Though it's not a total surprise -- Sigma has been using Foveon's unconventional three-layer imaging sensors in its cameras for years -- the company announced this week it has purchased the California-based sensor manufacturer for an undisclosed sum. Sigma first started using Foveon's X3 sensors -- which stack Red, Green, and Blue pixels in each pixel location -- back in 2002 when the company unveiled the Sigma SD9 digital SLR at PMA 2002. Sigma has subsequently released several DSLRs -- the SD15 being the latest -- along with two compact fixed lens cameras, the DP1 and DP2, which use the X3 sensors.

Foveon X3 sensors -- which have their proponents and detractors -- are designed to mimic the look of film by directly capturing three layers of red, green, and blue light at each point in an image during exposure. A "Bayer-pattern" sensor such as a typical CMOS or a CCD captures red, green, and blue separately at different photo sites which are then reconstructed through interpolation to create color.   -- Dan Havlik


Press Release

Sigma Corporation Acquires Three-layer Image Sensor Developer Foveon, Inc.

Kawasaki, Japan, November 11th, 2008 - Sigma Corporation (Location: Kawasaki, Japan) has acquired 100% of the stock of the company that developed the original three-layer image sensor, Foveon Inc. Foveon will continue its sensor development operations in San Jose, CA, USA.

Foveon made history when it developed and patented the world’s first three-layer image capture technology, placing a stack of RGB pixels in each pixel location. As a result, Foveon sensors detect all three primary colors in every pixel location, producing images that are sharper and have significantly reduced image artifacts compared to competing image sensor technologies.

Since Sigma first worked with Foveon in 2000, both companies have enjoyed a cooperative working relationship directed toward developing highly-efficient DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras and compact digital cameras which take the best advantage of the X3 sensor technology. Sigma Corporation has employed Foveon’s technology in its entire digital camera line, producing images which are acclaimed by both amateur and professional photographers all over the world for their high resolution and for their three-dimensional look. Both the latest DLSR, the SD14, and the compact DP1 camera - which packs the full spec of a DSLR into a compact camera - have met with similar acclaim. Two additional Sigma camera products based on Foveon’s image sensor technology have been announced for 2009.

The acquisition of Foveon will not only enhance the development of new types of image sensors for high quality digital cameras, but will also create a synergistic effect with Sigma’s camera and lens business by improving the integration between the camera and sensor. This will result in camera products which will uniquely meet the widely ranging functional and image quality needs of demanding photographers.

As the digital camera market continues to expand, Foveon and Sigma will continuously evolve and improve the X3 sensor technology, thus expanding the company’s photography-related business. In addition, Sigma remains firmly committed to preserving and nurturing the culture of photography.

More information
More information about Foveon, Inc. can be found at www.foveon.com.