The future of sensors.

[Nikkor]

If you read sonyalpharumors from time to time you probably know about this, but given recent topics about the future of canon,etc... I think they are relevant.

 

Yesterday I read the news about an 1" 1080p global shutter CMOS.

 

http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/new-sony-one-inch-sony-global-shutter-sensor-in-use-in-grasshoppers-cameras-new-hxr-nx3vg1-announced/

 

The video shows off an USB3 version, intended for industry work.

 

Then there is this rumor about a collaboration between hasselblad and sony to produce a double exposure sensor. This would be something similar to Magic Lantern's double iso, but instead of whole lines it would be able to control single pixels. This approach is similar also the one Arri uses on their cameras.

 

http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/sr4-hasselblad-and-sony-to-make-a-joint-sensor-announcement/

 

There is also a rumour about nonbayer sensors by Sony which will be introduced in 2016 with 54MP.

http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/sr5-sony-sensor-revolution-first-non-bayer-sensors-coming-in-2015/

 

Sony obviously is going to be the big player. Nikon "surrendered" years ago to sony sensors, although they have incorporated toshiba sensors in their entry level DSRL and a proprietary sensor on D4/Df. Also Panasonic had a short sony adventure with the gh3. But the most important collaboration is the agreement between Sony and Olympus, where Sony agreed to exchange their sensor knowledge with Olympuses 5 way image stabilization.

 

​All combined together, global shutter, image stabilisation, selective exposure, nex mount, the 5k downsampled stream of the RX10 could make a great combination, but we all know that we won't get that combination, at least for the entry level.

 

My guess is that Panasonic will remain the first choice for video, specially if more camera manufactures surrender to Sony sensors. The stills world will see the incorporation of new, more affordable Medium Format systems which will step into the foot steps of the past expensive Full Frame cameras.

This would mean, fast highres m43 cameras for video (panasonic and 1" solutions), and slow big-sensor cameras for still photography (54MP FF, and hypothetical new high DR MF cameras)

[Andrew Reid]

The surprising thing is that Nikon had first claim to the 36MP sensor, which is Sony's most advanced to date (manufacturing wise) on a new process. Maybe they paid a lot for it, but Sony doesn't seem that hung up about giving their best sensors to competitors… yet.

 

On the medium format front, those sensors could have incredible low light and dynamic range properties. Traditionally medium format has not been much good in low light instead going for resolution. So if they do a 54MP medium format sensor and a 24MP one that would be the right strategy. Give the users a choice. Form factor could be interesting too.