The devastating earthquake in Kumamoto last month is wreaking havoc to the camera industry, as the Sony imaging sensor factory situated in that prefecture is still closed, and its closure is effecting manufacturers such as Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic and even Sony themselves.
Reports shared by Sony stated that the factory will be closed until the end of May, to facilitate cleaning and restoration efforts. This closure is something to be worried about as Sony is the major sensor supplier to many camera manufacturers, and many brands are delaying their launch or deliveries of new products thanks to the closure of the plant.
Nikon, which relies heavily on Sony for their sensor, is now delaying their new compact prosumer range, the DL series, as well as possible delays from Olympus and Panasonic – both of which uses sensors from Sony for their micro Four Thirds and compact cameras.
While the disruption may look minimal, the domino effect can’t be discounted as the companies may miss crucial shopping dates, and will affect the company’s bottom line in the medium term.
[Source]
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