Konica Minolta
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese manufacturer of office equipment, medical imaging
, graphic imaging, optical devices, and measuring instrument
s. It is headquartered in the Marunouchi Center Building in Marunouchi
, Chiyoda
, Tokyo
, with a Kansai
office in Nishi-ku
, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture
. Its United States subsidiary is headquartered in Ramsey
, New Jersey
.
and Minolta
, announced on January 7, 2003 with the Corporate Structure completing the re-organization in October 2003. Different group companies, such as the operations in the headquarters and national operating companies began the process around the same time, however the exact dates vary for each group company.
Konica Minolta uses a "Globe Mark" logo that is similar, however not identical to the logo of the former Minolta company. It also uses the same corporate slogan as the former Minolta company - "The Essentials of Imaging".
On January 19, 2006 the company announced that it was quitting the camera business due to high financial losses. SLR
camera service operations were handed over to Sony
starting on March 31, 2006 and Sony has continued development of cameras that are compatible with Minolta autofocus lenses. Originally, in the negotiations, Konica Minolta wanted a cooperation with Sony in camera equipment production rather than a sell-out deal, but Sony vehemently refused saying that it would either acquire everything or leave everything that has to do with the camera equipment sector of KM. Subsequently, Konica Minolta withdrew from the photo business on September 30, 2006. 3,700 employees were laid off.
Konica Minolta closed down their photo imaging division in March 2007. The color film, color paper, photo chemical and digital mini-lab machine divisions have ceased operations. Dai Nippon Printing purchased Konica's Odawara factory, with plans to continue to produce paper under Dai Nippon's brand. Seapac acquired the Konica chemical factory.
Konica expanded its business precensce and now even extends its business as far as South Africa. The South African Konica Minolta Business Systems unit is a fully owned subsidiary of the Bidvest group and headed up by Alan Griffiths.
Minolta had been a competitor in the 35 mm SLR market since the development of the manual-focus (MF) SRT and other models in the mid-1960s. Minolta positioned most of its cameras to compete in the amateur market, though it did produce a very high quality MF SLR in the XD-11. Minolta's last MF SLR cameras were the X370 and X700. Shanghai Optical Co. (Seagull) purchased tools and production plant from Minolta at different times, making some X300 series for Minolta branding, and continues to release MD mount film SLRs compatible with the old system under the Seagull name.
single-lens reflex camera
s, variously named "Minolta Maxxum" in North America, "Minolta Dynax" in Europe, and "Minolta Alpha" in Japan and the rest of Asia. This range was introduced in 1985 with the Minolta Maxxum 7000
, and culminated with the professional (1997) later made in a titanium body (9Ti) and technically advanced 7 (1999). The final Minolta 35 mm SLR AF cameras were the Maxxum 50 and 70 (Dynax 40 and 60), built in China.
market. Their Dimage line (originally written as DiMAGE) included digital cameras and imaging software as well as film scanners.
They created a new category of "SLR-like" cameras with the introduction of the Dimâge 5. This camera mixed many of the features of a traditional SLR camera with the special abilities of a digital camera. It had a mechanical zoom ring and electronic focus ring on the lens barrel, it used an electronic viewfinder (EVF) showing 100 per cent of the lens view, it added many high level features such as a histogram
and made the cameras TTL-compatible with Minolta's final generation of flashes for film SLRs. The controls were designed to be used by people familiar with SLR cameras. However, the lens was not interchangeable, and the cameras not a true alternative to an SLR camera. The model 5 had a 1/1.8" sensor with 5 megapixels, and the fixed zoom was equal to a 35–250 mm (relative to 24×36mm format). The models 7, later 7Hi and A1 had 2/3" 6 megapixel sensors and the lens then achieved 28–200 mm equivalent coverage, for which it was designed. The A2 and A200 increased the sensor resolution to 8 megapixels and these models remain popular for semi-professional use as 'glove box' or travel standbys.
