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by emptybits·6y ago·view on hn ↗
Cool, I appreciate the link. The truth is unclear because there is physical evidence suggesting the contrary. For example, the Nikon D850 is referred to in your link, yet here are teardowns which confirm the sensor wears a Sony part number.[1][2]

And it seems well supported that, historically, many Nikon cameras have Sony model numbers on their sensors.[3][4]

Based on all this, the easiest explanation (and fairly consistent what both of us have shared) might be that Nikon does the design and or specification, and then Sony fabricates. The bar to fabrication is much higher than the bar to design, from what I understand, though I do not work in semiconductors.

[1] http://astrocn.org/thread-3189-1-1.html

[2] https://nikonrumors.com/2018/06/15/new-reports-indicate-that...

[3] https://nikonrumors.com/2015/12/16/list-of-all-nikon-dslr-ca...

[4] https://radojuva.com/2015/11/sensor-nikon-matrix/

1 comments
Thanks for the links. Having a part number on something is frankly meaningless unless the inside story is presented (as is done in the link that I mentioned, even though there is an element of promotion from Nikon). I don't know if you're familiar with Imaging Resource and Dave Etchells but they are hardcore geeks who have been reporting objectively on cameras for over two decades. They stay clear of the usual click-bait that camera gear websites have become. I've gone down this rabbit-hole when I was researching imaging sensor tech a few months ago, and that is why its fresh on my mind. I too don't work in semiconductors, I work in biotech. If you care to learn more about this, IISW workshops are a great resource.