Konica Minolta today rolled out the Maxxum 7D, a new digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera with anti-shake technology. The company also introduced two new zoom lenses designed specifically for the Maxxum 7D, and also debuted new image editing software and new DiMAGE A point-and-shoot digital cameras. Pricing on the new cameras and accessories was not announced.
The Maxxum 7D features 6.1-megapixel resolution and a 2.5-inch color LCD display. The anti-shake technology shifts the CCD itself to compensate for camera motion; it’s even effective at shutter speeds up to three times slower than what photographers could use without it, according to the manufacturer. The Maxxum 7D uses a dial and lever system similar to its film-based counterpart, and has a built-in flash, though it supports external flash units as well. It stores images on CompactFlash media and features USB 2.0 to interface to a compatible Mac or PC.
DiMAGE Master is the new software Konica Minolta includes with the Maxxum 7D; it’s Mac and PC-compatible, and it provides users with tools to view, classify, correct and print images from their digital cameras. The software supports various color spaces and color management using ICC profiles, and can convert raw image color space directly to the printer’s color space for best fidelity. Batch processing and other features are also included. DiMAGE Master Mac system requirements include G3 or higher, Mac OS X v10.1.3 or later; 128MB RAM; 200MB hard disk space and 1024 x 768 display.
While the Maxxum 7D can accommodate any Maxxum AF lens, Konica Minolta on Wednesday also introduced two new zoom lenses designed specifically for this camera: the AF ZOOM 17 – 35mm F/2.8 – 4 (D) and the AF ZOOM 28 – 75mm F/2.8 (D). The lenses incorporate Advanced Distance Integration (ADI) flash metering, which provides the camera with more information on focusing distance to adjust flash lighting and exposure accuracy.
The DiMAGE A200 is an 8.0-megapixel point-and-shoot camera that also features anti-shake technology. It sports an SLR-style body design, pivoting 1.8-inch LCD monitor, 7x optical zoom, 11-point selectable autofocus area and flex focus point, and multi-function wireless remote control. It can record movies at 640 x 480 pixels at 30 frames per second, as well. Like the Maxxum 7D, the DiMAGE A200 records files on CompactFlash media, but uses USB 1.1 to connect to compatible PCs and Macs. Konica Minolta expects to ship the DiMAGE A200 in December 2004.