Samsung working up full-frame CMOS sensor for pro DSLR?

Go on and grab your salt shaker, as this rumor just isn't fit to digest without a few dashes. According to information gathered by Amateur Photographer during an "informal discussion with [Kyong-Kook Shin] at an industry event in Seoul, Korea," Samsung could be developing a full-frame CMOS imaging sensor. As the story goes, said sensor would eventually be housed in an undisclosed "professional DSLR," but as of now, the device has only reached the design stage. When Sammy's UK branch was contacted about the whispers, it refused to confirm, but commercial director Robert King did note that the company was "committed to the DSLR market" and would "continue to invest in R&D in this important market sector." Yeah, it's all shaky at best, but we can't pretend we aren't a wee bit giddy just thinking about it.

[Via 1001 Noisy Cameras]

[Powercube @ Apr 11th 2008 6:20PM]

Doesn't Samsung make Nikon's CMOS' as well?

[Matt @ Apr 11th 2008 6:20PM]

I think Nikon makes their own FF sensor. Sony used to make all their CCD sensors. I'm not sure about the new CMOS sensor that is in the D300.

[Powercube @ Apr 11th 2008 6:22PM]

I think the D300 is Samsung, but I have no idea why

[Powercube @ Apr 11th 2008 6:31PM]

Yup, it's "based" on the same censor as the Sony A700

[brian t @ Apr 11th 2008 6:39PM]

Nikon gets their sensors from Sony. Pentax used to, until the K20D.

[Temple @ Apr 11th 2008 7:15PM]

Sony makes Nikon's sensors, however the D3 sensor is designed by Nikon themselves and fabricated by Sony. The D300 and Alpha700 share the same sensor. So expect the 25-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor that Sony announced to be in a Nikon sooner or later.

[John Smith @ Apr 12th 2008 12:42AM]

What about lenses? I doubt Samsung will make a full frame camera because they do not have the lenses. All they have now is too small to fill a full frame.

Perhaps they could use a Nikon or Canon mount?

[Jim F @ Apr 12th 2008 9:22AM]

Re: John's comments about full-frame lenses.

Samsung uses the Pentax K-mount Pentax has a few FA and DFA lenses in production right now that are designed for full-frame -- the 31mm, 43mm, and 77mm Limiteds; the DFA 100mm Macro and DFA 50mm Macro, and the FA 50mm. There are also a few consumer zooms that have yet to dry up, supply wise, although they are not actively being produced.

Additionally, the DA 40, DA 70, and (I believed) DA* 200mm will all cover a full-frame image circle on film. I know digital sensors behave differently with direct light versus angled light, so we'll take that with a grain of salt.

You can also get adapters to mount Pentax 645 and 67 (medium format) lenses on the K-mount -- which would most certainly cover a 35mm image circle.

Pentax would certainly have to bring back some older lens designs to complement this camera, but I have a feeling that there would be a lot of financial incentive from Samsung to do this -- they are going after Sony, after all.

And of course, the D3 has shown us how you can make a full frame body work with APS-C lenses.

I, for one, would love to replace the K10D with a full-frame body. I'm sure I'm not alone in that regard. I've even been holding off on the K20D upgrade to see what's coming out next.

[Shaocaholica @ Apr 11th 2008 6:38PM]

Sony still makes all the sensors for Nikon. Even the new D300 12MP and D3 12MP-Full-Frame although Nikon probably did a lot of design of the full frame sensor, they simply don't have the facilities to actually manufacture them. Kind of like how Nvidia designs all their GPUs but its actually another company TSMC, that actually makes them.

There's no way Nikon would subcontract to Samsung when they have a long history with Sony.

If anyone wants to contest this, please show some facts.

[Powercube @ Apr 11th 2008 6:46PM]

You're right, I had what one would call an "brain-fart" it's Pentax/Samsung, Sony/Nikon. Who does Canon turn to?

[Kris S. @ Apr 11th 2008 7:10PM]

It will be called the Pentax K1D or K2D, a full frame DSLR monster from Pentax. Yes, Pentax.

[ford @ Apr 11th 2008 8:28PM]

What about their Foveon sensor? A "full frame" Foveon sensor would really be news.

Conversely, would a cmos sensor mark the end of their Foveon exploits?

[Shaocaholica @ Apr 11th 2008 8:39PM]

What are you talking about?

I don't think Samsung has anything to do with Foveon. There's not a single Samsung camera that uses a Foveon sensor and they surely don't have anything to do with the design/manufacture of them.

[DerekPowell @ Apr 11th 2008 11:00PM]

Canon makes all their own sensors, always has afaik

[Cunthor @ Apr 12th 2008 6:29AM]

Not in the point and shoots though, that is also Sony.

[Powercube @ Apr 12th 2008 12:01AM]

Sigma DP-1, much? Okay, yeah, Foveon sensor :(

[Faye @ Apr 12th 2008 7:55AM]

Wow, Canon, Nikon, Sony (Minolta), Samsong (Pentax),
who is next? who has a full series of SLR interchangable lens?

[Za @ Apr 12th 2008 1:25PM]

Sigma and Tamron, if I understood your question correctly? They make lenses for most stuff out there, though I don't think Tamron makes lenses for the Sigma mount. I use a Sigma 17-70 on my Pentax and one of my exes uses the same lens on her Canon.