Sony has announced that it will be teaming up with Fujitsu to create future image sensors that are used both in DSLRs and mobile phones worldwide. Although all design and R&D will still be done in-house at Sony of Japan, Fujitsu will be actually manufacturing some of those sensors, although it’s not clear which sensors Sony will continue to manufacture and which ones Fujitsu will make.

This deal comes at a time of tough global competition and economics in which Sony hopes it can cut costs. This deal will also allow Sony to continue its image sensor business and provide its clients with a steady flow of production while “keeping production costs in check and safeguarding its proprietary technologies in Japan.” Last month, Sony announced that it’s investing 40 billion yen ($479 million) on its Japan-based plants in order to keep up with demand. Fujitsu is expected to start handling some of production as early as March and continue to ramp up as needed.

[Via Reuters]