The A1/A2/A200 integrated a sensor-based, piezoelectrically actuated anti-camera-shake system. Before the closure of the Photo Imaging unit, the Dimâge lineup included the long-zoom Z line, the E/G lines (the G series finally incorporating former Konica models), the thin/light X line, and the advanced A line.
The DiMAGE G500 was a five megapixel compact digital camera manufactured by Konica Minolta in 2003. It comes in a stainless steel
case, 3x zoom lens
with a retractable barrel, and dual Secure Digital
and MagicGate
card slots, the camera has a 1.3-second startup time.
APS film lenses and again used multiple CCDs - this time two 1.5MP 1/2" sensors stitched to give a 2.7MP output image.
It wasn't until late 2004 (after the merger with Konica) that they launched the Dynax/Maxxum/α 7, a digital SLR based on the very successful Dynax/Maxxum 7 35 mm SLR body. The unique feature of this camera is that it features an in-body Anti-Shake system to compensate for camera shake. However, by 2004 Canon and Nikon had a whole range of digital SLR cameras and many serious photographers had already switched, thus leading Konica Minolta to withdraw from the market and transfer assets to Sony. The only two Konica Minolta digital SLRs to reach production before the company's withdrawal were the Dynax/Maxxum 7D
and the Dynax/Maxxum 5D
(which is an entry-level model that shared the 7D's sensor and Anti-Shake technology).
In early 2006 Sony announced its Sony α (Alpha) line of digital SLRs, (based on Konica Minolta technology) and stated they were scheduled to launch production in the summer of 2006. The Sony Alpha 100, announced on June 6, 2006, is generally agreed to have been a Konica Minolta design based on the 5D with minimal Sony input. The range of 21 Sony lenses announced at that time also included only revisions of earlier Minolta designs, or models which had been in development, rebadged and with minor cosmetic changes. The Sony Alpha range has remained compatible with all Minolta AF system lenses, and most accessories, from 1985 onwards.
In 2000 Minolta announced the introduction of Super Sonic Motor (SSM) focusing to a limited number of new lenses. This dispensed with a mechanical drive between camera and lens, but only SLRs made from 1999 onwards (the Dynax/Maxxum 7 and later) were compatible, the professional Dynax 9 requiring a factory upgrade to operate. Sony announced a program in 2008 to fit more future lenses with SSM and these designs may, therefore, not be compatible with 1985–1999 SLR bodies.
The first Konica Minolta badged products were almost entirely "Konica" or "Minolta" products however, as they were the next generation products being produced by both companies before the merger. These products included MFPs
such as the Konica Minolta bizhub C350 (a "Minolta" design, also badged as the Konica 8022 and Minolta CF2203), and Konica Minolta 7235 (A "Konica" design).
Successive models included greater integration between the two sets of technologies, and current products such as the bizhub C451 (pictured below in this article) contain many technologies from both histories. Some products such as the bizhub 501 are more noticeably an engine design from one company rather the other, however the system itself, including operation, features and RIP technologies are in the "new style" that holds little legacy from either former company.
As with many MFP manufacturers, some of the market segments are not produced directly by the manufacturer. In Konica Minolta's case, many smaller SOHO MFP products (such as the bizhub 130f, wearing Minebea
marks in hardware and in software drivers) are produced by third parties. By the same token, many other companies also re-badge Konica Minolta products under OEM agreements.
company were limited to "printer models" of MFP
models, or re-badged printers from other manufacturers, while the printer operations of the former Minolta
company were strong since the purchase of QMS (completed in 2000 after increasing influence and shareholding by Minolta), printer operations were initially not affected greatly by the Konica Minolta merger.
Due to the increased complexity of both MFP
and printer devices, Konica Minolta increased technology sharing between the two lines of products. In many regions, this has led to the integration of the Printer products company in to the Business equipment products company.
s for evolving office environments focused on colour, digitalisation, high-speed and networking.
Location of head office: Tokyo, Number of employees: Approx. 19,600
Worldwide headquarters are also located in: Germany (Konica Minolta Europe), USA (Konica Minolta US), Australia (Konica Minolta Australia) and China (Konica Minolta China). These headquarters are responsible for sales and support of the Konica Minolta companies in each country within their region, including distributors and the dealer networks.
