Affordable new scanner provides the high-quality image scans that consumers have come to expect from Minolta film scanners

Ramsey, NJ (October 28, 2002) - Minolta Corporation expands its DiMAGE film scanner line with the introduction of the affordable new Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III. The easy to use DiMAGE Scan Dual III allows first time users and advanced users alike to produce high-quality scans from 35mm and Advanced Photo System* film that equal or surpass more expensive film scanners and that offer quality not available in flatbed scanners. This economical and versatile new film scanner features new image enhancing options, a fast plug and play USB 2.0 interface and easy-to-use scanning features.

"The Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III offers the high-tech features consumers want - at a price everyone can afford," said Jon Sienkiewicz, vice president of marketing, Minolta Corporation's Consumer Products Group. "Featuring a fast new USB 2.0 connection, high resolution scanning capability, 16-bit A/D conversion, user-friendly software, and new image correction options, the DiMAGE Scan Dual III is the ideal choice for the hobby photographer who wants to convert his library of negatives and slides into superior quality digital images."

The Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III's 16-bit A/D conversion and a 4.8 dynamic range precisely reproduce the rich variations in tone and color of an original film image. 16-bit A/D conversion is able to distinguish 65,536 tonal gradations for each color channel. The film scanner's dynamic range of 4.8 indicates the ability of the scanner to record the density range of the film. The Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III can reproduce all the fine tones in slide film from the dark shadows to the bright highlights. Multi-sample scanning further improves the scan data by reducing random noise.

Accurate color reproduction between the computer and its output devices, such as the monitor or printer, is absolutely necessary for high-quality image processing. The DiMAGE Scan Dual III color matching function can specify the color space of the scanned image as well as employ the monitor's ICC profile.

Because of film's inherent latitude and the differences between the densities and contrast of the cyan, magenta, and yellow layers, designing a film scanner can be a challenge. With the DiMAGE Scan Dual III Minolta uses state-of-the-art negative-to-positive conversion technology to ensure effortless digitization and reproduction of film images.

The DiMAGE Scan Dual III's point-AF function allows the scanner to be focused by simply clicking on the area of the image to be used to determine focus. Auto loading allows hand-free operation once the film holder is inserted into the scanner. Specific image-processing settings can be saved as a Job and reapplied to any image.

Batch processing large numbers of images is simplified and streamlined. The scanner's new Auto Dust Brush reduces the effect of fine dust particles that settle on film. The scanner's Custom Wizard automates the scanning process for multiple images - images can be selected and image processing and color matching can be applied. Custom Wizard settings can be saved and reused multiple times. And the DiMAGE Scan Dual III's USB 2.0 interface allows for the quick transfer of digitized image data. The scanner's hot swapping interface makes connecting it to a computer as easy as plugging in the scanner's USB cable.

The DiMAGE Scan Dual III features Minolta's new Pixel-Polish software setting which allows automated or custom corrections to be made to an image - custom corrections are made by selecting straightforward parameters in the window. The Easy Scan Utility simplifies the scanning procedure for those new to film scanning and image processing.

A wide range of image-processing controls gives users the tools they need to enhance or manipulate images. The variation palette makes adjusting color, brightness, contrast, and saturation easy by simply choosing the best image from a group of slightly corrected samples. These qualities can also be adjusted using palettes with sliders and input boxes. For advanced image processing, color and contrast can be adjusted using tone curves and histograms or calibrated by defining the white, gray, and black points within the image. And for creative effects, the hue, saturation, and lightness palette permits the colors in an image to be rotated and shifted within the color space.

The Minolta DiMAGE Scan Dual III will be available in November 2002 and is estimated to retail in the $300 price range.

*With optional APS Adapter

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.