According to the Italian blog Marsicalive (Click here / via NR) the next Nikon FF camera could use an Aptina sensor instead of Sony sensor. Aptina has a big partnership with Micron (that has a factory in Italy?). And while visiting the factory Shung Chieh (vice president of Aptina) unveiled that they will soon release a Full Frame CMOS sensor. When asked Shung didn’t deny that the sensor may be used by Nikon for their next FF camera!

The news has multiple important aspects for Sony:
1) The Sony A99 may will not share the 24(?) Megapixel sensor with Nikon
2) if Nikon goes his own way with sensor Sony will be free (or forced) to use their best sensor in their own Alphas instead of selling the exclusivity to Nikon like they did with the Nikon D800 (here at Amazon).

What do you think…is that a good or bad news for us? :)