Sigma introduced its Foveon sensor in 2002, which changed the way people think about camera sensors. However, since 2018, the company has decided to launch a full frame Foveon version, and it appears that the launch is far closer than it may seem. Per a new report, Sigma spoke about the sensor at CP+ 2026, with CEO Kazuto Yamaki delivering an update on the long-awaited technology. Here’s a look.
According to +Digital, a Japanese technology news portal, CEO Kazuto Yamaki gave a candid interview about Foveon‘s future. He revealed that the team has made substantial strides since last year, and that “compared to last year, progress has been made, and the problems are narrowing,” as the CEO said in the article.
The Foveon sensor uses a partner company for production, but the company can’t manufacture wafers frequently due to the time-consuming process. For the uninitiated, Foveon uses a three-layer X3 architecture. In other words, it relies on capturing full RGB data per pixel to deliver vivid colors, contrast, and resolution. It’s much different from standard Bayer sensors.
However, despite the challenges, Yamaki says that Sigma may ‘be able to move on to the next stage this year.” The next stage, in this article, means the actual phase of manufacturing the sensor. Commercial sales are not yet underway, but the company is closer to finalizing the prototype, which could further accelerate timelines. Overall, President Yamaki adds, “An important point is whether we can bring it to market as something that has value in today’s world.”
It is pretty clear that 8 years is a pretty long time for a sensor to develop. However, good things take time, and the biggest obstacle given the current world scenarios is to keep the device cost-effective for today’s market. In fact, as our Gear Editor Feroz Khan pointed out in another article:
That, and the fact that currently, they’re more expensive to produce and harder to process. I suppose only a tiny niche of the photography market would be willing to pay more for these added benefits, which doesn’t make it so appealing for manufacturers to mass-produce Foveon sensors.
While Foveon is not exactly perfect, it is a technology that can push the mirrorless camera market to a newer height. Years ago, they worked a lot more like film and CCD sensors in that you had to keep the ISO really low.
There is also a better chance that it helps to redefine medium format cameras, such as Fujifilm GFX, which has also been trying to surpass Hasselblad and Phase One. It remains to be seen whether Sigma manages to unveil it at 2027’s CP+, or if they will continue to make us wait more.