Minox appears to have added a touch of glitz and glamour to its new 10-million-pixel compact by unveiling a ?gold-plated? version – the lens of which is surrounded by ?real diamonds?.

The Minox DC 1011 Gold is a ?fully working? camera encased in a 24-carat gold-plated body with ten 2mm (0.03 carat) diamonds adorning its 3x optical lens, according to a statement released by the company today.

Built to reflect a ?golden age in digital compacts?,

only 100 models have been made – each ?hand-finished? and expected to cost £999 according to a UK spokesman.

?The gadget and jewellery market is full of unique and exciting ?lifestyle? products so? why not digital cameras?? asks the company, explaining that gold ?suits camera production very well?.

Features include manual exposure control and a 2.5in LCD screen with a resolution of 230,000 pixels.

The camera is due to be showcased at the upcoming Photokina photo show in Germany where a standard version ? simply called the DC 1011 – will also be displayed. The DC 1011 will carry a more modest pricetag of £299.

Availability dates have yet to be announced.