Sony Officially Buys Toshiba's Image Sensor Business

Rumored in late October, Sony has officially purchased Toshiba’s image sensor business for a cool 19 billion yen, or around $155 million. This move can only be seen as a healthy sign for Sony who has struggled so much in the past. By making large purchases, it shows that not only are the company’s financial fortunes turning around which would allow them to make such a move, but that they’re now able to move past defensive plays like stabilizing divisions and instead focus on future outlooks and strategic initiatives.

More details after the jump.

Spun off as a wholly-owned subsidiary called the Sony Semiconductor Corporation, Sony will be purchasing Toshiba’s CMOS fabrication facilities and in doing so, remove one of their primary competitors. Nearly 1,100 employees will be transferred to Sony by March 31st, 2016. Sony’s image sensors can currently be found in smartphones from Apple and Xiaomi while powering Nikon and Sony DSLR cameras.

It’s worth pointing out that Sony believes in its digital imaging business so much that they teaming up with Japanese robotics firm ZMP to create Aerosens, a drone company in order to show off and sell their image sensors to larger drone makers like Google, Amazon, and Facebook to name a few. This move will also ensure Sony’s dominance in the market as Apple and Xiaomi continue to corner the market and once-giants like Samsung (whom never purchase Sony sensors anyways) continue to lose traction along side LG, HTC, and Lenovo. Like Sony, the later 3 companies never enjoyed much market share but have even less of it now, especially HTC.

From smart cars, to mobile devices and robotics, more and more of our devices will be reliant on powerful imaging sensors and with Sony as one of the few players who can deliver quality sensors in large quantities, this move seems like a no brainer that will pay off in strides in years to come. Nicely done Sony.