<p>The big camera companies get criticized fairly often for failing to innovate, but Nikon at least has been giving us a lot to write about recently in the patent department. Case in point: the Japanese company has just filed a patent for a camera that will allow you to swap out, not lenses, but sensors.</p><p>Of course, this isn't a new idea. Medium format cameras have allowed photographers to switch out backs since the film days. What is new is that Nikon is thinking of doing this in a DSLR-style body if the diagrams are to be trusted:</p><p>By the looks of it, the back will open up and allow you to swap out a "sensor unit" of some sort. No need to DIY alter your sensor at home, you could just swap in a black and white sensor or IR sensor whenever you're in the mood.</p><p>The patent was unearthed by the folks over at Nikon Rumors, who also made sure to point out that this isn't the first time a Nikon patent like this has been filed. Back in 2010, two different patents (1 and 2) for similar innovations came up, although both seemed to be for mirrorless cameras.</p><p><a href="http://petapixel.com/2013/09/30/nikon-files-patent-interchangeable-sensor-camera/">Keep reading...</a></p><p>Read also:</p><p><a href="http://www.thephoblographer.com/2013/09/30/nikons-latest-patent-shows-off-an-interchangeable-sensor-camera/">Nikon's Latest Patent Shows Off an Interchangeable Sensor Camera</a> (The Phoblographer (blog))</p><p><a href="http://www.ubergizmo.com/2013/09/nikon-patent-hints-at-camera-with-interchangeable-sensors/">Nikon Patent Hints At Camera With Interchangeable Sensors</a> (Ubergizmo)</p><p>Explore: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=doDhn7D5Gv-BG8MlcnbeuwKD1WtbM&ned=us">3 additional articles.</a></p>
