I think Sony was waiting for Nikon move, now just is waiting for Canon.

I am sure that Sony will do the same happened in december with a200/a300/a350.

With the performance and features you are going to be happy, I can say that much (and have lol).

Expect Sony to answer next year possibly but do remember this.

Nikon and Canon are capable of playing serious hardball. Financially, Sony can but to me they really just need to establish a good lineup of cameras first, which is precisely what they are set to do and are achieving.

I have seen a lot of posts already to the effect of "What is Sony going to answer with?", and to me, for now, that answer will lie with the A900.

Sony will become more competitive most likely next year, and fill the niches that are apparent in it's own lineup of Cameras and Lenses, as well as in the market in general.

They are a huge company, and the fact that they have communicated internally this well to achieve this much so far is next to stunning.

For anyone concerned if Sony will compete and continue to be a major force in the pro and pro-am category, have no worries. Just need to all hang in there a bit longer. They already delivered a huge blow in the amateur segment and with market share.

Carl

It is an exciting time in photography. Resolution and capabilities keep increasing while the general cost remains the same or actually drops. A professional SLR was always been a few thousand dollars.

My first Nikon F cost $2500 retail. . . so the $3000 dollar bracket is still well within reason for professional level equipment. A few years after it will hit the $1000-1200 bracket and then the used market for several hundred. It has been like that for decades and I do not see it changing.

Just think about it. A full frame 35mm image on your DSLR! Even if SONY does not introduce it this round, you know it will be in the pipeline soon enough. Meanwhile we all have the pleasure to explore and use this cutting edge technology to its fullest in many areas and interest of photography. Imaging technology just keeps improving every generation that goes by. My A100 is already three generations behind and i only purchase it a year ago new from Amazon!

When SONY does bring out a FF camera, I'm ready, for all my lenses but one are from the film cameras Minolta produced!

Cuz the A900 is coming out in Photokina. Late September :)

Carl

Hi Carl, My back is broke, that's why I take the meds I do, but my penny bank is being carefully tended and carefully watched to seek a brand new toy. Collecting bottles for the deposits and cans for recycling too! Meanwhile, I'm starving the dogs & cats! While the dairy goats are going on half rations!!! ;-) . . . Just kidding there my animals are the most important things in my life. . . next to my bride of 33 years!!! Wow! That is shocking to think of!

Carl, I'm so anxious to see the new SONY it is nerve racking. Especially after I learned that the sensors in the Nikons D100 and D200 are actually SONY developments! How About That Fact!

AlexRamos we'll probably see Canon next and then in September as Carl stated for the Photokina Industry Show. . . SONY will out do them both! Maybe not as big and powerful but the quality will be out of this world! High resolution and smooth operation.
Cheers!

Sony has already announced their new camera in March and you're right...it's the Alpha 900 with 25 mega pixels and is slated to come out this year.

For the time being I think their answer will be the A900. They will want to fully focus people's attention on that, if they bring out another camera then that could just confuse the issue. When they are ready then they might respond to the D700, but if the rumours are true then the pricing of the A900 would be sufficiently close to that and the much rumoured 5D mkII.

Andrew

Hint's have been dropped to me about new DSLR's for next year (or successors). I think 09' is going to be very much as exciting as 08' yet in a more "refining" mood type of feel when compared to this year. I think requests and voices of 08' will be acknowledged.

Carl

Have you read or seen anything on the build qaulity of the Alpha 900? Is it plastic or magnesium? The images I've seen are of a clear plastic, when displaying construction but that may just be for viewing. I would think Sony would have better sense then to make their "flagship" camera out of plastic...no matter what the grade.

was all metal panels etc.

Doubt any plastic is going to adorn the main panels of a professional level camera.

Carl

Hi Carl,

That's good to hear, plastic on a camera at the A900 level would be a big no no. Not long now, Photokina is pretty close.

Andrew

A see thru A900, just to show everyone exactly how SSS works with a full-frame sensor could be entertaining!

If Sony launch the a900 under $3000, this camera will be a winner...

Many people is not completly glad with a D700 and 12MPx FF, other hopped good ISO but with more MPx.

My friend a Pro with D2x work in publicity and he told me that him don´t need super high ISO and the D3 is a good camera, perfect for sport Pro, but other camera similar and the same sensor he hopped a little more.
He said me that if Nikon don´t launch a high resolution camera, althrough 15-16MPx he will look through Canon if it launch a 5D MII.

Is just a case, just a Pro, but he said is true a D700 with 14-16Mpx FF and a better balance between ISO and resolution to good price had been better.

Excuse me my english, I need practice more my english class... ; )

I don't own nor have ever owned a Nikon but it is safe to say that with the introduction of the D700 Nikon has hit a home run. I think Nikon has successfully filled the gap between the D300 and the D3 thus maintaining their market share by satisfying established Nikon users who are heavily invested in expensive Nikon glass. The jump from 12 to 16 megapixels is insignifigant. To notice a change in resolution one needs to double the megapixel count. Although I look forward to purchasing the Sony A900, I'm already doubting what advantages (over the A700) higher resolution will give me when my maximum print size is 13"x 19". I rarely shoot above ISO 1600 so that's not the feature that impresses me about the Nikon sensor - what grabs me is the dynamic range and smoothness. So let's not knock Nikon but rather hope that Sony takes advantage of manufacturing the Nikon sensor and put some of these characteristics into sensors they put into their own products.

I have to agree.

Nikon are doing well, and it is not a bad thing that they are out there..as a rival with FF cameras. We still wait for Canon, and you have to ask what they are up to, it's unusual for them to let things slip so much, maybe they will pack a big punch with the new FF bodies when they turn up that is.

I think what many are wondering, is not just about this new 24mp FF camera, but is there going to be a more affordable lower mp count FF body released later on. I would have to say, I think that is almost certain to happen next year.

I welcome the increase in FF competition, it will help drive prices down over the long term. APS is fine, and I expect that to carry on, my only concern is very high MP counts on APS sensors, surely it is pointless to go above 14mp (diffraction etc) The good news is that semi pro APS cameras will (and already are to a point), be lower in price. That is good news for all of us. The days of a £1000 APS semi pro body are over I would think..

How long till FF gets to that price point?

Here is the DR of the a700, D300 and D3 sensor...

a700
http://www.diwa-labs.com/wip4/photo_compare.epl?id=237838&id2=

D300
http://www.diwa-labs.com/wip4/photo_compare.epl?id=237702&id2=

D3
http://www.diwa-labs.com/wip4/photo_compare.epl?id=237684&id2=

The DR of the a700 is better than D3 camera and the a700 sensor is the best sensor in the market...

The photocell in the new 24MPx Sony sensor is bigger than a700 sensor, more resolution and surely more sensivity and I think that a900 will be the camera with better DR in the market.

"The jump from 12 to 16 megapixels is insignifigant. To notice a change in resolution one needs to double the megapixel count."

When you say this are you referring to a print? Because I can see a big difference in resolution between a 10mp, and 14mp camera.

The increase is about 33% in resolution...