Tao Te is being kind but the reality is that making things isn't really that important in the modern world. Visio does great TVs with low cost by writing a spec sheet with a # of units, a spec sheet, and a price per unit. As you sneer at Visio, let me mention that Sony does the same thing. Nikon is in the same game. Not impressed yet? Sandisk and Apple work that way. Okay, now you shut up (If not who cares). Why tie your product to the cost limitations of a vertically integrated structure when you can access market forces to drive down the price of everything but those items that truly give you a technical lead (the body design, some proprietary aspects of the processor and noise reduction) while pitting the big giants (Sony, Omnivision, Toshiba (maybe) to give you the best technology at the best price. To this you add your targetted IP portfolio, those few things in filters and sensor design that actually give you an edge, maybe licensing some aspects of it to your competitor. You end up profitable (no capital investment, not fighting for ROI) and can make changes to adopt inflections in technology. If you've adopted Digital SLR you've adopted the new paradigm. If not, sell all your digital, buy a medium format film camera, and cradle it in the fetal position as film and film development goes the way of the dodo.

I'm sure Sony has some of Nikon's precision equipment, Canon probably has some Sony industrial stuff, etc. There are probably Sony & Samsung TVs/monitors in all of them. All of them probably have surveillance cameras with Kenko lenses on them. That is just what happens when these companies become huge (Sony) and have multiple focused divisions like Nikon.

NikoDoby said:
I believe Sony uses ASML steppers. If they used Nikon's then all of Nikon's sensors would be made by Sony, but they are not. Carl-Zeiss also has a relationship with ASML which is also dating Sony.

Ahh Thanks.

TaoTeJared said:
The Nikon sensors made by whom BS.

People really need to move on of such a ridiculous and a nonsensical detail.

There are hundreds of computer manufactures - better said - hundreds of companies who put parts together to make computers. All of them use Intel, Texas Instruments, and dozens of other chip manufactures. Dell and Apple use an Intel processors, does that mean Dell or Intel makes Apple computers? - No. Apple is unique because what they design around those chips. Nikon is no different.

I get your frustration. I honestly couldn't care any less who makes the sensors just as long as they continue to offer the best in image quality. I mean even Sony uses Samsung to make their LCDs.

But I was just trying to say that if Nikon precision equipment were used to make the Sony sensors that were used in the Nikon cameras, then it'd would almost be like Nikon made their own sensors.

That's all. I didn't mean to start a debate.

I think NikoDoby is correct that Sony is ASML customer, but you don't need inbreeding to justify that. ASML typically has cutting edge patterning capability.

The Nikon sensors made by whom BS.

People really need to move on of such a ridiculous and a nonsensical detail.

There are hundreds of computer manufactures - better said - hundreds of companies who put parts together to make computers. All of them use Intel, Texas Instruments, and dozens of other chip manufactures. Dell and Apple use an Intel processors, does that mean Dell or Intel makes Apple computers? - No. Apple is unique because what they design around those chips. Nikon is no different.

I believe Sony uses ASML steppers. If they used Nikon's then all of Nikon's sensors would be made by Sony, but they are not. Carl-Zeiss also has a relationship with ASML which is also dating Sony.

I hear a lot of people complain that Nikon uses Sony's sensors, albeit, redesigned and tweaked to Nikon's specifications.

But does Sony use Nikon's Stepper and other precision equipment to make those sensors?

So in turn wouldn't that mean Nikon does make it's own sensors?

Food for thought.