We've not heard much from Minolta since their EX-1500 diigcam, the camera which offered upgradable CCD's due to its removable lens portion (that never came to anything did it?). Today they announced an alliance with Konica in an attempt for both companies to gain ground on competitors such as Canon and Ricoh in the "digital equipment" sector (read: digital cameras). Watch this space...

Reuters News:

The tie-up was seen as an attempt to regain market share lost to industry rivals Canon Inc. and Ricoh Co. Ltd., considered leaders in the digital equipment sector, an area expected to see strong growth as Japan beefs up its IT muscle.

The deal will include joint development of products such as copiers and printers in a bid to cut costs at both companies and boost competitiveness, the firms said.

The news drove Konica's stock up 13.26 percent or 63 yen to 538, and lifted Minolta by 3.64 percent or 14 yen to finish at 399 on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Shares in Japanese camera manufacturers Minolta Co. Ltd. and Konica Corp. jumped on Monday after they joined hands in an alliance to develop information technology (IT) equipment.

The tie-up was seen as an attempt to regain market share lost to industry rivals Canon Inc. and Ricoh Co. Ltd., considered leaders in the digital equipment sector, an area expected to see strong growth as Japan beefs up its IT muscle.

The deal will include joint development of products such as copiers and printers in a bid to cut costs at both companies and boost competitiveness, the firms said.

The news drove Konica's stock up 13.26 percent or 63 yen to 538, and lifted Minolta by 3.64 percent or 14 yen to finish at 399 on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.