Minolta's New Dimage EX ZOOM 1500 Sets the Digital Imaging Industry
on Fire; Trend-Setting Digital Camera Offers Detachable 3X Zoom Lens,
Megapixel EXpress Resolution and Unmatched Performance
09:19 a.m. Aug 31, 1998 Eastern
RAMSEY, N.J., Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Minolta is setting new
standards in digital imaging with its new Dimage EX ZOOM 1500
digital camera. Partnering with LSI Logic and its DCAM-101(TM)
microprocessor, and FlashPoint Technology with its Digita(TM)
operating environment, Minolta has developed a digital camera
that incorporates the most advanced technology available today.
Not to mention the Dimage EX ZOOM 1500 incorporates Minolta
superior 300 lines per mm optics, Megapixel EXpress resolution
of 1.5 million pixels, professional SLR-like camera capabilities,
and unique features found only in Minolta digital cameras.
Users don't have to sacrifice image quality in the quest for high-speed continuous
capture. In the burst capture mode, the Dimage EX ZOOM 1500 realizes an amazing
speed of 3.5 fps for continuous, capture at true megapixel resolution. This is possible
thanks to the camera's 16MB of onboard RAM, the DCAM-101(TM) image
processor from LSI Logic and Digita(TM) Operating Environment from FlashPoint.
"With our extraordinary development team of Minolta, LSI Logic and FlashPoint
Technology, we've created the next generation digital camera, offering the ultimate
digital imaging experience with a new level of versatility and performance," said Jon
Sienkiewicz, Vice President of Marketing for Minolta Corporation's Consumer
Products Group. "By integrating Minolta's superior optics and camera design, LSI's
fast image processor and FlashPoint's versatile operating environment into the
Dimage EX ZOOM 1500, we've made one of the fastest, most innovative digital
cameras available today, at an affordable price."
With the Dimage EX ZOOM 1500, Minolta is pushing the envelope when it comes to
resolution, speed, and innovative camera functions. The Dimage EX ZOOM 1500
captures photo quality images at a Megapixel EXpress resolution of 1.5 million pixels
(1,344 x 1,008). The camera also boasts a detachable 3x zoom lens for ultimate
versatility. In addition, Minolta will announce the Dimage EX WIDE 1500, a wide
and bright lens unit, at a later date.
LSI Logic and Minolta:
Minolta has worked closely with LSI Logic to develop the DCAM-101(TM) image
processor. This single-chip solution was designed to help streamline major digital
camera functions for previewing, capturing, compressing, filtering, storing,
transferring, and displaying digital images. In addition, the DCAM chip is integral to
achieving the camera's 3.5 fps in burst capture mode.
At the heart of the DCAM-101 is LSI's leadership MiniRISC MIPS microprocessor.
This is a powerful, yet compact 32-bit computer engine that helped Minolta tailor the
camera to exact specifications. For example, the JPEG compression and
decompression, pixel filtering and complex image manipulation are optimized using
the DCAM-101 image processor.
FlashPoint and its Digita Operating Environment
Digita is a software platform designed specifically to power this next generation of
digital imaging devices. With its multi-task capability, Digita delivers a series of
in-camera features and easy-to-use menu displays to make the Dimage EX ZOOM
1500 accommodating for first time photographers and professionals alike. Digita
allows consumers to easily capture and view images, and even catalog them
according to type of scene or subject -- all right within the camera. In addition, Digita
offers unlimited expansion possibilities enabling users to add features and customize
their cameras through easily installable software upgrades.
On the host PC side, Minolta completes the connection between the computer and
camera using FlashPoint's Digita Desktop(TM). The software provides seamless
image transfers, maintains image quality and preserves file information. It works with
IBM-compatible PCs and Apple Macintoshes.
Digita(TM) Script
Minolta has also incorporated Digita(TM) Script from FlashPoint into the Dimage EX
ZOOM 1500, adding versatile in-camera features not previously available for digital
cameras. Using the Digita(TM) Script programming language, users can customize
their work like never before. For example, photographers can access advanced
camera functions for better control, while insurance adjusters can capture images of
wrecked cars, catalog information, and transmit these images in minutes. Novice
users can be guided through camera operations by an in-camera tutorial viewed on
the LCD screen.
Minolta World-Renowned Optics
The Dimage EX ZOOM 1500 incorporates superior optics including an
ultra-compact, 3x zoom lens with a zoom ratio of 7-21mm, equivalent to 38-115mm in
the 35mm format. In addition, the macro capability lets the user take full-frame
pictures of business card-size subjects.
Versatility
Like its predecessor the Dimage V, the Dimage EX ZOOM 1500 features a
detachable lens. With the optional 5 foot long extension cable, the Dimage EX
ZOOM 1500 lens can be detached from the camera body for unsurpassed versatility,
great for shooting above crowds or around corners.
Expandable and Upgradable
Minolta has extended the detachable lens concept by producing an advanced digital
bus; the EX Digital Bus. This enables the Dimage EX ZOOM 1500 to accept a
variety of attachments such as interchangeable lenses or an EX Lighting Adapter. It
also offers expansion capabilities for a higher resolution CCD lens unit in the future.
Image Display
The 2-inch color LCD monitor allows for easy composition. The monitor is also
handy for viewing or deleting images on the spot. In addition, the Dimage EX ZOOM
1500 features a real-image optical zoom viewfinder to help conserve batteries.
Image Storage
Images captured with the Dimage EX ZOOM 1500 are stored on a CompactFlash
Card. The camera is shipped with a 4MB storage card that can store up to 40
images in 1,344 x 1,008 pixels, depending on which compression mode is selected --
super fine (uncompressed), fine, standard or economy. Additional memory cards are
available in larger capacities.
Minolta Corporation, headquartered in Ramsey, New Jersey, is the largest subsidiary
of Minolta Co. Ltd., of Osaka, Japan, a leading manufacturer of cameras, business
equipment, radiometric instruments and planetariums. For more information,
consumers can visit Minolta's Web site located at minoltausa.com or
access Minolta's PHOTOFAX at 800-528-4767.
Minolta Corporation's Consumer Products Group (CPG) markets film cameras,
digital cameras, binoculars, accessory lenses, photographic meters, 35mm. and
Advanced Photo System film scanners and other consumer products. Minolta is the
exclusive distributor of Cokin filters and PCFM!
All brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective
companies. SOURCE Minolta Corporation
Copyright 1998, PR Newswire
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