Pricing and availability for the camera have yet to be announced, but it looks set to compete with consumer DSLR offerings from other manufacturers with a number of changes obviously having been made to reduce cost or provide differentiation from the higher-spec 7D. Burst depth decreases from 15 frames in the older model to five in the Maxxum 5D, and the LCD resolution is 115,000 pixels rather than the 7D's 207,000 pixels. The LCD is also rated as just a little bit tighter at 95%, rather than the 7D's 99% accuracy rating. One other significant change is that the USB connectivity complies with the lower-speed USB 1.1 specification, rather than the USB 2.0 connectivity of the Maxxum 7D.

In terms of dimensions, the Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D is almost 20mm narrower, 14mm shorter and 11mm shallower than the original Maxxum 7D, and body-only the camera is about seventy grams lighter - a fairly impressive achievement, given that the camera retains the in-body anti shake mechanism that debuted in the original 7D. As noted previously, we don't yet have pricing or availability information, but when we do you can expect to find the item on our news page. If pricing is competitive, the Maxxum 5D looks set to be an interesting contender in the increasingly hot marketplace for consumer digital SLRs...

Backgrounder

New Konica Minolta Digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) Camera: The Maxxum 5D

Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc.’s new Maxxum 5D is a high-performance interchangeable-lens digital SLR camera that inherits the revolutionary technology of its predecessor the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D.

Product Highlights

• Body-integral CCD-shift Anti-Shake Technology reduces blur caused by camera shake and supports all Maxxum AF lenses including the upcoming line of “DT” Lenses.
• 6.1-megapixel CCD and Konica Minolta’s original image processing technology CxProcess™ III renders images in sharp detail
• A large, 2.5-inch color LCD monitor provides clear image viewing and data display
• Comprehensive image adjustment and control for creative applications
• Easy and Intuitive Operation in a stylish, compact and lightweight package

Features

Built-in Anti-Shake Performance with All Maxxum System Lenses*1
The Maxxum 5D inherits the revolutionary technology of the Maxxum 7D – the world’s first*2 digital SLR with built-in Anti-Shake Technology and CCD Shift mechanism that is compatible with all Maxxum system lenses*1 including Konica Minolta’s soon to be introduced line of Digital Technology “DT” lenses.

This award winning Anti-Shake Technology was selected as “European Photo Innovation of the Year 2004 – 2005” by EISA*3 and the Maxxum 7D, which also features this technology, was chosen to receive the “Camera Grand Prix 2005” award by the Camera Press Club. This technology provides the equivalent compensation effect with a shutter speed 2 - 3 stops slower*4.

Konica Minolta’s Anti-Shake Technology makes it possible to reduce blur caused by camera shake, even when taking photos in dimly lit or twilight scenes, in natural light with a telephoto lens, as well as macro shots – without relying on a higher ISO setting or the aid of a flash or tripod. Anti-Shake responds quickly to both broad, slow-swaying motion of the camera body and the higher frequency shaking typical of camera shake caused by the photographer’s hands.

The Anti-shake Technology can be switched on or off via a dedicated switch on the camera’s back, and an Anti-shake indicator is displayed on the viewfinder to keep the user informed when it’s active.

Large CCD and Advanced Image Processing Technology
Integrating Konica Minolta’s advanced technologies for photo-imaging excellence, the Maxxum 5D boasts an advanced LSI (image processing engine) and CxProcess™ III technology designed to provide stunning, natural-looking images.

As Konica Minolta’s original image processing technology, CxProcess™ III optimizes four essential elements:

1. Sharpness to take full advantage of the advanced optical technologies incorporated into the lens, presenting rich detail and realism without losing the quality of defocused images,
2. Color reproduction to ensure that colors are rendered just as the human eye perceives them such as the subtle hues of natural blue, red, and skin tones,
3. Gradation reproduction to render both clearness and deep presentation of gradations for both shadows and highlights, and
4. Noise reduction to achieve a natural, impressive presentation of textured images.

Big, Bright 2.5-inch LCD with Navigation Display
Providing a better view for better photos, the Maxxum 5D incorporates a large, 2.5-inch LCD monitor that also works as a Navigation Display for camera settings. For even greater convenience, the display automatically switches from horizontal to vertical format when shooting in upright “portrait” format and lets users adjust the size of the on-screen text.

Comprehensive image adjustment and control for creative

1. Digital Subject Program Selector
   The Digital Subject Program Selector offers photographers five convenient options: portrait, sports, landscape, evening sunset view, and night view. Using the exposure mode dial, users simply select an appropriate option for their chosen scene, and the new Maxxum 5D automatically selects an appropriate exposure control, AF mode, and image-processing program. This function makes it quick and easy for anyone to take beautiful shots without the need for complicated settings.
2. Digital Effect Control
   Adding a step of creative flexibility above the Digital Subject Program Selector, the Digital Effect Control lets users select an option among ten scene types, edit the parameters to their preferences, and then store the settings. Once a scene is selected, the Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D automatically sets appropriate image processing and image quality parameters. The exposure can then be manually selected so photographers can customize the contrast and sharpness saturation parameters within five steps from the default values to create the exact look they want.
3. Color temperature setting:
   In addition to AWB (auto white balance), PWB (preset white balance), custom white balance and color temperature settings, the Maxxum 5D offers added creative freedom with CC (Color Compensation) filter effects and Color Temperature fine-tuning in 100K increments. And, the camera’s G9 (Green) to M9 (Magenta) range enables precise white balance adjustments for difficult lighting situations.
4. White-Balance Bracketing:
   Offering a new level of convenience and efficiency, this function lets photographers take a shot in differing color temperature settings with two options for their desired color temperature range. Based on the range, the Maxxum 5D records three frames per shutter sequence so users can manually select their favorite frame after the shot.
5. Zone Matching:
   An inherited feature of the acclaimed Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D, high-key and low-key tone capture extend CCD dynamic range and adjust tone curves to ensure precise reproduction of gradations and suppress noise in low-lighting shots. For example, using high-key mode to take wedding photos under direct sunlight, the fine details of a bride’s white flowers, gown, and train can be reproduced accurately. In comparison, using low-key mode, the texture of a black dress in a dark room can be captured in detail without noise interference.

