Toshiba image sensor discovered inside Nikon D5200

Toshiba marked its entry in the APS-C CMOS image sensor market with the help of the recently-announced Nikon D5200, which features a 24.1-megapixel APS-C-sized sensor manufactured by the Japanese company.

Nikon has just introduced the D5200 DSLR on the North American market, at the Consumer Electronics Show 2013. The people over at ChipWorks decided to tear down the camera in order to see what can be found inside. Much to their dismay, they discovered that the camera’s sensor is actually manufactured by Toshiba.

Nobody was expecting Toshiba to be the manufacturer of D5200’s sensor, as Nikon had at least three other options: itself, Sony, and Aptina. However, Toshiba may have hit the jackpot, as the D5200 is predicted to become a best-selling camera among photography enthusiasts.

Surprise, surprise

Recently, it was rumored that several new companies were going to enter the consumer image sensor market, however, not too many experts believed that Toshiba would be making an appearance, as Aptina or Sony were the most likely candidates thanks to their strong connections with Nikon.

This is the first time Toshiba has manufactured an APS-C class sensor. The CMOS sensor is called Toshiba 5105 (HEZ1) and is available only in the Nikon D5200. It features a 24.1-megapixel resolution and a copper-based coating.

Toshiba shifting strategies

The Japanese company is said to shift its focus to mobile imaging industry, in order to achieve a 30 percent market share by the end of 2014. Toshiba is manufacturing the image sensor in its semiconductor plants, using copper-based fabrication technology.

This strategy is very similar to Samsung’s approach regarding this market, as the South Korean conglomerate is the sole maker of copper-based APS-C image sensors. If the Nikon D5200 proves to be a success in the US and Japan, then analysts expect other companies to follow the same path, sometime in the near future.

Nikon D5200 spec recap

Nikon’s latest DSLR features an EXPEED 3 CPU, a 39-point autofocus system, 3-inch high-resolution swiveling LCD screen with 170-degree angle viewing, 1080p video recording at 30p, enhanced user interface, 100-6,400 ISO range, HDR support, Picture Controls, Scene Recognition system, and Wireless Mobile Adapter Utility compatibility.

The D5200’s US release date has been set for late January at a MSRP of $899.95, in a package that includes an AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens. If you want to get a taste of the 24.1-megapixel APS-C sensor from Toshiba, then you must give this DSLR a closer look.