Aptina + Sony

I generally ignore business or tech news, but an agreement between two big players in sensor development is very interesting. Here is the news: Aptina signs patent cross-license agreement with Sony.

Nikon 1 cameras such as V1 or V2 are equipped Aptina sensor, and so far this system has the fastest autofocus among mirrorless cameras. Mirrorless cameras require frequent read-out from sensor for fast autofocus. Aptina can do it through "hybrid autofocus". Obviously, it is not just that, but it is one of the limiting factors.

In last few years years Sony produces sensors with very low noise used in Nikon D7000 or Pentax K-5. Olympus OM-D EM-5 is also equipped with sensor from Sony. While the EM-5 does focus fast, it is not a match for Nikon 1 V1.

Fujifilm is also interesting player in this field. The company produced one of the first (compact) cameras with the hybrid autofocus, and recently added this feature to X20 and X100S.