Canon 5Ds’ 53-megapixel sensor will be made by Sony

Canon and Sony are rumored to have reached a partnership that would see the two parties exchange patents. This joint venture will result in Sony making 53-megapixel sensors with Exmor technology for Canon’s high-resolution cameras.

Update (February 6): Canon 5DS and 5DS R cameras are now official and they come packed with 50.6-megapixel sensors designed and made by Canon.

Sony is the largest image sensor supplier designed for consumer digital cameras. Nikon has been getting sensors from the PlayStation maker for a long time, whereas Canon has chosen to make use of in-house technology so far.

However, things took an interesting turn at the Photokina 2014 event, where the PowerShot G7 X compact camera was revealed with a 20-megapixel 1-inch-type sensor made by Sony.

It appears that the two parties have signed a partnership, creating a joint venture that will consist of a “patent exchange” between them. This way, Sony will make big-megapixel sensors for Canon, the latter throwing its own Dual Pixel AF technology to the mix.

Sony and Canon have become partners during the launch of the PowerShot G7 X. The partnership will continue as Sony will be the maker of the 53-megapixel sensor that will be found in the Canon 5Ds high-resolution DSLR.

Canon and Sony sign partnership, will exchange patents for high-resolution cameras

After Canon had launched the PowerShot G7 X, some rumors suggested that Sony would supply a big-megapixel sensor for the company’s rumored high-resolution DSLR. The rumors have been fueled by the fact that a representative has said that Canon will add the best sensors on the market to its cameras regardless of its maker.

An EOS DSLR with a huge amount of pixels is rumored to become official on February 6. It should have about 50 megapixels, some sources noting that it will most likely offer 53 megapixels.

According to the most recent information, the 53-megapixel sensor will be made by Sony. The source says that the two rivals have reached an agreement regarding a joint venture.

Furthermore, it is said that the duo will exchange patents. This way, Canon DSLRs will have 53-megapixel sensors with Exmor technology made by Sony and Dual Pixel autofocus technology made by Canon.

The PlayStation maker will keep on selling sensors to Nikon. However, they will not have Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology. It is said that Sony would have “no problem” in making multiple versions of the same sensor.

This is based on gossip talks, but it is not the first time we have reported a similar thing. As you know, where there’s smoke, there’s fire, so stay tuned to Camyx to find out whether this becomes true or not on February 6, when the Canon 5Ds is rumored to be unveiled.

What is the Canon 5Ds?

The Canon 5Ds will be the company’s first big-megapixel DSLR. In order to celebrate this milestone, the Japan-based manufacturer will launch two versions: one featuring an optical low-pass filter and one without such filter.

Nikon has taken a similar path a few years ago with the D800 and D800E. However, their replacement has been launched as a single model, called D810, without an OLPF.

A trusted source has recently revealed that an NDA regarding the 5Ds will expire on February 6, so the shooters will probably be unveiled on this date. As stated above, stay around to find out how this story unfolds.