The recent announcement by Nikon that it was withdrawing from the film camera business has been topped by today's announcement from Konica Minolta that it's transferring its assets to Sony and withdrawing altogether from camera production. Here's part of the press release: Konica Minolta Announces Withdrawal Plan for Camera Business and Photo Business (Konica Minolta News Release) Konica Minolta has long been a leading company in photo imaging business covering wide range of imaging from input to output. In addition, we have provided inspiring products and services by fusing our unique technologies. In camera business, we have expanded picture-taking opportunities by developing innovative technologies such as the world’s first autofocus cameras. In 1962, our camera, well-accepted for its high reliability, boarded on the US’s first manned spaceship “Friendship 7.” Also, ever since introduction of the world’s first body-integral autofocus SLR camera, Maxxum/Dynax series, in 1985, SLR cameras have become more popular among picture-takers, and we have succeeded in selling 16 million units of interchangeable lenses since then. However, in today’s era of digital cameras, where image sensor technologies such as CCD is indispensable, it became difficult to timely provide competitive products even with our top optical, mechanical and electronics technologies. Read the rest ...