Sony's Advanced Amateur Alpha DSLR in the wild?

We didn't think Sony's Advanced Amateur Alpha was in any shape to show around town, but this pic of what's supposedly just that camera was shot at last week's Nikon D3 and D300 launch event. You know, if we were Sony and trying to psych out Nikon, we might also consider seeding our pre-release DSLR to press attending the launch of the competitor's newest high end product. Just a thought.

[Thanks Douglas, image by sscslee]

[wWw @ Aug 26th 2007 4:01PM]

**** YEAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! :D
I'VE BEEN WAITING MORE THAN 7 MONTHS FOR THIS.

[Charlie Calhoun @ Aug 26th 2007 4:01PM]

Does it play Doom?

[tigs @ Aug 26th 2007 4:14PM]

Humor: 0
Originality: 0
Chances of getting "Lowest Ranked": 10

[Joe @ Aug 26th 2007 4:15PM]

I'm a proud owner of the Sony Alpha A100 10.2 MP Camera and I highly recommend it. I've been monitoring it on Amazon and it's dropped in price to $608.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Alpha-10-2MP-Digital-Camera/dp/B000DZFWL4/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/105-3683040-6310053?tag=freeplefav-20

[Alex @ Aug 26th 2007 4:17PM]

The only thing i find annoying about the Sony/minolta mount is the lens prices! >=( otherwise a very good camera is a100.

[Shaocaholica @ Aug 26th 2007 4:17PM]

I hope that Sony and Nikon bring on some competition to Canon and drive the DSLR market into cheaper and better products.

[Geir E @ Aug 26th 2007 4:39PM]

I think that already have happened. Canon had to do a real update to the 30d (compared to the 20d to 30d) and had to release the 400d to combat the competition. So this is good news for anyone using any brand.

I am one that looks forward to this cam.

[Temple @ Aug 27th 2007 2:38AM]

It should use the same sensor as the Nikon D300.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/20/sonys-12-47-megapixel-aps-c-sensor-captures-10-4-fps-sorry-eo/

[Tim @ Aug 26th 2007 5:18PM]

Anyone else see the irony of a fuzzy "caught in the wild" photo of a Sony DSLR?

[Lobo @ Aug 26th 2007 5:30PM]

Well not hugely surprising it was seen at the Nikon launch and hardely psyching out considering that Sony and Nikon have an ongoing business relationship, the D300 uses a Sony made sensor....

[Cunthor @ Aug 26th 2007 6:09PM]

Dont think this will hurt Nikon - no professional will be caught dead with a Sony d-slr however capable it might seem. It will however jab Canon in the eye, since 40D is ok, but nothing spectacular - and only increase the competition at consumer level d-slr.

[humpty @ Aug 26th 2007 9:18PM]

I'd stick with Nikon dSLRs; they use Sony imaging sensors, have better ergonomics, better flash and accessories, and (and) the Nikon lens line up is light years ahead of Sony's (and cheaper).

The reason to get a Sony is the in camera image stablisation.

[Pete Fang @ Aug 26th 2007 9:18PM]

Was this picture taken at the huge Nikon D3/D300 press event in Tokyo? The badge in the picture clearly shows a name in Korean. Maybe it was at the event in Korea.

[Temple @ Aug 27th 2007 2:42AM]

Its from Nikon's Korean press event.

More pictures
http://bayimg.com/OAgbaAaBf

[triple @ Aug 26th 2007 9:28PM]

the press are probably using markIIs or d2xs anwyays

its not like they're gonna go crazy over the latest consumer offering from sony, of all companies, lol.

do sony dslrs use that awful memory stick stuff? Or do they actually let you use CF? lol.

[KorruptioN @ Aug 26th 2007 10:46PM]

Sony's DSLRs support CompactFlash as its primary storage medium. They do throw in a MemoryStick-CF adapter in the box though.

[Johnny Appleseed @ Aug 26th 2007 10:11PM]

Well...I hope this picture was not taken with a Sony DSLR.

[chych @ Aug 27th 2007 12:20AM]

No, it was actually taken by a Canon IXUS point & shoot, and is quite a crop from the original:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1037&message=24537884

Lets see how long those pics last...

And don't throw off Sony because they're all consumerish. They've basically been working off Minolta's legacy, and Minolta has made some awesome cameras in the past.

[nathan @ Aug 27th 2007 1:12AM]

Why did this guy take the picture with his name tag? Probably not smart Mr. Byeong Ju Cheong

[clujan @ Aug 27th 2007 7:49AM]

Sony fumbles again. Being the inventor of the Walkman does not make you the leader in DSLR.

[Poom @ Aug 27th 2007 9:49AM]

Would you mind explaining to me how Sony has fumbled? The Alpha A100 received really high reviews and I know quite a lot of people who have actually bought it, both amateurs and professionals. I have a feeling you just have one of those "Ah... It's Sony, must have suck." prejudice.

Despite how much Sony has fell from its Walkman era, I would not think that all of their products are bad, especially Vaio.

[Evan @ Aug 27th 2007 8:58AM]

Nikon will now lead the DSLR market for the next 5-10 years, at least. The D3 has begun the full-frame revolution. Nikon has reclaimed their rightful position as the king of photography fanboy-dom.

[Shaocaholica @ Aug 27th 2007 11:53AM]

Err, Canon started the Full Frame revolution as far as sales are concerned and still leads in sales. Nikon and Sony are still playing catchup.

[Evan @ Aug 27th 2007 12:30PM]

You can't start a revolution, if nobody follows. Nikon has started a revolution, that will be followed.

[Brian @ Aug 27th 2007 12:19PM]

I'm a Professional and Only use Minolta cameras, now Sony. I have used Canon and Nikon in different jobs. And there ergonomics are not even close to what minolta has created. There cameras are well balanced and you are not reaching for the shutter button on there vertical grips. All the buttons on the vert grips are in the same spot as if shooting horizontal. I think Sony is able to do what Minolta couln't with there cashflow. They will be #2 and then possably #1.

[Keith @ Aug 27th 2007 9:21PM]

To: "...I'm a professional..."

Keith said:

What is your professional job and/or occupation.

Keith

[Brian @ Aug 28th 2007 6:54AM]

I photograph Weddings, Portraits, Commercial, Architectural, Lifestyle, Products, Nature, Stock. How about U?

[Montvale @ Aug 30th 2007 4:45PM]

I was wondering if any of the SLRs that are coming one the market are going to shoot video and allow to compose photos on the external screen?