On April 14th and 16th, 2016, earthquakes struck the Kumamoto region, causing significant disruption to semiconductor production at several plants in the “Silicon Island” area. Sony’s image sensor manufacturing is also impacted.

The ongoing seismic activity resulted in numerous casualties and building damage across Kumamoto. This forced local businesses to deal with immediate consequences alongside recovery efforts from natural disasters. SVS-Vistek maintains strong partnerships throughout Japan, sending solidarity to those affected by these events.

Kumamoto serves as a key production site for Sony’s cutting-edge CMOS sensors, widely used in consumer devices and industrial applications alike. The recent earthquakes have halted the manufacturing of all relevant IMX CMOS sensors essential for machine vision systems. Sony is actively assessing damage to expedite its restructuring plan.

While network intelligence from sensor distributors combined with Japanese contacts provides insights into recovery timelines, no precise forecast exists yet regarding when production can fully resume. Resuming sufficient volumes likely requires several months before supply chain availability normalizes again.

SVS-Vistek has incorporated the currently available IMX sensors into our EXO series lineup while maintaining commitment to develop new 9 and 12 Mpx models with a resolution of up to 1.1”. This completes our comprehensive range of IMX sensor products.

Sony CCD Production Continues Unaffected

Notably, Sony’s CCD sensor production remains operational despite the disruptions affecting CMOS technology facilities. Before fully transitioning toward CMOS solutions, Sony introduced its latest “state-of-the-art” CCD series featuring 3, 6, 9 and 12 MP capabilities up to a maximum image size of 1”. Availability of CCD-based cameras like our ECO2 models with GigE interfaces shows no current restrictions. The ICX CCD sensors powering the EXO line operate effectively in four-tap mode via CameraLink UBS 3 connections achieving peak imaging performance.

For detailed product information or alternatives, please reach out to our sales team who will promptly assist you with tailored solutions minimizing interruption to your operations. We extend best wishes for regional recovery while supporting customers and partners through these challenging times.

Last Updated: 2025-09-05 03:52:24