New Minolta SD-CF1 CompactFlash Adapter provides the ultimate in flexibility, compatibility and convenience

Ramsey, NJ (May 12, 2003) - Minolta Corporation announces the new Minolta SD-CF1 CompactFlash Adapter, enabling SD (Secure Digital) Memory Cards to be used with most CompactFlash compatible cameras, printers, PDAs or other imaging equipment. Use of an SD Memory Card with the new Minolta adapter permits transfer rates of up to 30% faster* then CompactFlash cards alone.

In addition, by combining the new Minolta SD-CF1 adapter with PCMCIA Type I CF type PC card adapters, SD Memory Cards can be used with laptop computers. With unmatched compatibility, SD Memory Cards can now be used to transfer data between three different kinds of card slots - SD Memory Card slots, CompactFlash slots, and PC card slots (PC card slot requires the Minolta CompactFlash Card Adapter CA-1C).

"Minolta is committed to making digital photography easier for everyone," said Jon Sienkiewicz, vice president of marketing, Minolta Corporation's Consumer Products Group. "The new Minolta SD-CF1 CompactFlash Adapter seamlessly integrates recording media for different model digital cameras and other devices enabling consumers to use recording media they already own. And in many instances, has the added advantage of improved performance characteristics."

The new Minolta SD-CF1 CompactFlash Adapter was developed because currently available CompactFlash adapters interfere with the closing of digital camera card chambers. The innovative functionality of the Minolta SD-CF1 CompactFlash Adapter was achieved through a 15% miniaturization of all circuit dimensions. This allows SD Memory Cards to completely fit in type I CompactFlash compatible cameras without sacrificing operability.

The SD-CF1 adapter also allows SD Memory Cards used with the Minolta DiMAGE X and F series cameras to be used in the Minolta DiMAGE 7 and S series cameras (which use CompactFlash type I). For example, the same SD Memory Card can be used for both the Minolta DiMAGE Xi and Minolta DiMAGE 7Hi, enabling Minolta digital camera users to unify their recording media. By allowing users to take advantage of both CompactFlash type I and type II slots, the Minolta SD-CF1 adapter provides the ultimate in flexibility.

The Minolta SD-CF1 adapter also maximizes performance by taking advantage of the SD Memory Card's fast reading and writing speed. By combining the adapter with the Panasonic 256MB or 512MB SD Memory Cards for example, an ultimate read/write rate of 3.3MB/s can be achieved.

As a further benefit, images recorded by SD Memory Card compatible digital cameras can be downloaded into CompactFlash compatible PDAs. Likewise, images shot on SD Memory Card compatible digital cameras can be printed directly from CompactFlash compatible printers without being attached to a computer.

*Results are based on Minolta's standard testing methods.

Minolta Corporation
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. Minolta Corporation's Consumer Products Group (CPG) markets 35mm film and Advanced Photo System cameras, digital cameras, binoculars, accessory lenses, photographic light meters, 35mm and Advanced Photo System film scanners and other consumer products.

The corporation's Business Products Group (BPG) markets digital and analog office equipment. Products include black-and-white copiers, digital black and white printer/copiers, plain-paper laser facsimile machines, digital color printer/copiers, micrographic systems, document management software, and related office equipment.

For more information, visit Minolta's Web site located at www.minoltausa.com or access Minolta's PHOTOFAX at 800-528-4767.

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