Nikon farms out firmware

Nikon has found a way to improve the quality of the firmware in its cameras: Create a new company. Along with Fujitsu BSC, Nikon has created a new, independent company dedicated exclusively to developing firmware for all Nikon digital cameras. The Tokyo-based new company, called Nikon Imaging Systems, Inc., was established on July 1 and will begin operations on August 1.

Firmware, which is the software that controls a digital camera's hardware, has become increasingly important as digital cameras carry increasingly sophisticated internal computing systems and high-tech features.

Nikon's goal for Nikon Systems, Inc. is for the company to churn out better firmware faster, by "merging the long experienced mechatronics control and image processing technologies established in Nikon Corporation and Nikon Systems Inc. with the software technology, know-how, and resources provided by Fujitsu BSC. Until now, all Nikon firmware has been created by Nikon Systems Inc, which was until July 1 a fully-owned subsidiary of Nikon, Inc.