Since purchasing some of Konica Minolta's technologies last year, folks have been anxiously waiting to see what Sony was going to do with it.  A digital SLR has been notably absent from Sony's lineup in a market where it seems like you need to have one of the higher-priced cameras to survive in the market.  Today, they have announced the branding for their new line of digital SLRs.  These cameras will be part of the Sony (alpha) line.

This paragraph from the press release sums it up the best:

"The Sony mount system of cameras, lenses and accessories will integrate advanced electromechanical technologies that are key to D-SLR performance, the versatility of the well-established Maxxum lens mount system, and Sony's renown in imaging devices and technologies. These include CCD and CMOS imaging sensors, as well as other image processing technologies, in addition to overall product miniaturization. People who have already made investments in many of Konica-Minolta's lenses and accessories will be able to take full advantage of Sony's new D-SLR cameras."

The new camera (or cameras) of the Sony line will be available starting in the summer of this year.

For more information, see: www.sony.com/dslr