The website ImageSensorWorld catched an interesting news via Businessweek.

Sony has the plan to double its image sensor production! That’s why they will invest $1.2B in the next financial year to convert a plant in Nagasaki for the production of CMOS sensors. After that the total production of CCD and CMOS  sensors will increase to 50,000 300mm wafers a month by March 2012. Hey Sony, what will you do with all that CMOS sensors? Are those meant for the new NEX-7, A77, A750, A950 we were long waiting for? ;)

And here is the official Sony press release:

“Sony Corporation (“Sony”) today announced that Sony plans to invest approximately 100 billion yen in Sony Semiconductor Kyushu Corporation’s Nagasaki Technology Center (“Nagasaki TEC”) in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012, to increase the production capacity for CMOS image sensors.

This investment plan includes (i) the transfer of the semiconductor fabrication facilities from Toshiba Corporation (“Toshiba”) contemplated under a non-binding memorandum of understanding between Sony and Toshiba jointly announced on December 24, 2010, (ii) refurbishment of a part of the above semiconductor fabrication facilities into new wafer lines capable of manufacturing CMOS image sensors, and (iii) refurbishment and equipment of a part of production facilities at Nagasaki TEC Building 3 for wafer processing to differentiate Sony’s CMOS image sensors with Sony’s independently developed unique technologies. Through the investment plan, Sony will utilize a governmental subsidy to be provided by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Japan – the “subsidy for programs to promote siting low-carbon job-creating industries” – mainly in connection with the investment mentioned in (iii) above.“

I am really proud to give you that news! Our reader Shaadi Faris won the first price of the Sony nature photo challenge! You can see the picture on Flickr (Click here). And the third place goes also to a SonyAlphaRumors reader…Griveous 247 (Click here to see that picture on Flickr). My compliments for both of you!!! Really stunning pictures!

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Reminder: You are still in time to participate the next contest with the theme “Travel”. Click that flickr link and tag every photo with “SonyPhotoChallenge” and “SonyAlphaRumors“. Why should you add the SonyAlphaRumors tag? Sony said the blogger that sends more people/pictures will be invited as special guest at the Sony World Photography Awards Ceremony on the 27th April 2011. And you won’t disappoint me or not? ;) I want to be there!!!

Sony NEX-VG10 vs Canon 60d vs Panasonic GH2

Sony to Buy Back Image Sensor Fab from Toshiba! (ImageSensorWorld)

NEX-VG10 with the Mamiya 80mm f2.8 lens (Americanpeyote).

Nice list of Sony Instante Rebates at BHphoto.

Also Nikon plans to release a mirrorless camera with interchangeable sensor. Will it use different Sony sensors or not?

The next challenge will go live and the theme is ‘travel’. The top prize-winning photo will win a NEX-5, and second and third place will win a NEX-3 and Cyber-shot respectively.

To add your picture click the following link: http://www.flickr.com/groups/sonyphotochallenge/discuss/72157625525868711/. Important! Tag every photo with “SonyPhotoChallenge” and “SonyAlphaRumors“.

Watch out Canon and Nikon! Sony is coming! The latest weekly BCNranking report shows how two Sony NEX-5 cameras made it into the top 4 of the most sold system cameras. A wonder where the [shoplink 3003]NEX-5[/shoplink] would be if we would sum the black and white model sales numbers!

But how is the rest of the world doing? There are no such reliable rankings. But we can take a look at Amazon rankings:
In US Canon and Nikon are dominating the scene (Click here to see the US ranking). You can find the NEX and Translucent camera only one the second page. But please keep in mind the [shoplink 3617]A55[/shoplink] is not in Stock right now. That could explain the low sales.
In UK the Sony A290 is selling well (Click here to see the UK rankings). But for the rest we have the same US scenario….Canon and Nikon are dominating.
In Germany we have the same story. Canon and Nikon are on top (Click here to see the Amazon Germany ranking).
Also in France the Sony A290 is the best sold camera (Click here to see the Amazon France ranking).
Where Sony is doing very well is in Italy (Click hee to see the Amazon Italy rankings).

As you see the European and American market is less “mirrorless” oriented and very conservative. Classic DSLR cameras are still dominating the camera world.

Sony DSLR and David Bittner

Nikonos underwater lens adapter for Sony NEX ([shoplink 4931]eBay[/shoplink]).

Using the Sony NEX-5 with Leica Lenses by Paul Barclay (Steve Huff).

Sony DT 50mm f/1.8 SAM Interchangeable Lens Review (ePhotozine).

Nikon D3100 vs Sony NEX-5 at Dpreview.

Image courtesy: Quesabesde

One of the most popular cameras on the world wide web is the Fuji X100 prototype (yes it’s not on market now!). And I just read an interesting Interview on Quesabesde where Hiroshi Kawahara, Operations Manager at Fujifilm Electronic Imaging Products Division talks about the FinePix X100:

“Question: It has been said that the sensor used is similar to that seen in some Nikon SLR cameras, and therefore manufactured by Sony. Can this information be confirmed?
Answer: The sensor of the FinePixX100 is customized to match its lens. We should point out that the most important thing is not who produces the technology but the technology in itself, and in this sense Fujifilm optimizes its technologies depending on the photographic result being pursued at any given time.”

So after Nikon and Pentax now even Fuji is using Sony sensors? It would be nice if Fuji could give us something back, would love to see a NEX camera with that cool Hybrid Viewfinder!