Sony to Raise Nearly $4 Billion, Ramp Up Sensors Business to Anchor Turnaround

[Arkarch]

There are an awful lot of creative people on this planet... who knows what the next "killer application" will be.... hopefully it will not be a T-800

Introducing SkyNet® by Sony.

Lol +1... Is that why there is a StarVis logo inside the terminator eye?

 

[1982chris911]

I just forgot to mention that there is also a second non military thing that would need lots of image sensors of high quality (probably more than the entire DSLR Camera market) and that is autonomous driving cars ... imagine that each car needs a least a couple of sensors and in 10-15 years autonomous driving will be pretty standard at least in luxury level cars ... the newest generation of road legal cars in europe have already image based headlights to selectively illuminate persons standing on the side of the road and panorama cams for parking ... so a future car will certainly need a lot of image sensors if you add more systems like this

 

[RGF]

I think Canon should in invest in Sony Sensor project. To make sure they have the latest technology. That way they could continue with their sensor technology and leverage the learnings from Sony. Best of both worlds

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I think Canon should in invest in Sony Sensor project. To make sure they have the latest technology. That way they could continue with their sensor technology and leverage the learnings from Sony. Best of both worlds

Canon should invest in their own sensors, having just one sensor company is not good. Of course, there is ON semiconductor/Aptina, but everyone has got to be worrying about Samsung. Canon could buy ON semiconductor, but I don't think they want to compete in the cell phone sensor market.

 

[Bennymiata]

The worldwide market for sensors in cars will be around half a Billion + a year within a few years.
Most cars will have between 5 and 10 cameras each, maybe even more.
Add in the growing security market, and there will be a need for billions of sensors every year.

I reckon it could be a good business, and Sony is very well placed to grab the lion's share.

 

[RGF]

I think Canon should in invest in Sony Sensor project. To make sure they have the latest technology. That way they could continue with their sensor technology and leverage the learnings from Sony. Best of both worlds

Canon should invest in their own sensors, having just one sensor company is not good. Of course, there is ON semiconductor/Aptina, but everyone has got to be worrying about Samsung. Canon could buy ON semiconductor, but I don't think they want to compete in the cell phone sensor market.

Not suggesting that canon give up on their own sensors, rather that the invest in Sony and get to use some of Sony's technology that will help them. Best of both Canon and Sony. That would be a GREAT day

 

[PerfectSavage]

So selling sensors to Nikon is going to support a $40 billion business?

Yeah, right.

Bye-bye, Sony...

I guess you're unaware that Sony make the sensors for the cameras in the newest iphones and Galazy phones, the sensors in some Canon cameras, the sensors in most Olympus cameras and, apparently the sensor in the forthcoming top-line Fuji (not to mention sensors used in cars and all manner of industrial uses).

That is mostly true, however that sensor business you just outlined isn't "new opportunity/new markets" as much as current market thus if Sony hasn't been able to post a profit with the OEM products/market you just detailed, then the question is how big is the expansion market it sees ahead and what does it need to make money and pay back investors...40% of an expanded market, 67% of the same market...TBD? ...and clearly the analysts and stock market hasn't seen it otherwise it's valuation wouldn't be so shit and near bankruptcy multiple times the past few years.

 

[George D.]

Japan’s Sony Corp plans to raise nearly $4 billion via new shares and bonds to plough into image sensors as it reinvents itself as a niche component maker, pulling back from consumer goods like TVs that dragged it into losses.

They transferred personnel from the LED backlit TV to the backlit sensor... Major drag (into new losses). If Canon starts to make TVs I wonder whose technology they will borrow. ;D

Meanwhile I don't suppose this rumored Canon Foveon turns up in the 1DXII/5D4. If there's one "new technology" I'd bet on this one.