Konica Minolta withdraw from camera business

[Mungous]

This has to be the biggest and most shocking news before the upcoming PMA show, Konica Minolta has today announced that it is withdrawing from the camera and photo business. They will be transferring assets related to their camera business to Sony who will continue to develop digital SLR's based around the Konica Minolta lens mount. Konica Minolta it appears will continue to work with Sony (a relationship announced last year) in the development of digital SLR's and lenses but they will not be branded as or be sold by Konica Minolta. Full announcement and details of the Sony asset transfer inside.

More detais: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0601/06...minoltaout.asp

I'm sort of surprised actually. Their consumer cameras seemed to be doing pretty well.

[FlyingPhotog]

Wow that's big news! Also I heard Nikon is not making any 35mm cameras any longer except the F6.

[medic1]

Well I had heard that Konica was withdrawing from the camera business in Canada, so one had to wonder how long it would be before they scrubbed it altogether.

[janni-chan]

WHAT?!?!? I was planning on getting a Z6 later this year since that's what my dad has Looks like I have to look for something else... hm..

[bbuse]

This news was a surprise to me, but probably shouldn't have been a surprise when you consider how competitive the digital camera market has become. I have a feeling that we will see others follow and get out of the camera business.

[Chris@YYZ]

damn, thats surprizing, I was thinking of getting a 7D too, oh well, c'est la vie!

[medic1]

damn, thats surprizing, I was thinking of getting a 7D too, oh well, c'est la vie!

You might be able to get one fairly cheap soon if there are any hanging around out there on store shelves...I wonder if they'll still service their existing equipment or not.

[Genessee]

I wonder if they'll still service their existing equipment or not.

I was thinking that too. Or will Sony do it now? At least all those KM mount lenses out there will be compatible with future Sony DSLR cameras.

[Chris@YYZ]

You might be able to get one fairly cheap soon if there are any hanging around out there on store shelves...I wonder if they'll still service their existing equipment or not.

yeah, I already have all the KM lenses, and a KM film body, but I think I'll be just as good going with a 350D and some L.

I'm betting that Sony will take over completly, i.e. sales, product development, repair, etc.