Hope shimmer system cameras

Sony reports in its annual report for the first quarter of the current fiscal year a decrease in the operating result by 77.2 percent to 6.3 billion yen (about 65 million euros). The result is impacted by the unfavorable exchange rate development and overall higher ongoing costs. The areas “Home Entertainment & Sound” (TV) and “Mobile Products & Communications” have developed negatively. The “Imaging Products & Solutions” division is more positive. Here Sony reports black numbers and good prospects.


High quality digital cameras asked


At Imaging Products & Solutions, sales rose by 7.6 percent compared to the same quarter of the previous year to 193.80 billion yen (approximately 2 billion euros). Operating profit remained stable at 12.6 billion yen (about 160 million euros), up 1.0% year-on-year. For the full fiscal year, Sony expects revenues and significantly improved profit in the Imaging Products & Solutions division. As a reason, Sony calls significantly higher sales due to the growing demand for system cameras with interchangeable lenses, ie mirrorless, SLR and SLT cameras. In the broadcast and professional sectors, sales also increased compared to the previous quarter, which was characterized by the impact of the Japanese earthquake and nuclear disaster.


Investments in sensors


In the digital imaging market, the market for digital compact cameras is shrinking, but the market for smartphones with camera functions is growing, which is reflected in the results of the previous quarter, according to the assessment in Sony's annual report. In response, the company is seeking to strengthen its offer in the growth areas of high-end compact digital cameras and system cameras with interchangeable lenses.


Sony's digital imaging technology also benefits from its current technologies in image sensors, signal processors, and lenses. In the past quarter, the image sensor business contributed not only to the success of Sony's products, but also to sales to other manufacturers.


In order to consolidate Sony's position in the market, the company opted for additional investments in an expansion of production capacity with the aim of further increasing profits. Above all, the production capacity of so-called "stacked" CMOS image sensors with high efficiency and compact design is to be increased in order to meet the growing demand of the market for high-resolution image sensors for mobile devices such as digital cameras, smartphones and tablets