Minolta Co., Ltd. is proud to announce that its DiMAGE Scan Elite 5400 has been chosen for the "Best Film Scanner" awards, respectively, part of "The Best Photo Products in Europe, 2003-2004" awards selected by the TIPA. TIPA (Technical Image Press Association) is an organisation of representatives from professional camera and imaging magazines in Europe.

The DiMAGE Scan Elite 5400 offers professional quality scanning capabilities for users new to scanning and image processing. Minolta's latest 35mm-film scanner strategically combines advanced imaging features with straightforward controls to create the most incredible 5400dpi digital photographs.

With a resolution of 5400dpi, the DiMAGE Scan Elite 5400 captures all the subtle details in today's high-resolution film, and can easily make full-frame 24" (60 cm) photo-quality prints.

Its 16-bit A/D conversion enables the DiMAGE Scan Elite 5400 to match and reproduce the rich tone and colour variations of the original film image. Minolta's newest scanner includes 16-bit A/D conversion specifically to distinguish 65,536 tonal gradations for each colour channel. Its ability to accurately capture the depth and subtlety of the original film image is simply amazing.

The DiMAGE Scan Elite 5400 incorporates trademarked, advanced technology that enables users to easily produce premium images without complicated procedures. Integrating Applied Science Fiction's award winning Digital ICE™ into the scanner ensures the virtual elimination of the affect of dust, scratches, and fingerprints, as well as other surface contaminants. In addition, Minolta's own unique Grain Dissolver minimises the affect of film grain in the scanned image.

TIPA says: "Minolta has introduced a 35mm consumer film scanner with an unprecedented optical resolution of 5400dpi. Combined with its very high optical density, effective Digital ICE removal of dust and scratches, and the unique Minolta propriety grain reduction, this scanner delivers excellent scans for a very affordable price. The TIPA jury had no difficulty choosing it as the "Best Film Scanner 2003/2004".

This is the eighth time for Minolta to receive an award from TIPA. The Minolta DYNAX 700si won in 1994, the DYNAX 600si Classic in 1995, the VECTIS S-1 in 1996 ("TIPA Special Award"), the DYNAX 505si in 1998, the VECTIS 2000 in 2000, the DYNAX 7 and DiMAGE 7 in 2001, the Dynax 5 and DiMAGE X in 2002 making a total of ten awards for Minolta.

TIPA consists of representatives of 31 professional camera and imaging magazines from 13 European countries. Since 1991, the association has given awards annually for the best photographic and imaging products of the year.