Konica Minolta stopper kameraproduksjonen

Helt uventet var det ikke, men ikke desto mindre er det dramatisk når Konica Minolta i dag annonserer at de vil stoppe all kameraproduksjon.

Pressemeldingen bekrefter langt på vei ryktene om at Sony kommer til å overta Konica Minoltas kameradivisjon.

Sony vil dermed sørge for at det fortsatt vil bli produsert systemkameraer med Konica Minolta objektivfatning. Sony overtar også patenter knyttet til Konica Minoltas unike CCD bildestabilisering, noe som gir et berettighet håp om at denne løsningen vil kome nye produkter til gode.

Pressemelding fra Konica Minolta:

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 photo business, represented by the silver-halide photography such as color film and color paper, we have produced Japan?s first photographic paper in 1903, and Japan?s first color film in 1940, thus pioneering joy of photography for more than a century. In 1984, we introduced the world?s first compact washless photofinishing system known as a minilab system. The minilabs contributed to the expansion of worldwide photographic market by making photos closer to consumers and amazingly shortening delivery time.

However, traditional silver-halide photographic market is shrinking astonishingly by the surge of the worldwide digitization. In such a changing world, profits for camera and photo businesses worsened in recent years, and it became necessary to drastically reform business structure for the further growth of Konica Minolta. Ever since we decided and announced restructuring guidelines of our businesses on November 4, 2005, we have been considering practical and detailed plan, and we would like to announce our decision made today as follows:

1) Camera Business
In camera business, we have reached an agreement with Sony Corporation(Sony), having numerous image sensor technologies such as CCD and CMOS, to jointly develop digital SLR cameras in July 2005. 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.

Sony is planning to develop digital SLR cameras compatible with Maxxum/Dynax lens mount system, so that the current Maxxum/Dynax users will be able to continue to use them with Sony?s digital SLR cameras. In addition, we will consign camera service operations for Konica Minolta, Konica,Minolta brand cameras and related equipment to Sony.

2) Photo Business
In today's shrinking photographic market represented by color film and color paper, we have been considering to scale back and to continue photo business at an appropriate size; however, when we foresee the photographic market, it is quite difficult to maintain profitability in this field, and we have decided to withdraw from photo business. As schemed below, we will, as much as possible, avoid causing any inconvenience in providing products to our worldwide customers in the course of withdrawal.

For color film and color paper, while considering our customer needs, we will step-by-step reduce product lineup and cease our color film and color paper production by the end of fiscal year ending March 31, 2007.

For minilab business, we will cease production of the system by the end of fiscal year ending March 31, 2006; however we will have such company as Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd to provide maintenance and customer services so as not to cause any inconvenience to our customers.

In line with the above scheme, with consideration to our customers and regional situations, we will step-by-step reorganize our sales offices and withdraw from all of our photo sales activities by September 30, 2007.

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

Sony DSLR camera - Development
This transfer will take place at the same time, that Konica Minolta PI will consign its customer service operation for Konica Minolta cameras and related products (Konica Minolta, Konica and Minolta brand film cameras, digital still cameras, lenses, accessories etc.) to Sony. Agreement to this effect was reached today. Under this agreement, on March 31 2006, Sony will receive certain assets from Konica Minolta PI that are necessary for the development, design, production and so forth of digital SLR cameras compatible with Konica Minolta PI's "Maxxum/Dynax lens mount system".

Sony - Image sensor technologies
Sony has numerous technologies and devices essential for digital imaging equipment, such as CCD and CMOS imaging sensors, image processing technologies and lithium ion batteries. Moreover, Sony?s strength in product planning, total design and high-density mounting have created a series of breakthrough compact and light digital imaging products. With products such as "Handycam" video cameras, and "Cybershot" digital still cameras, Sony has greatly contributed to expanding the digital imaging market.

Sony digital SLR cameras
"We are excited to co-develop new products with Konica Minolta?s advanced camera technologies represented by its "Maxxum / Dynax series" and our digital audio visual technologies,? said Yutaka Nakagawa, Sony?s Executive Vice President and Personal Audio Visual Network Company NC President. "Sony will further strengthen its digital imaging business through creating new market opportunities with the digital SLR camera field."

Sony digital single lens reflex - Mount system
Sony will accelerate development of new digital SLR cameras based on and compatible with the Maxxum/Dynax lens mount system with a view to marketing these models this summer. On the basis of its ongoing "selection and concentration", Konica Minolta Group will concentrate on its core "business technologies" field and its strategic "optics and display devices" field and withdraw from camera business (excludes production of digital SLR cameras and interchangeable lenses for Sony) as of March 31, 2006. At the same time, Konica Minolta PI will partially transfer certain assets related to digital SLR cameras to Sony.