Fujifilm and Samsung to make use of Sony RX100 III’s sensor

Sony is rumored to supply its 1-inch-type image sensor, found in the RX100 III, to both Fujifilm and Samsung, after first providing it to Panasonic.

Panasonic has recently taken the wraps off of the Lumix FZ1000 bridge camera. The device comes packed with a 20.1-megapixel 1-inch-type sensor. Multiple sources have confirmed that the sensor has been supplied by Sony and that it is the same model as the one found in the Sony RX100 III compact camera.

A major difference between the FZ1000 and the RX100 III is that the former is capable of capturing 4K videos. It appears that Panasonic has managed to solve its heating issues, allowing the FZ1000 to record movies at 4K resolution.

Either way, the same sensor is also rumored to be present in the Panasonic Lumix LX8, which will be unveiled in late August. However, new reports are now claiming that Panasonic is not the only company that will take advantage of this technology, as Sony will also provide the sensor to both Fujifilm and Samsung.

Sony RX100 III’s image sensor rumored to make its way into future Fujifilm and Samsung cameras

The image sensor found in the Sony RX100 III is rumored to be supplied to both Fujifilm and Samsung.

Several reports are stating that Sony is the world’s largest supplier of image sensors for digital cameras. The company is making sensors for a broad range of digital cameras, including DSLRs and medium format shooters.

As it stands, the rumors that Sony is providing sensors for Panasonic do not come as a surprise. Moreover, the digital imaging market is quite unstable, so it would make sense for Fujifilm and Samsung to focus their efforts on other projects, instead of sensor development.

Panasonic has been able to improve the sensor in the FZ1000, therefore there is no reason why Fujifilm and Samsung will not be able to do a similar thing.

Fujifilm X30 is a strong candidate to come packed with Sony’s 1-inch-type sensor

The reports have not mentioned any future Fujifilm and Samsung cameras that would feature Sony’s image sensor found in the RX100 III. However, the Fuji X30 is rumored to be a high-end compact camera, which will be announced soon with a 1-inch-type image sensor.

The X20 replacement might feature the same 20.1-megapixel sensor found in its competitor: the RX100 III.

On the other hand, Samsung is not expected to launch any new compacts by the end of 2014. The South Korean maker focuses on mirrorless camera development and the NX1 is rumored to become the flagship NX-mount shooter soon.

Nevertheless, in the wake of these rumors, we should not rule out any possibilities, so stay tuned! In the meantime, the Sony RX100M is available at Amazon for about $800, while the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 can be purchased for about $900.