Nikon Expeed CMOS Censor?

Question

I've noticed that the new Nikon DSLR like D300 and D3 are using new Nikon made CMOS called EXPEED. I've read from somewhere as well that the previous nikon Digital cameras are using Sony's made censor. I've always asked the Nikon shops why Nikon, who reputed to make good Cameras doesn't produce their own Censor, and the answer I've always got was that there's no need to as it is better to buy what other manufacturers are good at making and already spent loads of money researching on it already than developing themselves. Here we are the EXPEED. What do you think?

Answer 1

Expeed is not a sensor, it's an image processor (like Sony's Bionz or Canon's Digic).

Nikon has produced only one sensor: the JFET (very close to CMOS) found in the D2H.
Why? It's too expensive!
D3 and D300 sensors are made by Sony.

Answer 2

Nikon gets Sony to make their sensors, yes. If you think about it, it's better to get the monkeys to do the work and spend that time doing more research and development.

And as for Expeed, that's the name of the image processor, not the sensor. And seriously, it's not much different from the last one and the one before that and the one before that. It's just a bit faster and has some different image curves programmed into it. But this only affects jpegs. If you shoot raw, it doesn't matter what processor is running it. The images will come out exactly the same. Another way of looking at it is to think of the processor as a built in Photoshop. Expeed is just an upgraded version.

Answer 3

Yeah, the new "Nikon" CMOS sensors appeared simultaneous to the Sony a700 with it's new 12 MP CMOS sensor. Nikon handles the information gathered by the sensor in different ways using their "EXPEED" processor.

Nikon has almost 60 years of experience with cameras and OPTICS. Sony has almost as many years of experience with electronics. Why not let each company do the work in their area of expertise? Sony bought out a camera company and they buy their lenses from other companies. Nikon buys some of their electronics from Sony. That's all. No need to reinvent the wheel when you can customize one that already exists to your needs.