Main products: MFP
s, Copiers, printers
, facsimile machines, microfilm systems and related supplies.
Konica Minolta Business Technologies is a member of The Linux Foundation
Pursuing advanced imaging markets Konica Minolta's digital multi-functional peripherals
(MFPs
), branded the "bizhub" series, are equipped with multiple functions (copying, printing, faxing, scanning), and can integrate into any corporate network environments. They allow users to consolidate the administration of office equipment connected to a network by using a series of network management software programs and even to manage and share both scanned data and computer-generated data.
and EXIFII Print Order Management technology, via USB. The Magicolor series covers from entry level home/office models like the 2430s successors, to large print stations for corporate environments.
As of May 2007 Printing Solutions (Europe) business was merged with Konica Minolta Business Solutions (Europe) as part of radical reforms within the company.
.
Konica Minolta Graphic Imaging USA, Inc. is located in Grand Rapids, MI and is a manufacturer and distributor of both conventional and digital graphic arts supplies including: analog and digital films, graphics arts papers, conventional and CTP printing plates, processing chemicals, film and plate processors, imagesetters, platesetters, digital color proofers and software. The company serves the printing and publishing, corporate communications and newspaper industries from its manufacturing headquarters in Grand Rapids, MI.
With headquarters in Macquarie Park, just north of the Sydney CBD, Konica Minolta Business Solutions Australia has offices in every capital city.
Medical imaging
Medical imaging is the technique and process used to create images of the human body for clinical purposes or medical science...
, graphic imaging, optical devices, and measuring instrument
Measuring instrument
In the physical sciences, quality assurance, and engineering, measurement is the activity of obtaining and comparing physical quantities of real-world objects and events. Established standard objects and events are used as units, and the process of measurement gives a number relating the item...
s. It is headquartered in the Marunouchi Center Building in Marunouchi
Marunouchi
Marunouchi is a commercial district of Tokyo located in Chiyoda between Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace. The name, meaning "inside the circle", derives from its location within the palace's outer moat...
, Chiyoda
Chiyoda, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards in central Tokyo, Japan. In English, it is called Chiyoda ward. As of October 2007, the ward has an estimated population of 45,543 and a population density of 3,912 people per km², making it by far the least populated of the special wards...
, Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, with a Kansai
Kansai
The or the lies in the southern-central region of Japan's main island Honshū. The region includes the prefectures of Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo, and Shiga. Depending on who makes the distinction, Fukui, Tokushima and even Tottori Prefecture are also included...
office in Nishi-ku
Nishi-ku, Osaka
is one of 24 wards of Osaka, Japan. It is in the west of central Osaka , and is generally flat. 80% of the area was destroyed by bombing in World War II, and was not regenerated until the mid 1960s....
, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture
Osaka Prefecture
is a prefecture located in the Kansai region on Honshū, the main island of Japan. The capital is the city of Osaka. It is the center of Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto area.- History :...
. Its United States subsidiary is headquartered in Ramsey
Ramsey, New Jersey
Ramsey is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. It is a suburb of New York City, located northwest of Midtown Manhattan. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 14,473....
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
.
Company history
Konica Minolta was formed by a merger between Japanese imaging firms KonicaKonica
was a Japanese manufacturer of, among other products, film, film cameras, camera accessories, photographic and photo-processing equipment, photocopiers, fax machines and laser printers.- History :...
and Minolta
Minolta
Minolta Co., Ltd. was a Japanese worldwide manufacturer of cameras, camera accessories, photocopiers, fax machines, and laser printers. Minolta was founded in Osaka, Japan, in 1928 as . It is perhaps best known for making the first integrated autofocus 35mm SLR camera system...
, announced on January 7, 2003 with the Corporate Structure completing the re-organization in October 2003. Different group companies, such as the operations in the headquarters and national operating companies began the process around the same time, however the exact dates vary for each group company.
