design provides users with a comfortable grip while its intuitive control button layout allows even amateur photographers to start enjoying digital photography in no time at all.
*1 Approximately
0.5 second, from when main switch is turned on until LCD monitor
comes on. As of May 20, 2004, for digital cameras with 8x or
greater zoom.
*2 Up to approximately 500 frames with the four included AA
alkaline batteries. Based on Konica Minolta's standard test method
and compliant with the CIPA standard, with included AA alkaline
batteries and included SD Memory Card.
As of May 20, 2004, for digital cameras with built-in flash running
on AA alkaline batteries.
*3 PictBridge is an industry standard established by the Camera
& Imaging Products Association (CIPA).
About Konica Minolta
Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc.
Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc., headquartered in Mahwah,
NJ, is the North American sales and marketing subsidiary of Konica
Minolta Holdings, Inc. (Tokyo, Japan). On August 5, 2003 Konica
Minolta Holdings, Inc. was formed to enhance both the competitive
business capabilities and earning capacities of Konica Corporation
and Minolta Co., Ltd.
Consumers around the world have come to know and trust the Konica and Minolta brands for all their imaging needs. Since the earliest days of the photo industry, Minolta and Konica have applied their talents and resources to create products and services that are essential to the world of imaging. Today, these efforts concentrate on the most important aspects of imaging: the quality of the images, the tools and methods for creating images, and the creation of environments for the application of images.
This focus on the essentials of imaging ties together the company's key business and consumer product lines. Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc. is a leading manufacturer and marketer of 35mm and Advanced Photo System film, single-use cameras, digital and 35mm film cameras, accessory lenses, binoculars, photographic and color measurement meters. In addition the company offers color print photo papers, inkjet photo paper, digital minilabs, digital film scanners, optical instruments, software and advanced imaging and sensing technologies. Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc. also provides wholesale photofinishing services and Internet imaging services. It is a complete imaging company, from input through output. For more information about Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc., its products and services, visit www.konicaminolta.us.
All brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
New Konica Minolta Z-Series Digital Camera: The DiMAGE Z10
Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc.'s new compact and easy-to-use DiMAGE Z10 3.2 megapixel digital camera is an affordable yet feature-rich camera, perfect for novice as well as advanced amateur photographers.
Product Highlights
· Large 8x
optical Mega Zoom lens perfect for landscape photography as well
as extreme close-ups. Combining the optical zoom with the seamless
4x digital zoom provides a total 32x zoom
· High performance built-in lens and 3.2-megapixel CCD
with Konica Minolta's CxProcess™ II high-quality image processing
technology
· Fastest startup in its class*1-the DiMAGE Z10 is ready
to shoot in approximately 0.5 seconds.
· Rapid AF with Predictive Focus Control for ultra-high-speed
focusing to capture even the most fleeting photo opportunities
· Four AA alkaline batteries power the DiMAGE Z10 for
up to 500 frames
· Macro mode for close-ups as near as 0.4 inches from
the subject
Features
Incredible 32x Total
Zoom Lens Range
The new DiMAGE Z10 features a built-in 8x optical zoom lens capable
of focal lengths from 36-290mm (35mm equivalent) while providing
focal lengths up to 1160mm (35mm equivalent) when combined with
the 4x seamless digital zoom. With the 8x optical zoom lens and
the 4x digital zoom combining for a 32x total zoom, the DiMAGE
Z10 is perfect for taking pictures of distant subjects or far-away
scenic shots.
The DiMAGE Z10 incorporates a high performance 8x optical lens consisting of 11 elements in nine groups that includes two aspheric lens elements. With two aspheric lens elements, the DiMAGE Z10 corrects various kinds of optical aberrations in the zoom range and renders beautiful, homogenous, distortion-free images from the center to the edges.
3.2-Megapixel CCD
for Beautiful Prints
The 3.2-megapixel, 1/2.5-inch CCD produces plenty of detail for
creating high-quality enlargements-as large as 10 x 13 inches
at 150 dpi print resolution. In addition, the CCD's primary color
filter offers high color fidelity.
Fastest Startup in
Its Class*1
The DiMAGE Z10 boasts an amazingly fast startup time. Just switch
the camera on and it's ready to start taking pictures in approximately
0.5 seconds*1.
Rapid Autofocus (AF)
with Predictive Focus Control
Thanks to a hybrid rapid AF combining a passive AF sensor with
the video AF system, focusing takes just 0.3 seconds. The DiMAGE
Z10 includes Predictive Focus Control, which allows photographers
to capture sharper images of moving subjects-like a child running
through the back yard.
