Olympus has reportedly agreed with Sony for a capital tie-up that will make the electronics giant the largest shareholder in the struggling camera and medical equipment maker, according to industry sources. Sony's injection of about 50 billion yen ($625 million) will give it a more than 10 percent stake in Olympus, the Asahi Shimbun newspaper reported on Friday. Sony will also send a board member to the company, the report added.

The two firms also decided to set up a joint company this year to develop and manufacture endoscopes and to conclude a business tie-up in the camera business.

Trough the capital and business alliance with Sony, Olympus would further sharpen its technological edge for medical endoscopes and improve te performance of its money-losing digital camera operation. For Sony, an agreement would give the company more access to the growing medical sector and also help the company offset its money-losing television production business.