Konica Minolta to shift focus, scale back camera biz

If you've been planning to pick up a Konica Minolta digicam, better do it fast — or wait a while and get it cheap on eBay. Amid mounting losses, the company has announced a major restructuring that will see it scaling back most consumer operations, including its film business (no surprise there), and its digital camera business, where its market share has lagged competitors like Canon and Nikon. The company will likely stay in the DSLR market, however, where it remains committed to a deal to jointly develop DSLRs with Sony. As part of the restructuring plan, KM will cut 4,000 jobs, and focus more resources on business-to-business products, such as copiers and LCD components.

[Aaron @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Konica Minolta has wonderful digicams (I have two!) but they suffer from lack of marketing. Who even knew that KM has a pocket-sized 8MP digicam with 3x non-protruding optical zoom? I do because I was looking for a model with a high megapixel count and small size, so I purchased the KM X1. Your average consumer doesn't have the time or inclination to check specs and search reviews. They go based on what's advertised. When have you ever seen a commercial or advertisement for any of KM's products?

[Geir E @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

They better not back out on the DSLR game, or I'll kick their nuts. I'm awaiting a 10 mpixel or so DSLR, and I'll be the first to buy it when it comes. With Sonys CCD/CMOS tech and with minoltas bodys. So please, please, please do not drop out of this.

[Howard Fuhs @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

As a professional photographer who started with Konika SLRs in the 70s and switched to Minolta 9000 cameras in the early 80s it is interesting to see how two big companies try to merge, put out high quality products but are failing miserably when it comes to promote the products. Their massive lack of marketing and the unprofessional attempts of marketing are a pure catastrophe. Seen from the quality factor the Dynax 7D outguns all of their competitors in that price segment but is there e.g. product support for professionals availabel? No way! Is there a product portfolio available that will satisfy profressionals? No way! I wonder when I am forced to change to KM competitors because of ongoing suboptimal KM behavior.

[Alex @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

The Konica Minolta 7D produces images that are more natural and sharp than those produced by Canon, and as per other posters above, their marketing lets them down. While I respect Canon as a company (I own a Canon scanner and printer), I believe their digicams produce soft images that are designed to appeal to people, rather than reflect an accurate representation of the subject. I am saving for a 7D, or whatever replaces it. It's outstanding ergonomics, in body IS and stunning 2.5" LCD help it kick ass. And it's NOT the megapixels that count.

[Seamus Phan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Echoing some of my brethren here, I too, started my photography first with a simple Minolta SLR in those old days of the 80s, before I progressed to using the Mamiya and Bronica medium format and view camera large format stuff, way before digital came about. What a sad day, since Minolta those days were competitive and produced great and affordable products for those of us who were serious about photography, but could not afford say a Nikon.

Times change I guess.
bless

[Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

"The Konica Minolta 7D produces images that are more natural and sharp than those produced by Canon"

I can't even begin to get my head around this statement...

"While I respect Canon as a company (I own a Canon scanner and printer), I believe their digicams produce soft images that are designed to appeal to people, rather than reflect an accurate representation of the subject."

Why don't you actually look at some real tests, vs. what you "believe"?

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/konicaminolta7d/page21.asp
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/konicaminolta7d/page25.asp

There is nothing wrong with the 7D or any KM DSLR, but there's no point making these sweeping generalizations you're making with absolutely no evidence to back any of it up (and in fact plenty of evidence to the contrary).

[uncaringbear @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Wow, it only took 5 comments before to provoke a fanboy. If you even suggest that there are reasonable alternatives to Canon, look out!

[gary conrad @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Uncaringbear suffers from the "I can't read a post" syndrome. It is not being a fanboy when a post that is provably incorrect is challenged. In addition, no where in Jeff's post does he tell us which camera system he uses.

[Tsq @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Sad day, though I will definitely echo earlier comments on Minolta's utter incompetence when it comes to marketing. They don't sell them enough through major outlets, and the lack of promotion and awareness bit them in the rear, despite the 7D and 5D's excellent reviews and design. In this day and age, you can't afford bad publicity or a lack of one. KM came into the DSLR market late, and had some ugly consumer digitals to boot.

I got a Maxxum / Dynax 7D about 1 month ago after trying a Canon DigReb XT and Nikon D50. Used an old 7000i for years and waited for Minolta to make a DSLR and wasn't disappointed. It was (and still is) a really sweet deal if you factor in the fact that only Minolta has built-in IS, which is great for someone who doesn't want to carry a tripod with them 99% of the time. I was really frustrated with Canon's menu system, and although Nikon's are quite intuitive, the cost was too much. Minolta really astounds me with their good design. Of course, there is definitely room for improvement like focus speed... but I won't write a full review here. Suffice to say my pictures are coming out astoundingly well. For it's price, you can't beat the wonderful features and intuitive on-the-fly controls.

I don't understand the need to blast Minolta and claim Canons and Nikon's are better, although they have hordes of fanboys / girls. The reverse is also true. There are tons of people (on this forum especially) who always want the latest and greatest, and show it off. And who frankly gives a crap over minute differences between Canons / Nikons / Pentax / KM / Oly etc. Go out and try them out, don't judge by the reviews and take their word like holy scripture. I bet that in the end, you'll be happy with whichever you choose anyway.

[Monkey @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

They do have really bad marketing. I work for Minolta IT, and I barely hear anything about new products except when it was put on the employee price list. And to top it off, no more employee discount! (they've had a statement on the camera division since oct. 1 about their demise)

[Don V Pull @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Gosh - that really is good news! To think that three weeks ago I went out and bought a KM Dynax 7 with addition 50mm prime lens costing almost �400.00 and - AND - and two weeks ago a KM Dynax 7D with another �400.00 wide angle zoom. Minolta were once the very best deal one could aspire to in my opinion - when does this virtual ditching of current models become virtual fraud?
Don.

[Craig @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I've heard a fair number of times from various places corroborating on KM releasing several new lenses and possibly a FF DSLR this Spring. Perhaps the collaboration with Sony will help -- KM makes good products, but doesn't know how to market, whereas Sony knows how to market, but doesn't know how to make decent products. :-/

/me dons his flame-retardent undies.