Nikon Files Patent for an Interchangeable Sensor Camera

Golf007sd

What are your thought on this course of action by Nikon...or other manufacture that might go this route?

Nikon Files Patent for an Interchangeable Sensor Camera.

This was first brought to our attention by Admin on September 27, but wanted to bring it up for discussion on our new forum. For those that want to read what other had to say, here is our conversation in the past on the old forum.

TaoTeJared

I'm not sure what to think of that or how much of a possibility that would work. So much of the system is the dance between the Sensor, Buffer, & Processor that I'm not sure you could really just replace the sensor for something like upgrades. I could see it for same "model release versions" as in to be able to swap the 16mp sensor and 36mp sensors of the D800/D4. (Same parts, just different sensors, (and firmware.)

It is interesting, but too much of each generation of a system is upgraded for it to make since at this time. I'm chalking that patent up to "better do it before someone else does" category.

PB_PM

I doubt this would be useful to us as consumers. I think the idea is simply to make it easier for Nikon to build and repair cameras. It would allow them to use the same body, chipsets, LCDs etc, but put in different sensors to differentiate them.

While interchangeable sensors make a modular design possible, it isn't overly practical for long term use. Why? When a new camera is released users get more benefits than just a new sensor and firmware. Newer, smaller, lower power chipsets are also included.

Photobug

I read the announcement on the patent and thought...what benefit is there for me or the typical consumer. This has got to be more expensive, so why would you do this?

For me, right now I don't see an advantage for me.

Symphotic

Custom sensors for different applications. We tried this years ago, building various CTD sensors that we could mount in the removable backs of film cameras. Some sensors we optimized for dynamic range using non destructive readout of individual pixels, and others we optimized for radiation tolerance or infrared sensitivity, etc.
For general photography, I would love to be able to change sensors for the type of shooting, just like we used to be able to change film.

sevencrossing

I think the idea of a D4 that could have its current 16 mp sensor, Interchangeable with a 36 mp sensor from a D800 would be very attractive

would I buy one? I think so

Ironheart

Every sensor is a series of trade offs. If you want to do IR, Solar, or X-ray etc.. you need a specialty sensor for ideal results. Think of how much money you can spend, er I mean fun you can have :-)