They made $700 million from imaging related sales. It'll multiply with whatever extra capacity they can output. So many phone makers are stuffing Sony sensors.
A lot of it is in image processing algorithms. Sony has historically lacked strong software teams, and there isn't anything that indicates this will change in the near future.
In the smartphone market, I agree. But in professional mirrorless cameras? They're top notch. Probably because there's much less post-processing when shooting RAW images. There's some, but not nearly as much as is required for a tiny smartphone camera.
Many complain about Sony ILC's confusing menus and primitive touch implementation, as opposed to Canon's which is better on both fronts. I as a Sony user have to admit the menu starts taking significant effort the moment I venture away from my custom shortcuts.
It's simple. They don't want to canabalize their precious camera business. The fact that smartphone companies around the world except Sony don't sell digital camera is not a coincidence.
That logic doesn't make sense as it just leads to their phones not selling. Plus the image processing that they'd need for their phones could actually benefit them in the camera space as well.
It's an open secret that digital cameras are being eclipsed by smartphones so Sony, running both businesses, has to decide which one to prioritize. Right now it seems they'd rather sell cameras than phones since recently Sony has downsized their smartphone business.
Their camera is already one of the best so I doubt they want additional help from the other division.
The reason for poor performance of smartphone camera is more stupid than people imagine. The main reason is the culture within the Sony. The different department within Sony are competing each other fiercely, the camera department is simply refusing to help out the Sony smartphone.
Their camera group have only recently started working with their smartphone group and then only in a limited capacity. There's been a lot of resistance to it too. They just don't want to cannibalise their camera sales (even if the dedicated cameras will almost certainly always be better).
This is a little rant off topic but dealing with cameras, but speaking of cameras i hate how every god damn surveillance camera has its own locked down version that requires its own software lately. I want a all-in-one app for PC, Phone that can run all the damn cameras i have.
Yes i cant wait for these to get standardized. Right now it's the barely smart era for these products. Just like how phones were 17 years ago, each with their own shhhty OS and tiny eco system of apps that wouldn't work on other phones.
I wish Microsoft and other started putting the finger print and face unlock sensor. The quality ones straight from phones into desktops and laptops. Or how about stock android based car dash cams and security cameras. So much improvement could be made.
Sorry but no. It makes sense (though it wasnt specifically mentioned) that the new facility is a 300mm fab but USD 1B for a new 300mm fab is very much expected. There are 300mm Fabs that cost well over 1B these days
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vortmax2 - Friday, November 1, 2019 - link
That's one big investment. Wonder what their ROI case looks like.milkywayer - Friday, November 1, 2019 - link
They made $700 million from imaging related sales. It'll multiply with whatever extra capacity they can output. So many phone makers are stuffing Sony sensors.shabby - Friday, November 1, 2019 - link
It's funny how Sony makes the best sensors but they can't extract the best image with their own sensors.jeremyshaw - Friday, November 1, 2019 - link
A lot of it is in image processing algorithms. Sony has historically lacked strong software teams, and there isn't anything that indicates this will change in the near future.Ej24 - Friday, November 1, 2019 - link
In the smartphone market, I agree. But in professional mirrorless cameras? They're top notch. Probably because there's much less post-processing when shooting RAW images. There's some, but not nearly as much as is required for a tiny smartphone camera.s.yu - Thursday, November 7, 2019 - link
Many complain about Sony ILC's confusing menus and primitive touch implementation, as opposed to Canon's which is better on both fronts.I as a Sony user have to admit the menu starts taking significant effort the moment I venture away from my custom shortcuts.
dropme - Friday, November 1, 2019 - link
It's simple. They don't want to canabalize their precious camera business. The fact that smartphone companies around the world except Sony don't sell digital camera is not a coincidence.darkswordsman17 - Friday, November 1, 2019 - link
That logic doesn't make sense as it just leads to their phones not selling. Plus the image processing that they'd need for their phones could actually benefit them in the camera space as well.dropme - Friday, November 1, 2019 - link
It's an open secret that digital cameras are being eclipsed by smartphones so Sony, running both businesses, has to decide which one to prioritize. Right now it seems they'd rather sell cameras than phones since recently Sony has downsized their smartphone business.Their camera is already one of the best so I doubt they want additional help from the other division.
Hiryu - Tuesday, November 5, 2019 - link
The reason for poor performance of smartphone camera is more stupid than people imagine. The main reason is the culture within the Sony. The different department within Sony are competing each other fiercely, the camera department is simply refusing to help out the Sony smartphone.Tams80 - Friday, November 1, 2019 - link
Their camera group have only recently started working with their smartphone group and then only in a limited capacity. There's been a lot of resistance to it too. They just don't want to cannibalise their camera sales (even if the dedicated cameras will almost certainly always be better).zamroni - Friday, November 1, 2019 - link
the sensor only captures RAW data. apple, xiaomi, sony mobile, etc. must configure their own post processing adjustmentimaheadcase - Friday, November 1, 2019 - link
This is a little rant off topic but dealing with cameras, but speaking of cameras i hate how every god damn surveillance camera has its own locked down version that requires its own software lately. I want a all-in-one app for PC, Phone that can run all the damn cameras i have.milkywayer - Friday, November 1, 2019 - link
Yes i cant wait for these to get standardized. Right now it's the barely smart era for these products. Just like how phones were 17 years ago, each with their own shhhty OS and tiny eco system of apps that wouldn't work on other phones.I wish Microsoft and other started putting the finger print and face unlock sensor. The quality ones straight from phones into desktops and laptops. Or how about stock android based car dash cams and security cameras. So much improvement could be made.
dropme - Friday, November 1, 2019 - link
$1bn investment in constructing a new facility site is a BIG deal, especially for a company making most of their money from entertainment business.I wonder which is the lucky equipment company Sony is doing business with. Maybe Applied Materials?
happily1986 - Wednesday, November 6, 2019 - link
Sorry but no. It makes sense (though it wasnt specifically mentioned) that the new facility is a 300mm fab but USD 1B for a new 300mm fab is very much expected. There are 300mm Fabs that cost well over 1B these days