Sony inks deal to acquire Toshiba’s image sensor business, facilities

This week has been acquisition galore. First, the rumor of Nikon buying out Samsung’s NX sensor business (which has since been denied by the latter of the two), then came news that Phase One acquired Mamiya for its medium format technology.

Today, Sony announced it has inked a deal that solidifies a $154 million buyout of Toshiba’s image sensor business.

Sony first mentioned their desire to acquire Toshiba’s sensor business, but since then all has been quiet.

According to the press release announcing the acquisition, Toshiba will ‘transfer semiconductor fabrication facilities, equipment and related assets of Toshiba’s 300mm wafer production line, mainly located at its Oita Operations facility, to Sony Semiconductor as part of the deal.’

For those working in Toshiba’s sensor business, they will be offered positions at Sony if they choose to pursue them.

Both companies are known for providing image sensors to other camera manufacturers, it’ll be interesting to see how this acquisition will play out. As noted by DPReview, Only Canon and Samsung remain manufacturers of their own APS-C (and smaller) sensors.

This leaves the rest of the digital photography world fighting for Sony’s sensor tech.

[via DPReview]