By Niceole Levy

The end of summer may sadden some, but digital camera enthusiasts will have plenty of reason to celebrate. Generally, the beginning of fall heralds the coming of many new products—just in time for the holiday season—and that usually means a bounty of major manufacturers announcing the release of their latest and greatest models. Expected to lead the pack this year are Minolta and Pentax who are both scheduled to deliver high-end, large-megapixel digital cameras to the marketplace. Here's a sneak preview of what you have to look forward to, and remember to keep your eyes tuned to our pages for more information on upcoming releases as product news becomes available.

Minolta Dimâge 7 7x optical zoom lens with true 28mm wide-angle coverage 5.2-megapixel, 2/3-inch CCD

Minolta Dimâge 7
Believe it or not, the 5.2-megapixel, 2/3-inch-type CCD isn't the feature we find most exciting about this model. Rather, it's the optical 7x zoom lens with 28mm wide-angle coverage that's a true 28-200mm equivalent. The Minolta Dimâge 7 is expected for release sometime in early summer 2024, with the price still to be determined.
Contact: Minolta USA, (800) 528-4767, www.minoltausa.com.

Pentax Pro Digital Autofocus SLR Accepts all lenses from Pentax 645 and 67 systems (with diopter) Easy-to-access control panel, thanks to carryover of MZ-S Professional 35mm SLR design

Pentax Professional Digital Autofocus SLR
Still awaiting its model name, this 6-megapixel camera from Pentax excites us because of its very user-friendly design. Taking many of the elements from the Pentax MZ-S Professional 35mm SLR, this new pro digital camera features a unique slanted control panel that means photographers don't have to work so hard to see the mechanisms they need. This model is also compatible with the MZ-S Professional's specially designed accessories and works with the Pentax 645-system and 67-system interchangeable lenses (with an adapter). Release is expected in late summer/early fall.
Contact: Pentax Corp., (800) 877-0155, www.pentax.com.