Sony Japan (Click here) presented the next-generation Back-Illuminated CMOS Image Sensor (See graph on top): “as the pixel section and circuit section are formed as independent chips, a manufacturing process can be adopted, enabling the pixel section to be specialized for higher image quality while the circuit section can be specialized for higher functionality, thus simultaneously achieving higher image quality, superior functionality and a more compact size. In addition, faster signal processing and lower power consumption can also be achieved through the use of leading process for the chip containing the circuits.”

The well informed Japanese website Nikkei (Click here) said that Sony will acquire 20-30% of Olympus shares. While Sony’s mail goal is to have a control over Olympus highly profitable medical business this may will influence the camera division too. Only time will tell!

P.S.: A swedish source told me that there will be around 100 units of the Nex-7 body in Stock on the 4th of February (Check Sonystore Sweden). More pre order options: [shopcountry 8454]

My guess is that to bring some real major image quality jump you have to abandon the classic Bayer sensor design. Fuji has shown us what’s possible by a “simple” re-arrangement of the pixel array. And today Sony (Click here) announced a new sensor technology for small sensors that improves the dynamic range. The past months I posted some Sony patents disclosing a sensor with RGB and White pixels. That new pixel allows to capture images with a much greater dynamic range for both images and videos. Sony plans the mass production of these sensors for compact and phone cameras within summer 2012. And maybe one day the new technology will be used on APS-C and FF sensors too!

As you know Olympus made a big mess trying to hide big losses made over twenty years ago. They lied to shareholders for all those years until the ex British CEO Woodford unveiled the scandal. No Olympus has to find a partner that is willing to invest into the company.

With a huge surprise Reuters (Click here) reports that Sony is the company that will very likely look for an agreement with Olympus. I don’t know for what reason Sony is doing that. probably the medical part from Oly is where Sony wants to get in. It’s hard for me to believe that Sony wants to move into the m43 system and it’s also impossible to think that Olympus will join the NEX system. The only realistic option is that like Nikon, Pentax and Ricoh also Olympus will use Sony sensors inside their cameras. Let’s see what will happen soon…