[Leica] Leica IS going digital

[Summicron1@aol.com]

Hey you guys, look what just showed up on the Leica web site:



Tokyo, July 24, 2001  Leica Camera AG of Solms, Germany, and Matsushita 
Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. of Osaka, Japan, better known for its 
Panasonic brand products, today announced that the two companies have 
agreed to collaborate in the rapidly expanding global market of digital 
still cameras (DSCs). The two companies plan to develop and market new 
DSCs under both the Panasonic and Leica brand names. In the design and 
development process the two companies will work together by integrating 
each others strong expertise  the world-renowned optical technology of 
Leica with the advanced digital AV (audio video) technology of 
Panasonic.
In the basic agreement that was signed today, both companies agree:
__ To jointly develop and produce certain digital still cameras for the 
Panasonic and Leica brand. These multiple new DSC models will be 
presented starting in autumn 2001.
__ To use optical lens units of Leica in certain digital still cameras 
of the Panasonic brand.
Leica has been a world-wide renowned manufacturer in the market for 
high-end photographic cameras and lenses with long-established high 
quality image. In view of the rapidly growing electronic imaging 
market, we expect that this collaboration with Matsushita, as one of the 
worlds leading companies in consumer electronics, will create the 
finest blend of craftsmanship of both optical and digital technology, 
said Leica CEO, Hanns-Peter Cohn. 
The strategic aim is to create 25 % of its total turnover with jointly 
manufactured digital cameras within 3 years.
Collaboration between the two companies has already proven successful 
with the Panasonic DV format camcorders. The Panasonic NV-MX3000, 
featuring the advanced Leica Dicomar Lens unit first introduced in 
August last year, has garnered a high reputation among AV aficionados.
Collaborating with Leica Camera makes good business sense for us as we 
pursue the highest possible picture quality for our new digital still 
cameras, stated Kazuo Toda, Senior Managing Director at Matsushita 
Electric. 
Matsushita first entered the DSC market in 1997. Incorporating its 
advanced storage media technology, the company soon followed with DSC 
products with SD Memory Cards, making it easier to link with other AV 
equipment with SD Card slots. Our new DSC product line will incorporate 
an SD Card slot that will further expand the networking versatility of a 
wide variety of digital appliances, added Mr. Toda.
About Leica Camera AG 
Leica Camera AG, Solms/Germany, is a world-wide renowned manufacturer of 
precision optical products for work and leisure. The company employs 
1,450 employees and recorded sales of ¬ 157.8 million (some US$ 135 
million) in the fiscal year 2000/2001 (March 31). Leica Camera shares 
are listed at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. 
The main shareholder is the French Hermès International SCA with 31.5 % 
of the stock capital. For more information, visit the Leica Camera web 
site at: http://www.leica-camera.com.
About Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. 
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., best known for its Panasonic, 
National, Technics, and Quasar brand names, is a worldwide leader in the 
development and manufacture of electronics products for a wide range of 
consumer, business, and industrial needs. Based in Osaka, Japan, the 
company recorded consolidated sales of US$ 61.45 billion for the fiscal 
year ended March 31, 2001. In addition to the Tokyo and other stock 
exchanges, Matsushitas shares are listed on the Amsterdam, Düsseldorf, 
Frankfurt, New York, Pacific, and Paris stock exchanges. For more 
information, visit the Matsushita web site at 
http://www.panasonic.co.jp/global/top.html.