Konica Minolta uses a "Globe Mark" logo that is similar, however not identical to the logo of the former Minolta company. It also uses the same corporate slogan as the former Minolta company - "The Essentials of Imaging".
On January 19, 2006 the company announced that it was quitting the camera business due to high financial losses. SLR
Single-lens reflex camera
A single-lens reflex camera is a camera that typically uses a semi-automatic moving mirror system that permits the photographer to see exactly what will be captured by the film or digital imaging system, as opposed to pre-SLR cameras where the view through the viewfinder could be significantly...
camera service operations were handed over to Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
starting on March 31, 2006 and Sony has continued development of cameras that are compatible with Minolta autofocus lenses. Originally, in the negotiations, Konica Minolta wanted a cooperation with Sony in camera equipment production rather than a sell-out deal, but Sony vehemently refused saying that it would either acquire everything or leave everything that has to do with the camera equipment sector of KM. Subsequently, Konica Minolta withdrew from the photo business on September 30, 2006. 3,700 employees were laid off.
Konica Minolta closed down their photo imaging division in March 2007. The color film, color paper, photo chemical and digital mini-lab machine divisions have ceased operations. Dai Nippon Printing purchased Konica's Odawara factory, with plans to continue to produce paper under Dai Nippon's brand. Seapac acquired the Konica chemical factory.
Konica expanded its business precensce and now even extends its business as far as South Africa. The South African Konica Minolta Business Systems unit is a fully owned subsidiary of the Bidvest group and headed up by Alan Griffiths.
Manual focus 35mm film SLRs
Autofocus 35mm film SLRs
Until the sale of Konica Minolta's Photo Imaging unit to Sony in 2006, Konica Minolta produced the former Minolta range of 35 mm autofocusAutofocus
An autofocus optical system uses a sensor, a control system and a motor to focus fully automatic or on a manually selected point or area. An electronic rangefinder has a display instead of the motor; the adjustment of the optical system has to be done manually until indication...
single-lens reflex camera
Camera
A camera is a device that records and stores images. These images may be still photographs or moving images such as videos or movies. The term camera comes from the camera obscura , an early mechanism for projecting images...
s, variously named "Minolta Maxxum" in North America, "Minolta Dynax" in Europe, and "Minolta Alpha" in Japan and the rest of Asia. This range was introduced in 1985 with the Minolta Maxxum 7000
Minolta Maxxum 7000
The Minolta MAXXUM 7000 35mm SLR camera was introduced in 1985. It marked a significant milestone in photography as it was the first camera to feature both integrated autofocus and motorised film advance, the standard configuration for later amateur and professional single lens reflex...
, and culminated with the professional (1997) later made in a titanium body (9Ti) and technically advanced 7 (1999). The final Minolta 35 mm SLR AF cameras were the Maxxum 50 and 70 (Dynax 40 and 60), built in China.
Digital cameras
Until recently, Konica Minolta had a line of digital point and shoot cameras to compete in the digital photographyDigital photography
Digital photography is a form of photography that uses an array of light sensitive sensors to capture the image focused by the lens, as opposed to an exposure on light sensitive film...
market. Their Dimage line (originally written as DiMAGE) included digital cameras and imaging software as well as film scanners.
They created a new category of "SLR-like" cameras with the introduction of the Dimâge 5. This camera mixed many of the features of a traditional SLR camera with the special abilities of a digital camera. It had a mechanical zoom ring and electronic focus ring on the lens barrel, it used an electronic viewfinder (EVF) showing 100 per cent of the lens view, it added many high level features such as a histogram
Histogram
In statistics, a histogram is a graphical representation showing a visual impression of the distribution of data. It is an estimate of the probability distribution of a continuous variable and was first introduced by Karl Pearson...
and made the cameras TTL-compatible with Minolta's final generation of flashes for film SLRs. The controls were designed to be used by people familiar with SLR cameras. However, the lens was not interchangeable, and the cameras not a true alternative to an SLR camera. The model 5 had a 1/1.8" sensor with 5 megapixels, and the fixed zoom was equal to a 35–250 mm (relative to 24×36mm format). The models 7, later 7Hi and A1 had 2/3" 6 megapixel sensors and the lens then achieved 28–200 mm equivalent coverage, for which it was designed. The A2 and A200 increased the sensor resolution to 8 megapixels and these models remain popular for semi-professional use as 'glove box' or travel standbys.
