>>3138644>years lateThere was no other option.
Sony right now has two camera related companies, Sony Semiconductor, and Sony Imaging.
The 42MP sensor was owned by Sony Imaging. So Nikon couldn't simply just buy it from Sony Semiconductor.
Nikon had to spend these last 2 years buying the necessary licenses for Backside illumination sensor, and developing a new sensor up from scratch, before Sony Semiconducter can manufacture it for them.
The downside is it took them 2 whole years, and a lot of money sunk into lincenses and development.
The upside is this is now Nikon's own sensor, and no other company can purchase that 45MP sensor from the foundry without their permission.