Easy and Intuitive Operation

1. High-performance, high-speed autofocus (AF)
   The Maxxum 5D’s high-performance AF system offers exceptional accuracy with a central, cross hair type, 9-point and 8 line AF sensor array that enables high-precision Predictive Focus Control as well as high-speed Subject Tracking for accurately focusing on moving subjects – an indispensable asset in action and sports photography.
2. Smooth, Responsive Continuous Shooting
   The Maxxum 5D lets users capture up to 30 frames at a speed of approximately 3 frames per second (in Fine JPEG mode). The camera’s high recording speed enables users to continue shooting smoothly afterwards.
3. User-friendly dials and controls
   The Maxxum 5D offers a simple, user-friendly configuration of dials and controls that even beginner SLR camera users will quickly feel familiar with. Added functions provide users who are moving up from more basic models with intuitive control; for example, the exposure mode dial also operates the five options of the Digital Subject Program Selector, and an independent lever ensures quick and easy white balance control. Electronic menus display adjustable parameters to meet the demands of advanced photographers, and a menu call button simplifies menu navigation. Enhancing ease of use further still, operating procedures that use common keys have been standardized across functions/screens so that users can navigate intuitively without having to refer the instructions.
4. High-performance viewfinder
   A bright, clear optical viewfinder displays essential shooting parameters at the bottom of the frame, providing users with all the information they need to make creative adjustments quickly. It also incorporates a spherical acute matte focusing screen for accurate, bright critical focusing assessment. And, to accommodate the camera’s smaller design, the Maxxum 5D employs a newly developed forward-bend finder optical system and roof-mirror type of pentaprism.

Durable, Compact Body and High-Quality Texture
The Maxxum 5D enhances camera reliability through its strong build quality. The body is constructed using sturdy glass fiber plastic, making it lighter and smaller than the Maxxum 7D by about 22% in volume, while a functional rubber grip based on new ergonomic design research provides an ideal hand fit.

NOTES:
*1 With the camera’s AF macro-zoom 1x to 3x specialist lenses and Anti-Shake function turned off
*2 As an Interchangeable-lens digital SLR camera
*3 The European Imaging and Sound Association, publishing 50 major photography and AV magazines in 20 European countries
*4 The Anti-Shake technology correction effect varies with the shooting conditions and lens used

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Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D
General
Camera Type	SLR
Manufacturer	Konica Minolta
Model Number	Maxxum 5D
Dimensions	5.1 x 3.6 x 2.6" 130.5 x 92.5 x 66.5mm
Weight	590.0 g 20.6 oz
Image Capture
Sensor Type	APS-C CCD 6.30 megapixels (total) 6.10 megapixels (effective)
Filter Type	RGBG
Aspect Ratio	3:2
Image Dimensions	3008 x 2000 (6.0 megapixels) 2256 x 1496 (3.4 megapixels) 1504 x 1000 (1.5 megapixels)
Capture Speed	Continuous: 3.0 frames per second for 5 frames
Image Quality	4 levels
Image Preview / Review
Viewfinder	Yes, Fixed eye-level system with roof mirror type pentaprism 95% field of view
LCD	2.5", 115,000 pixels
Playback Zoom	5.0x max
Lens
Lens Type	Interchangeable Lens
Lens Mount	Minolta A-type bayonet
Image Stabilization	Yes
Focusing System	9-point TTL Phase Detection with AF assist lamp Manual Focus possible
Exposure
ISO Sensitivity	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
Shutter Speed	1/4000 - 30 second
Exposure Modes	Aperture, Shutter, Manual
Metering Modes	14-segment TTL multi, Center-weighted, Spot
Exposure Compensation	+/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White Balance	Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Manual
Internal Flash	Guide Number: 12 Modes: Fill Flash, Red-eye reduction, Rear Sync flash, Wireless / Remote off-camera flash, High-speed sync, Slow sync Range: 12 meters at ISO 100
Flash Exposure Compensation	+/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
Creative
Scene Modes	Portrait, Sports Action, Landscape, Sunset, Night Portrait
Self Timer	Yes, 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse	No
Storage
Recording Medium	CompactFlash Type 1, CompactFlash Type 2, Microdrive
File System	Complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File Format	CCD-RAW, RAW, JPEG (EXIF 2.21)
Connectivity
Video	Yes, NTSC / PAL switchable
Computer	USB 1.1
Power
Battery Type	Lithium Ion rechargeable
Battery Form Factor	Proprietary NP-400
Product Bundle
Software	DiMAGE Master Lite
Battery / Charger	Proprietary NP-400 Lithium Ion rechargeable battery
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant	Yes
PictBridge Compliant	Yes
Tripod Mount	Yes
Operating System Compatibility	Windows, MacOS
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