Is it time for Canon to use Sony sensors?

It's obvious the Sony sensors are superior to Canon's. Sony, Olympus, NIkon and Pentax are using them and they are really eating Canon's lunch in all the image quality reviews.

So do you think Canon can release a sensor that good, soon? Or is it time to use Sony sensors? Is it worth the humble pie of admitting you can't match Sony? Would it be worthwhile to do so even for a short while until you can catch up?

Just curious what your thoughts are.

Panasonic has recently found a way to get rid of the Bayer filter. If this pans out it will result in a full stop of sensitivity improvement and MUCH lower noise on top of it.

I would not be surprised in the slightest if one of the reasons Canon did NOT switch was that they are involved in advanced development of something better.

The goal is to leapfrog the competition, not match them.

tickerguy wrote in post #15575602
The goal is to leapfrog the competition, not match them.

Agreed, but if it takes too long you start to bleed customers. At what point do you say, "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em"?

I don't think 1/2 stop of ISO performance is worth retooling a supply chain. At these quality levels, it comes down to which camera I'd rather use, not which one has a higher quality sensor (looking at 1DX vs. D4, for example). I'm sure Canon's margins are better using their own sensors.

Are customers really taking a look at the 1DX and deciding not to buy because of image quality?

We should all hope as consumers; as long as Canon is close enough to be competitive (They are competitive now; especially with high iso, if not pure resolution), that Canon remains independent as long as possible for the overall market health going forward.

If Sony monopolized the high end; impetus for improvement/further research stops; and we would all suffer through weaker future generations until some disruption came through (see IE6 for a direct example).

Will Canon catch up in the near future? I don't know; but it's close enough now I wouldn't want them to consider it.

I dread the day Canon decides to use a sony sensor.

waterrockets wrote in post #15575622
Are customers really taking a look at the 1DX and deciding not to buy because of image quality?

I don't know about that one, but at the 650D-5Dmk3 level they are. Especially dynamic range and shadow noise performance. Canon isn't really behind on high ISO noise at the max ISOs or at least not enough to matter.

JohnThomas wrote in post #15575662
I dread the day Canon decides to use a sony sensor.

Why would that be? A lot of electronics use bits and pieces from other companies in their own final products. I believe the new nikon is using a toshiba chip

Above it was stated the d4 has about half stop better than the 1dx in ISO but I think it is over 2 stops better in dynamic range which in todays world of 200000+ ISO figure seems to be the real deciding factor for real world photograps

w0m wrote in post #15575640
If Sony monopolized the high end; impetus for improvement/further research stops; and we would all suffer through weaker future generations until some disruption came through (see IE6 for a direct example).

Very good point.

jaomul wrote in post #15575690
Why would that be? A lot of electronics use bits and pieces from other companies in their own final products. I believe the new nikon is using a toshiba chip

Above it was stated the d4 has about half stop better than the 1dx in ISO but I think it is over 2 stops better in dynamic range which in todays world of 200000+ ISO figure seems to be the real deciding factor for real world photograps

I understand that Sony chips have greater dynamic range than Canon chips, but I would MUCH rather see Canon find a way to meet or beat the performance of sony sensors. If Canon gave up and said screw it, just use the Sony sensor, I would feel like I was cheated on. For whatever reason, I am proud that Canon uses their own sensor.

COME ON CANON!!

JohnThomas wrote in post #15575662
I dread the day Canon decides to use a sony sensor.

Me too.To me Nikons are generally too contrasty (almost comical) especcially the D70-D90 cameras but the newer ones also but not as much.I like the color rendition on Canon's better.I'm sure someone will mention how much better the Sony DR is but for my kind of shooting it's really not a issue.

I wish we could have more DR, but it´s not thaaaat important to me and my style of shooting.
If it was my call, I´d spend more $$ in lens development (sharper, lighter, faster focusing, more precise) and AF sensor development than in sensor.

Most of my shots are lost due to misfocusing than for lack of DR.

tkbslc wrote in post #15575569
It's obvious the Sony sensors are superior to Canon's. Sony, Olympus, NIkon and Pentax are using them and they are really eating Canon's lunch in all the image quality reviews.

Just curious what your thoughts are.

I am not so sure that Sony's sensors are superior to Canon's best sensor.

I consider the 1Dx, Canon's flagship DSLR. For this body, Canon finally made a great sensor. According to some real-world reviews, this sensor is at least as good as any Sony has produced. Trouble is, it seems like Canon has decided that they will not offer a sensor that good in any less expensive body.

So, it seems as if Canon is finally able to make a sensor that is equal to Sony's best . . . but they have decided to only make it available to those who will pay $7,000 for a body.

Hence, it seems that Canon is capable of making world-class DSLR sensors, but that marketing decisions will keep it from ever being used by the masses, while Sony/Nikon will gladly put some of their best sensor technology into prosumer grade bodies that anyone can afford.

Canon is good at making sensors. But they are even better at making profits, and that will keep most of us from ever being able to use their better stuff.

Canon's sales don't appear to be worrying Canon at the moment. The 6d is selling very well. The 7dii will most likely sell really well. The 70d will most likely sell really well. The 5d3 will sell even better as the price drops over the next couple of years. Many reviews say the 1Dx has the best AF on a DSLR to date, and many sports shooters would rather GET the shot than have better DR on a missed shot.

The "average" consumer doesn't talk about pushing shadows, dynamic range, or banding. They are concerned with ease of use, reliability, and quality photos. IF they become interested enough to go up the line in bodies, they will probably already be comfortable with Canon and have a few lenses which make sticking with Canon pretty simple to do.

It's not until they go on forums that they start hearing about how horrible their camera is or how crappy Canon sensors are

BrickR wrote in post #15576022
...It's not until they go on forums that they start hearing about how horrible their camera is or how crappy Canon sensors are

HAHA!! It's so true. This forum is filled with people who stand by Canon products and even make a living with them, but are so quick to rip them apart! I love it! Its a love/hate relationship.