I've often seen that Sony makes the sensors for this camera body and that camera body and now I've become curious ... What camera companies (if any) manufacture their own sensors for DSLRs?
If I'm not mistaken, Sony makes the sensors for Nikon and Pentax, yet Sony doesn't even (currently) market a DSLR! Who drives new chip designs? What company is likely to have the newest/best chip technology in their cameras? Does Canon (or anyone else) design and make their own chips?
The reason to Sony not manufacturing their own dSLR is, that they never had a SLR lineup to begin with.
Sony is teaming up with Konica Minolta, though. Should be interesting.
Uusilehto wrote:
The reason to Sony not manufacturing their own dSLR is, that they never had a SLR lineup to begin with.
Sony is teaming up with Konica Minolta, though. Should be interesting.
So does that mean that Sony could use their top-of-the-line sensors in their new lineup of cameras and just sell the old technology leftovers to Nikon?
Seems to leave Canon as the only ones in a fairly secure position.
There are some new manufacturers up and coming, but it takes more than just those pixels crammed on that surface. For instance, Sharp makes tiny 8MP sensors that are used in Ricoh cameras - they literally suck. Lotsa resolution covered up in fuzzy good old fashioned noise. Now Sharp are very proud to announce that they are starting to manufacture same sized 10MP sensors... The "market" screams for hi res sensors so Sharp has proven that they "can" make 10MP though any discerning photographers would grind their teeth at the results.
Sony seems to have learnt some though, from making that noisy 8MP sensor (used in the F828 and actually in Canon Pro1, and one of the Nikons and some other 8Mp I can't recall) they are now making that promising 10,3MP for their own R1 and that Nikon D200.
Also, the small Fuji F10 (6,3MP) and the Fuji F900 (9MP) both have small sensors and extremely low noise at ISO800 so technology is maturing even for smaller sensors. I wouldn't mind the F10 as a sidekick. They are not dSLR quality but pretty good for what they are.
I am surprised though that Ricoh in their GR1digital feel content with putting in a very noisy 8MP sensor. We made some sample 8x10"s from the camera and it is quite bad.
Nikon D200 has a 10.9 MP CCD
Sony R1 has a 10.3 MP CMOS & slightly smaller physical size than the Nikon
Totally different sensors. Also, the Sony has a couple fewer bits per color channel - but I'm not 100% positive on that. Sony's marketing hype talked about added DR, but it's proving to be just that - hype... I'd had hoped this camera would have better sensor performance...
John: No, that wasn't what I was suggesting. What I had heard was that Sony was making the sensors. But I haven't looked much into it so I was perpetuating rumours as it seems - sorry about that...
The Nikon D200 is a totally different camera - that is for sure!
Yes Canon is the only one manufacturing their own (CMOS) sensors. One of the new entries into the SLR market (for now MF only at this moment) is DALSA of Canada. I had experience with them as they manufactured the sensors for our test equipment to test LCD displays during the manufacturing process. They have wonderful technology. Currently they make the sensors for the very high resolution backs made by Leaf/Aptus. If it ever actually reaches market the Mamiya ZD also uses a DALSA Chip.
I think for Nikon to be successful they will have to change sources. While Sony makes great chips, they are also a competitor (at least for now with products like the R1) and when the first Sony / Konica Minolta DSLR hits the market they will be a full competitor. I for one hope that Nikon chooses a very competent manufacturer like Dalsa as they progress towards 16-25megapixels.
The ill-fated Contax N Digital (FF 135 DSLR) used a CCD from Phillips. Around that time, imaging sensors were spun off from Phillips Semiconductor to form DALSA.
siang: that would surprise me if it was from Sharp. They have not been very successful as of yet when it comes to suppressing noise. Their smaller sensors are pure crap.
