Sensor in Nikon D3 is Canon made!

[Dredman]

I have a good friend who is an engineer for Canon USA, and he heard that Canon and Nikon collaborated in designing the sensor for the new Full Frame Nikon... Canon is the "silent partner" on the new sensor.

I could hardly believe it at first, but it makes sense if you think about it... If you are the only one to ever adopt a technology, then there is always a lingering thought that maybe it isn't the best way to go (think Sigma and Fovian). Canon needed another company to go FF to legitimize their leadership and show how forward thinking they have been.

The benefits to Nikon are obvious (great new camera, a jump-start into new technology with FF and cmos) but the benefits to Canon are real too... I mean, this shows that they have been ahead of the game for years , and they get in on the details of the latest and greatest Nikon...

Without competition, a market languishes... That is part of why Canon needs Nikon to be in the game, just like Microsoft needs Apple to be competitive in an interesting way. (not to competative, mind you)

It is a gamble for both companies, but I bet it pays off for both of them too!

 

[Jason Chan59347]

I have a good friend who is an engineer for Canon USA, and he heard
that Canon and Nikon collaborated in designing the sensor for the new
Full Frame Nikon... Canon is the "silent partner" on the new sensor.

I find this hard to believe. Do you have any evidence other than hearsay?

I could hardly believe it at first, but it makes sense if you think
about it... If you are the only one to ever adopt a technology, then
there is always a lingering thought that maybe it isn't the best way
to go (think Sigma and Fovian). Canon needed another company to go
FF to legitimize their leadership and show how forward thinking they
have been.

Why does Canon need Nikon to legitimize FF? They've been successful doing so for the past 5 years. Why would they want to give away a competitive advantage?

The benefits to Nikon are obvious (great new camera, a jump-start
into new technology with FF and cmos) but the benefits to Canon are
real too... I mean, this shows that they have been ahead of the
game for years , and they get in on the details of the latest and
greatest Nikon...

Canon gains nothing by sharing their FF CMOS technology with Nikon.

Without competition, a market languishes... That is part of why
Canon needs Nikon to be in the game, just like Microsoft needs
Apple to be competitive in an interesting way. (not to competative,
mind you)

OK, yes, the market needs competition. But I don't see how or why Canon would give away their key competitive advantage. That doesn't make any sense whatsoever. That's like BMW designing an engine for Mercedes or vice versa.

It is a gamble for both companies, but I bet it pays off for both of
them too!

Show me some evidence that the new D3 sensor is made by Canon. I might change my mind then.

 

[Luis Dias]

What can I say? You make so much sense that it is difficult to argue. If I understood correctly what you say is something like this: lets help our competition to get to the top, so we can prove we are the best.

 

[joseph papa]

this is horse sh&t

 

[hunk]

What can I say? You make so much sense that it is difficult to argue.
If I understood correctly what you say is something like this: lets
help our competition to get to the top, so we can prove we are the
best.

or

...lets help our competition to get to the top, so we can prove we are the second best.

don't believe it!

--
wild images and such at my website
http://www.x32.nl

 

[Surfdog]

I don't know who fabs the D3 sensor, so why think it couldn't be Canon?
Well ...

I can think of ten rational reasons for Canon to absolutely not collaborate this way;

I can think of zero rational reasons - including the ones you gave - to think they might;
I'm going to stick with "not very darned likely"

I think someone's pulling your leg, or you're trying to pull ours

--
equipment inventory in profile

 

[Dredman]

What can I say? You make so much sense that it is difficult to argue.
If I understood correctly what you say is something like this: lets
help our competition to get to the top, so we can prove we are the
best.

Have you ever seen the movie "the Hustler" ? Just because you let the competition win one game, doesn't mean you let them "get on top"... It just leads them to bet more so you win more when you crush them

and I never said that they gave away all their technology... who knows what they shared and what they held back? This is all vapor ware at the moment... we will see .

 

[Mike Fried]

I have a good friend who is an engineer for Canon USA, and he heard
that Canon and Nikon collaborated in designing the sensor for the new
Full Frame Nikon... Canon is the "silent partner" on the new sensor.

Nikon made the lenses for the first models of Canon cameras (according to Canon's history web site). Sony makes the LCD screens and CCD chips for just about all Canon and Nikon P&S cameras. Canon is a business, and Nikon is a business, and even though they compete for the market, if Canon's semiconductor business can sell sensor chips to Nikon for a profit, then they make a portion of the profits for every Nikon camera. Similarly, Sony makes a portion of the profits from its LCD sales.

Think about this from another perspective: If you are the head of Nikon's engineering looking for a company to supply your CCD chips, you would not turn down Canon as a potential supplier just because they compete with your product line. If they make the best sensors, then they make the best sensors. You evaluate the products you use based on your needs.

Canon and Nikon worked together in the past, and they may work together in the future. As long as customers keep buying, they will keep selling, and the technology advancements that we paid for with our earlier purchases will continue to fund new advancements later. That being said, having Nikon and Canon being separate organizations competing for our money is good for everyone.

If you look at any modern piece of electronics, you might find components from a dozen different vendors, each with their own labels on their parts. Nikon and Canon probably don't want to market who makes their components, as they are wisely trying to sell you on their brand.

-Mike



http://demosaic.blogspot.com

 

[FretNoMore]

...but I seriously doubt this is true, it doesn't feel right to me.

• Anders @ http://www.aobild.com *

 

[cpr1954]

now if they would only use the same lens mount.. cool..!!

btw.. I do believe Samsung and Sony share the same LCD panels.. one or the other makes them both, so I have heard... and they both have the best LCD TV's on the market.. I have one..

cheers

craig

--
some of my shots here
http://www.pbase.com/cpr1954/root

 

[Sunesha]

If it is true, I kinda find it is funny. What will the internet fanboys do?