The A1/A2/A200 integrated a sensor-based, piezoelectrically actuated anti-camera-shake system. Before the closure of the Photo Imaging unit, the Dimâge lineup included the long-zoom Z line, the E/G lines (the G series finally incorporating former Konica models), the thin/light X line, and the advanced A line.
The DiMAGE G500 was a five megapixel compact digital camera manufactured by Konica Minolta in 2003. It comes in a stainless steel
Stainless steel
In metallurgy, stainless steel, also known as inox steel or inox from French "inoxydable", is defined as a steel alloy with a minimum of 10.5 or 11% chromium content by mass....
case, 3x zoom lens
Zoom lens
A zoom lens is a mechanical assembly of lens elements for which the focal length can be varied, as opposed to a fixed focal length lens...
with a retractable barrel, and dual Secure Digital
Secure Digital
Secure Digital is a non-volatile memory card format developed by the SD Card Association for use in portable devices. The SD technology is used by more than 400 brands across dozens of product categories and more than 8,000 models, and is considered the de-facto industry standard.Secure Digital...
and MagicGate
MagicGate
MagicGate is a copy-protection technology introduced by Sony in 1999 as part of the Secure Digital Music Initiative . It works by encrypting the content on the device and using MagicGate chips in both the storage device and the reader to enforce control over how files are copied.MagicGate...
card slots, the camera has a 1.3-second startup time.
Digital SLRs
Minolta made some early forays into digital SLRs with the RD-175 in 1995 and the RD-3000 in 1999 but were the last of the large camera manufacturers to launch a successful digital SLR camera using a current 35 mm AF mount in late 2004. The RD-175 was based on the Maxxum/Dynax 505si 35 mm film SLR and used three different 1/2" CCD image sensors - two for green and one for red and blue - supplied with images by a light splitting mechanism using prisms mounted behind the lens. The RD-3000 used VectisMinolta Vectis
The Minolta Vectis S series comprises two models of analogue SLR cameras made by Minolta, the flagship model Vectis S-1 and the Vectis S-100...
APS film lenses and again used multiple CCDs - this time two 1.5MP 1/2" sensors stitched to give a 2.7MP output image.
It wasn't until late 2004 (after the merger with Konica) that they launched the Dynax/Maxxum/α 7, a digital SLR based on the very successful Dynax/Maxxum 7 35 mm SLR body. The unique feature of this camera is that it features an in-body Anti-Shake system to compensate for camera shake. However, by 2004 Canon and Nikon had a whole range of digital SLR cameras and many serious photographers had already switched, thus leading Konica Minolta to withdraw from the market and transfer assets to Sony. The only two Konica Minolta digital SLRs to reach production before the company's withdrawal were the Dynax/Maxxum 7D
Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D
The Maxxum 7D, labelled Dynax 7D in Europe/Hong Kong and α-7 Digital in Japan and officially named "DG-7D", is a 6.1 megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera, or dSLR, produced by Konica Minolta...
and the Dynax/Maxxum 5D
Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D
The Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D was a digital single-lens reflex camera introduced by Konica Minolta in 2005.The camera has a sensor-shifting image stabilization feature inherited from the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D....
(which is an entry-level model that shared the 7D's sensor and Anti-Shake technology).
In early 2006 Sony announced its Sony α (Alpha) line of digital SLRs, (based on Konica Minolta technology) and stated they were scheduled to launch production in the summer of 2006. The Sony Alpha 100, announced on June 6, 2006, is generally agreed to have been a Konica Minolta design based on the 5D with minimal Sony input. The range of 21 Sony lenses announced at that time also included only revisions of earlier Minolta designs, or models which had been in development, rebadged and with minor cosmetic changes. The Sony Alpha range has remained compatible with all Minolta AF system lenses, and most accessories, from 1985 onwards.
