Foveon, the company that makes film-like digital camera sensors using three stacked photosensitive layers (instead of putting the RGB pixels next to each other on one slice the way most imaging chip makers do it) has been bought by third-party lens maker and sometime camera manufacturer, Sigma.
Sigma's cameras have been using the innovative Foveon lenses for some time, so the buyout is a natural fit. Sigma justifies its purchase in the manner of a photographer justifying a new lens by saying it will make him better. Try not to fall asleep while reading:
This corporate nonsense might actually make some sense. Foveon chips are very promising, especially the for sharp, low-light and lower pixel density trend we're currently seeing. And Sigma makes some great lenses, but its camera offering, while solid, has never quite fulfilled its promise. The marrying of the two could bring some real innovation. We're thinking compact, fixed lens, Leica-beating rangefinders or cheap, big-chipped compacts. Wishful thinking, of course, but Sigma is certainly known for making some odd but compelling products.
Press release [DP Review]
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