"Winning in Imaging Devices, The Last Bastion"---Tomoyuki Su

[alphaomega]

Interesting interview in http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/HO ... 83822/?P=1 that is Nikkei Electronics Asia. Seems to have some relevance to developments of Alpha and E mount sensors. Move towards CMOS and keeping ahead of competition on quality and new features rather than low cost only. Worth a read.

[David Kilpatrick]

This is one of the most important statements made:

"we can also implement functions like the single-lens reflex camera mechanical shutter and range measurement in the CMOS sensor"

You know exactly what that means - no mechanical shutter, but a CMOS sensor with an electronic gated shutter simulation of the mechanical shutter; and no separate AF module, but AF off the sensor - and of course, exposure measurement off the sensor which is already standard.

David

[WaltKnapp]

This is one of the most important statements made:

"we can also implement functions like the single-lens reflex camera mechanical shutter and range measurement in the CMOS sensor"

You know exactly what that means - no mechanical shutter, but a CMOS sensor with an electronic gated shutter simulation of the mechanical shutter; and no separate AF module, but AF off the sensor - and of course, exposure measurement off the sensor which is already standard.

David

There are already DSLRs with half mechanical shutters, newer Canons. Not hard to implement the lead in, but the cutoff is more of a problem as there is no hard electronic stop for CMOS light sensing. Maybe someday. Even with lead in electronic you have eliminated shutter vibration problems. That would be quite satisfactory to see Sony do.

As far as AF, Sony has admitted it's not going to be easy to do contrast detect AF at the speed and capability needed in DSLRs. So don't hold your breath there either.

Walt