Originally posted by Mistral75 Sony IMX492 is a sensor designed for surveillance, factory automation cameras and industrial cameras with 12-bit A/D converters instead of 14-bit or 16-bit in photography sensors.
Besides its aspect ratio is close to 1.5:1 and not 1.33:1 (4/3).
The reason why Sony is noting the application as industrial and surveillance is of contract issues.
They have probably signed contracts with Panasonic and olympus already.
They hope to sell some more to other markets. See, Sony sets special deals with terms with different camera manufactures because they want to be able to control the market.
Buy setting the applications they can deny any company buy these sensors for camera applications without special terms.
The IMX299 used in the GH5S also lists for industrial/surveillance
https://www.sony-semicon.co.jp/products/common/pdf/IMX299CJK_Flyer.pdf
For the 12 bit part. Most m43 sensors are 12bit not 14/16
For example the IMX272 used in GH5/G9
https://www.sony-semicon.co.jp/products/common/pdf/IMX272AQK_Flyer.pdf
So this sensor will probably arrive for the GH6 and in a PDAF version for The E-m1 mkIII
The reason it is of non classical m43 dimensions is that it is a slightly oversized sensor with the corners out of the image circle. In that way they can choose multi aspect ratio without cropping. Both 4/3 and 17:9 in the same sensor.