In 2000 Minolta announced the introduction of Super Sonic Motor (SSM) focusing to a limited number of new lenses. This dispensed with a mechanical drive between camera and lens, but only SLRs made from 1999 onwards (the Dynax/Maxxum 7 and later) were compatible, the professional Dynax 9 requiring a factory upgrade to operate. Sony announced a program in 2008 to fit more future lenses with SSM and these designs may, therefore, not be compatible with 1985–1999 SLR bodies.
Multifunctional Devices
For some time after the merger between Konica and Minolta, both product lines continued to be sold, while research and development efforts were underway to create new products.The first Konica Minolta badged products were almost entirely "Konica" or "Minolta" products however, as they were the next generation products being produced by both companies before the merger. These products included MFPs
Multifunction printer
An MFP , multifunctional, all-in-one , or Multifunction Device , is an office machine which incorporates the functionality of multiple devices in one, so as to have a smaller footprint in a home or small business setting , or to provide centralized document...
such as the Konica Minolta bizhub C350 (a "Minolta" design, also badged as the Konica 8022 and Minolta CF2203), and Konica Minolta 7235 (A "Konica" design).
Successive models included greater integration between the two sets of technologies, and current products such as the bizhub C451 (pictured below in this article) contain many technologies from both histories. Some products such as the bizhub 501 are more noticeably an engine design from one company rather the other, however the system itself, including operation, features and RIP technologies are in the "new style" that holds little legacy from either former company.
As with many MFP manufacturers, some of the market segments are not produced directly by the manufacturer. In Konica Minolta's case, many smaller SOHO MFP products (such as the bizhub 130f, wearing Minebea
Minebea
or NMB is a Japanese multinational corporation and a major producer of machinery components and electronics devices. In 2006, it had consolidated net sales of over 300 billion yen. Asia accounts for 80% of Minebea's production and 50% of its sales...
marks in hardware and in software drivers) are produced by third parties. By the same token, many other companies also re-badge Konica Minolta products under OEM agreements.
Printers
As the printer operations of the former KonicaKonica
was a Japanese manufacturer of, among other products, film, film cameras, camera accessories, photographic and photo-processing equipment, photocopiers, fax machines and laser printers.- History :...
company were limited to "printer models" of MFP
Multifunction printer
An MFP , multifunctional, all-in-one , or Multifunction Device , is an office machine which incorporates the functionality of multiple devices in one, so as to have a smaller footprint in a home or small business setting , or to provide centralized document...
models, or re-badged printers from other manufacturers, while the printer operations of the former Minolta
Minolta
Minolta Co., Ltd. was a Japanese worldwide manufacturer of cameras, camera accessories, photocopiers, fax machines, and laser printers. Minolta was founded in Osaka, Japan, in 1928 as . It is perhaps best known for making the first integrated autofocus 35mm SLR camera system...
company were strong since the purchase of QMS (completed in 2000 after increasing influence and shareholding by Minolta), printer operations were initially not affected greatly by the Konica Minolta merger.
Due to the increased complexity of both MFP
Multifunction printer
An MFP , multifunctional, all-in-one , or Multifunction Device , is an office machine which incorporates the functionality of multiple devices in one, so as to have a smaller footprint in a home or small business setting , or to provide centralized document...
and printer devices, Konica Minolta increased technology sharing between the two lines of products. In many regions, this has led to the integration of the Printer products company in to the Business equipment products company.
Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
Offering document solutionSolution
In chemistry, a solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of only one phase. In such a mixture, a solute is dissolved in another substance, known as a solvent. The solvent does the dissolving.- Types of solutions :...
s for evolving office environments focused on colour, digitalisation, high-speed and networking.
Location of head office: Tokyo, Number of employees: Approx. 19,600
Worldwide headquarters are also located in: Germany (Konica Minolta Europe), USA (Konica Minolta US), Australia (Konica Minolta Australia) and China (Konica Minolta China). These headquarters are responsible for sales and support of the Konica Minolta companies in each country within their region, including distributors and the dealer networks.
