Minox drops 10.1 megapixel update to the DC8122, the DC1022

While it's not like Minox has exactly cracked the upper echelon of camera brands, the German company has been pumping out solid shooters for a while now (and some, well, not-so-solid). The DC1022, announced today, is based on the well-received DC8122, and retains most of the same basic specs while updating the CCD to 10.1 megapixels and reducing the thickness to an even 1-inch. Other than that, you're basically looking at the 8122: 2.8-inch LCD, 6x optical zoom, 0.8-inch macro ability, digital image stabilization, VGA video, and 32MB of built-in memory, along with the obligatory SD slot. No info on pricing or expected availability, but we've ended every other Minox post with a prediction of "cheap" and we haven't been wrong yet.

[Martin Trautmann @ Apr 20th 2007 4:43AM]

I doubt that Minox builds those cameras any longer. Did they build ANY digital camera at all?

Usually Minox is one of the many labels found on cameras build in Asia, which are sold as Vivitar, Rollei or even Pentax, Minolta etc.

Check e.g. http://www.premierimage.com.tw and have a look at the Premier DS-A650

http://www.premierimage.pl/images/doc_41_JPG_m512doc_41_0_DS-A650_front.jpg

[marvin the martian @ Apr 20th 2007 9:05AM]

Once again, I ask that you find out exactly who Minox is before you dismiss the brand as 'cheap'. They are a camera maker on par with Leica, Rollei, Zeiss, Hasselblad, etc., and were making cameras LONG before you were even a gleam in your mother's eye. These digicams are rebrands, yes, but so are a lot of manufacturers.

A friend of the family has an older model Minox digicam, and I wouldn't call it 'cheap'. Metal construction, fairly heavy, and takes great photos. Sorry it doesn't say "Canon" Mr. "I shoot the same thing as everyone else" Engadget.

How can you say "we haven't been wrong yet" when you don't actually TRY the camera? Dismissing the camera based on a picture and a spec sheet is BAD, BAD journalism.

I've grown weary of electronics junkies thinking they know photography just because cameras are now 'digital'. Tell me, who was Edward Weston?

[greggie @ May 8th 2007 11:52PM]

"They are a camera maker on par with Leica, Rollei, Zeiss, Hasselblad, etc., and were making cameras LONG before you were even a gleam in your mother's eye. These digicams are rebrands, yes, but so are a lot of manufacturers. "

Yes, they were were all great large, medium and 35mm format mfg's - the very best! However, they have NOT carried that forward into the digital age. Leica = Panasonic, Minox = Vivitar, etc.

It's important for consumers to be aware that they are NOT buying a designed, engineered nor manufactured German camera. Indeed, these companies remain in the world of film and simply paste their names on digital cameras for a few extra dollars of profit.

Brand loyalty is a partnership that both consumer and manufacturer must participate in. These mfg's do not, but still expect the consumer to "participate" by chipping bigger $$$'s for another company's product.

Why anyone would remain loyal to a company who particpates in this manner is simply blinded by reminisces of days gone-bye.