Nikon Firmware Development Now Under Nikon Imaging Systems

As digital cameras become more and more advanced, the competition between camera manufacturers steadily becomes stiffer and stiffer. The bar is set high and each company puts a lot of effort in staying on top.

And that’s probably one of the biggest reasons why an unlikely partnership formed between the biggest names in the industry: photography giant Nikon Corporation with its subsidiary, Nikon Systems, Inc., (which have been developing all the firmware installed in Nikon digital cameras to date) and electronics manufacturer Fujitsu Broad Solution & Consulting, Inc. The two companies established a new joint company, which is now known as Nikon Imaging Systems. The company is expected to hire a hundred employees. And beginning in August 1 of this year, all firmware development and production of interchangeable lenses for Nikon cameras will be under this new company.

Nikon Imaging Systems was formed for the sole purpose of developing firmware for Nikon cameras. The goal is to make use of both companies’ strengths—expertise in mechatronics control and image processing technologies of Nikon Corporation and Nikon Systems, and the resources and software technology of Fujitsu—to produce top-quality digital camera firmware in a shorter span of time.

Cameras nowadays are constantly being upgraded. Every few months or so, a new camera with even more incredible features than the previous models comes out. With this news, we can be sure that this trend won’t stop anytime soon–companies like Nikon will keep on looking for and making ways to improve and upgrade their products, and so, we can expect more advanced photography (yes, better than the ones we have now) from them soon.

Here’s an outline of the new company:

Name of the company: Nikon Imaging Systems Inc.

Date of establishment: Scheduled for July 1, 2009

Start of operations: Scheduled for August 1, 2009

Location of head office: 6-3, Nishi-Ohi 1-chome, Shinagawa-Ku, Tokyo

President: Toshiyuki Tsukiji

Capital: ¥95,000,000

Ratio of investment: 70% from Nikon Systems Inc., 30% from Fujitsu BSC

Board structure: 4 officers from Nikon Corporation/Nikon Systems Inc., 1 officer from Fujitsu BSC

Number of employees: Approximately 100

Main business: Development of firmware for Nikon digital cameras and interchangeable lenses