Main products: MFP
Multifunction printer
An MFP , multifunctional, all-in-one , or Multifunction Device , is an office machine which incorporates the functionality of multiple devices in one, so as to have a smaller footprint in a home or small business setting , or to provide centralized document...
s, Copiers, printers
Computer printer
In computing, a printer is a peripheral which produces a text or graphics of documents stored in electronic form, usually on physical print media such as paper or transparencies. Many printers are primarily used as local peripherals, and are attached by a printer cable or, in most new printers, a...
, facsimile machines, microfilm systems and related supplies.
Konica Minolta Business Technologies is a member of The Linux Foundation
Multi-functional peripherals (MFPs)
Multifunction printer
An MFP , multifunctional, all-in-one , or Multifunction Device , is an office machine which incorporates the functionality of multiple devices in one, so as to have a smaller footprint in a home or small business setting , or to provide centralized document...
(MFPs
Multifunction printer
An MFP , multifunctional, all-in-one , or Multifunction Device , is an office machine which incorporates the functionality of multiple devices in one, so as to have a smaller footprint in a home or small business setting , or to provide centralized document...
), branded the "bizhub" series, are equipped with multiple functions (copying, printing, faxing, scanning), and can integrate into any corporate network environments. They allow users to consolidate the administration of office equipment connected to a network by using a series of network management software programs and even to manage and share both scanned data and computer-generated data.
Konica Minolta Printing Solutions
Advanced generation of compact, lightweight and high-performance color laser printers. The market for color laser printers continues to expand, fuelled by the rapid shift of business documents from monochrome to color. Konica Minolta's color laser printers - branded the "Magicolor" series and using toner technology inherited from QMS/Qume include what was then the world's smallest and lightest color laser printer with 2400 dpi photographic quality, the Magicolor 2430DL of 2005. This printer also offered direct output from digital cameras using PictBridgePictBridge
PictBridge is an industry standard introduced in 2003 from the Camera & Imaging Products Association for direct printing. It allows images to be printed directly from digital cameras to a printer, without having to connect the camera to a computer. Its formal name is . CIPA DC-001-2003 Rev...
and EXIFII Print Order Management technology, via USB. The Magicolor series covers from entry level home/office models like the 2430s successors, to large print stations for corporate environments.
As of May 2007 Printing Solutions (Europe) business was merged with Konica Minolta Business Solutions (Europe) as part of radical reforms within the company.
Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
KONICA MINOLTA OPTO, INC. has been developing optical components, units, and systems for various application, and has been supplying to the many customers in the world.Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
Manufacturing, sale, and related services of film and processing equipment for medical and graphic imaging. Konica Minolta Opens Software Development Center in India through Partnership Agreement with HCL TechnologiesHCL Technologies
HCL Technologies Limited is a leading global IT services company headquartered in Noida, India. It is primarily engaged in providing a range of software services, business process outsourcing and infrastructure services. HCL Technologies is fourth largest IT company in India and is ranked 48 in...
.
Konica Minolta Graphic Imaging USA, Inc. is located in Grand Rapids, MI and is a manufacturer and distributor of both conventional and digital graphic arts supplies including: analog and digital films, graphics arts papers, conventional and CTP printing plates, processing chemicals, film and plate processors, imagesetters, platesetters, digital color proofers and software. The company serves the printing and publishing, corporate communications and newspaper industries from its manufacturing headquarters in Grand Rapids, MI.
Konica Minolta Sensing, Inc.
Konica Minolta Sensing offer products, software, and services utilizing light control and measurement technology within four main product areas: Colour Measurement, Display Measurement, 3D measurement and Medical Measurement.- Color Measurement: Spectrophotometers and tristimulus colorimeters (Chroma Meters) for measuring reflected and transmitted color of objects. These are used in industrial fields and other areas for color quality control, grading by color, and CCM applications on a wide variety of subjects, including automotive parts, paint, plastic, textiles, construction materials and foods.