Canon fanboy; If canon wouldnt help out, Nikon would die in noise!

Nikon Fanboy: If Nikon didnt did the design it wouldnt be such a good Canon Sensor..

Well well, this latest rumor is fun. Just as fun as the rumor that D300 uses the D2X sensor. Who cares as long it bring photos to the printer in nice way everyone will be happy ;-)
--
http://www.sunesha.se
Malmoe, Sweden

•- All my opinions is personal and should never be read as ultimate truths, as I speculate as I speaking not from experience and facts. (I am a newbie that is the truth) -•

 

[Luis Dias]

Have you ever seen the movie "the Hustler" ? Just because you let
the competition win one game, doesn't mean you let them "get on
top"... It just leads them to bet more so you win more when you
crush them

and I never said that they gave away all their technology... who
knows what they shared and what they held back? This is all vapor
ware at the moment... we will see .

Lol, you do are funny. So, lets give up our secrets, help the competition to catch up, loose a few hundred million dollars, loose some million customers... so we can say that we were right?

Next Adobe will help microsoft with is paint program giving MS access to the code of its forecomming Adobe CS 4 line.

 

[Charlie Liu]

All could be true

1. if Canon want the Sony business from Nikon

2. if Canon want to become the next major Sensor provider

3. now if this is true Canon will control the price cost of Nikon body.

4. if it is really true we will probably never see a 3D or any other simular camera.

5. it is also possible that Canon is selling the old 5D technology to Nikon and Canon will move up to the 5D mkII ....

6... let me think...

 

[Stovall]

No wonder people in the more serious photo forums see this place as a leper colony.

--
---
****************************************

'Giving a camera to Diane Arbus is like putting a live grenade in the hands of a child.'
Norman Mailer (b. 1923), U.S. author. Newsweek (New York, 22 Oct. 1984)

 

[Priaptor]

You realize that information was locked away in Roswell, New Mexico with the other UFO artifacts and data. How did you get access to this informaton and who do you know in the Pentagon?

However, you do have your facts wrong.

When the aliens landed in Roswell, on their way, they bestowed on Japan a great gift called a full frame sensor. They made the Japanese Govt promise to release it only in bits and pieces untl the year 2007 when the aliens required Canon and Nikon to release the product jointly for the greater good of mankind. Little did they know what they were unleashing. Americans, with their great foresight, locked them in Roswell's hanger hoping they got to the aliens belore they could unleash this dangerous chip, we now know as a full frame sensor. The FF sensor is really an alien so beware.

You may actually notice a difference in those who have purchased 5D and 1Ds after they come back from their shooting.

 

[Luis Dias]

Let me put you this way, business is always welcome, but when you are selling to your competition you will not sell your absolutely best so they won't wipe you out of business. I could understand if Canon sold lets say the 5D sensor to Nikon, but not its absolutely brand new revolutionary one.

It is a bit like in Formula 1, Ferrari, and other engine makers, sell their engines to other teams, but the newest one is always for the house only.

You can apply this to cameras too, with Sony now playing in SLR field, it is logical that sony while continuing to sell sensors to many camera brands, will reserve the best for its line.

Thus other companies have all the interest in finding something in house for them too, or otherwise they will eventually in future be out of the game.

 

[Jason Chan59347]

What can I say? You make so much sense that it is difficult to argue.
If I understood correctly what you say is something like this: lets
help our competition to get to the top, so we can prove we are the
best.

Have you ever seen the movie "the Hustler" ? Just because you let
the competition win one game, doesn't mean you let them "get on
top"... It just leads them to bet more so you win more when you
crush them

Yes, and there is absolutely no parallel with the movie. There is a difference between a pool match and competition between two heavyweights in a multi-billion dollar market. Culturally, it would be a complete non-starter.

and I never said that they gave away all their technology... who
knows what they shared and what they held back? This is all vapor
ware at the moment... we will see .

OK, now you're defeating your own argument. Like you said, it's "all vaporware."

 

[icedcaff]

Saved the "A" tech for themselves.

I have a good friend who is an engineer for Canon USA, and he heard
that Canon and Nikon collaborated in designing the sensor for the new
Full Frame Nikon... Canon is the "silent partner" on the new sensor.

I could hardly believe it at first, but it makes sense if you think
about it... If you are the only one to ever adopt a technology, then
there is always a lingering thought that maybe it isn't the best way
to go (think Sigma and Fovian). Canon needed another company to go
FF to legitimize their leadership and show how forward thinking they
have been.

The benefits to Nikon are obvious (great new camera, a jump-start
into new technology with FF and cmos) but the benefits to Canon are
real too... I mean, this shows that they have been ahead of the
game for years , and they get in on the details of the latest and
greatest Nikon...

Without competition, a market languishes... That is part of why
Canon needs Nikon to be in the game, just like Microsoft needs
Apple to be competitive in an interesting way. (not to competative,
mind you)

It is a gamble for both companies, but I bet it pays off for both of
them too!

 

[jrwagner]

It is gorgeous.

 

[Dredman]

Who said Canon sold their "best" sensor to Nikon? We don't even know if it is as good at the sensor in the 5D... of course Nikon is going to say it is the best ever but what does that mean?

and besides, Canon is really a very large company, with significantly more products then cameras... they have the $$ and following to play some games if they see it as advantagous in the long run. why not help Nikon make a ff sensor with the same resolution as one you have been selling for years? I bet they have something impressive held back for later.