Progressive Capture
The DiMAGE Z10 allows photographers to take high-speed consecutive
shots at approximately 1.5 frames per second and the DiMAGE Z10
captures consecutive images onto the camera's 16MB internal memory.
Release the shutter button and the last six shots are recorded
onto the memory card. This function is handy for shooting sporting
events or for recording, analyzing and improving form in personal
sports training situations such as a golf swing.
Up to 500 Frames
on Four AA Alkaline Batteries
The DiMAGE Z10's power-saving design allows photographers to
take up to 500 frames on a set of four AA alkaline batteries.
This is more shots than any other digital camera with built-in
flash running on AA alkaline batteries*2.
Superbly Detailed
Images with CxProcess™ II
Konica Minolta's CxProcess™ II image processing technology
incorporates characteristics like smooth gradations, natural
skin tones, and brilliantly clear colors for images that are
more natural and lifelike.
Noise Reduction
Noise Reduction improves night photography by automatically preventing
the blemishes and graininess associated with slow-shutter speeds.
PASM Exposure Control
and Metering Modes
The DiMAGE Z10 offers incredible control over exposure. The camera
features four modes: Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority,
and Manual. Manual exposure enables 30-second time exposures.
The DiMAGE Z10 has three metering modes: Multi-segment, center-weighted,
and spot. Multi-segment metering uses 256 segments to determine
exposure.
Automatic Digital
Subject Program Selection
Automatic Digital Subject Program Selection automatically chooses
the best recording mode for each image. Photographers can also
manually select from Portrait, Sports Action, Landscape, and
Sunset modes. The DiMAGE Z10 can also be set to Night portrait
mode in the menu settings.
Get as Close as 0.4
inches with Macro
Shoot amazing close-up photographs using the camera's Macro mode.
This mode allows photographer's to get as close as 0.4 inches
to their subject.
Switch Finder
The DiMAGE Z10's Switch Finder function allows photographers
to view the LCD monitor images through the viewfinder (Viewfinder
display) or on the LCD monitor itself (Monitor display). There
is no color, contrast, or resolution difference between the images
viewed on the viewfinder and on the LCD monitor because both
are the same image. The viewfinder was designed with a large
apparent angle of view so the image is large and clear.
Key Customize
For added flexibility and convenience, the camera's flash button
can be customized to handle different settings. This means that
instead of going through the menus on the camera's LCD panel,
photographers can use the flash button to change settings like
the drive mode, white balance, focus mode, color mode, or sensitivity.
PictBridge*3-Compliant
Forget all about complicated connections with a PC. Users can
get prints directly from the camera by connecting the DiMAGE
Z10 to a PictBridge*3-compliant printer. Users just check which
images they want to print on the DiMAGE Z10's LCD monitor and
then print out their favorites.
VGA Movie Recording
The DiMAGE Z10 can record movies without sound. It records 15-frames-per-second
VGA-size (640x480) movies, which are much easier to view during
playback than conventional QVGA-size (320x240) movies. It also
records 320x240 movies at either 30 frames per second or 15 frames
per second. The XR (Extended Recording) Movie mode lets users
record longer movie clips onto the SD memory card until the memory
card is full. Night Movie uses high camera sensitivity to record
under extreme low-light conditions. And Movie Frame Capture lets
users select their favorite scenes from a movie and saves them
as still images.
New Design
The DiMAGE Z10's design is advanced yet familiar and easy-to-use.
Despite its large 8x zoom range, it weighs just 10.6 ounces.
It's also easy to carry and operate even for amateur photographers.
The camera's ergonomic form makes it easy to hold and keep steady
for those zoom shots.
Optional Wide Converter
Wide-Angle Converter ZCW-200
The optional Wide Converter Kit allows photographers to fit more
of a scene into each shot. The lens features a 26mm wide angle
that is ideal for capturing indoor or outdoor architecture and
panoramic landscape shots.
*1 Approximately
0.5 second, from when main switch is turned on until LCD monitor
comes on. As of May 20, 2004, for digital cameras with 8x or
greater zoom.
*2 Up to approximately 500 frames with the four included AA
alkaline batteries. Based on Konica Minolta's standard test method
and compliant with the CIPA standard, with included AA alkaline
batteries and included SD Memory Card.
As of May 20, 2004, for digital cameras with built-in flash running
on AA alkaline batteries.
*3 PictBridge is an industry standard established by the Camera
& Imaging Products Association (CIPA).