- Spectroscopy: Spectroscopy equipment for laboratory and scientific work across the uv/visable/nir spectrum. The product portfolio is a system of modular components and accessories that allow a cost effective high quality solution to the researcher.
- Display Measurement: Display colour analysers, spectral colorimeters, and spectral radiometers for testing display performance and quality, examining and adjusting white balance and contrast, and precisely measuring display chroma, brightness and balance. Subjects include various types of TVs and computer displays (plasma, LCD), as well as other displays (mobile phones, digital cameras, car navigation equipment).
- 3D Measurement: 3D digitizers scan three-dimensional objects and import the 3D data to computers. The data can be used for medical applications, academic research, 3D archiving, archeological studies, and computer graphics production, as well as for industrial applications such as reverse engineering, design verification, and quality inspection.
- Medical Measurement: Products for non-invasive measurements of physiological values. Products include a pulse oximeter which determines oxygen saturation in the blood and a compact jaundice meter that can test newborn babies for jaundice without taking blood samples.
Sponsorship
- WRU Challenge CupWRU Challenge CupThe WRU Challenge Cup , or its full name of the Welsh Rugby Union Challenge Cup, is Wales' premier knockout rugby union competition and is organised by the Welsh Rugby Union....
(2003–2008) - MotoGP: Makoto TamadaMakoto Tamadais a Japanese professional motorcycle racer. He is one of the few riders to win races in both MotoGP and Superbike World Championship. For he will ride for the Paul Bird Kawasaki Corse team in the Superbike World Championship.-Early years:After a junior career in minibikes, he won a regional 250cc...
(2005–2006), Shinya NakanoShinya Nakanois a retired Japanese Grand Prix motorcycle road racer and Superbike rider. He is not related to the former Formula One racer Shinji Nakano.-Early years:...
(2007) - Gator BowlGator BowlThe Gator Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. Held continuously since 1946, it is the sixth oldest college bowl, as well as the first one ever televised nationally...
(2008–present) - Asian Football ConfederationAsian Football ConfederationThe Asian Football Confederation is the governing body of association football in Asia. It has 46 member countries, mostly located on the Asian continent. However, due to the disputed boundary of Europe and Asia, nations such as Russia and Turkey which are located mostly in geographic Asia are...
(2004–present)
Konica Minolta in Australia
Konica Minolta Business Solutions Australia Pty Ltd offers a broad range of stuff for document scanning, in-house printing, copying, faxing and electronic archiving and distribution. Konica Minolta also offers desktop laser printers and business software.With headquarters in Macquarie Park, just north of the Sydney CBD, Konica Minolta Business Solutions Australia has offices in every capital city.
Highlights of history
- 2009 Australian Head Office moves to a brand new building, Konica Minolta House, opened by Hon Maxine McKew MP 23 October 2009.
- 2007 Formed strategic alliance with the General Electric Company (GE) to develop and commercialize OLED for lighting applications.
- 2006 Announced withdrawal of camera and photo business
- 2005 Obtains first Japan Eco Mark in the newly established toner cartridge field
- 2004 Releases print-on-demand machines bizhub PRO 1050 for production print
- 2003 Launched first hi-speed 31 ppm colour machine utilising 'new' polymerized toner
- 2003 Konica Minolta Holdings Inc. established
- 2001 World's first polymerized toner
- 1996 World's first digital multifunction machine
- 1991 World's first three-colour combination copier and fax
- 1987 World's first single pass two-colour copier
- 1983 World's first copier with zoom magnification
- 1975 World's first copier to use latent image transfer
- 1962 Hi-Matic camera used by astronaut John Glenn on Friendship 7
- 1946 World's first camera with a coated lens
- 1937 World's first double lens reflex camera
- 1873 Company begins selling photographic materials in Japan
General references
- Dynax 4/Dynax 3/Maxxum 4 Instruction Manual
- Maxxum 5D Brochure
- Robert E. Mayer, Minolta Classic Cameras (a Magic Lantern Guide)
- Konica Minolta Corporate Profile 2005