Sony Alpha DSLR is a direct replacement of the Konica-Minolta digital cameras. Alpha has inherited most of the body and controls of the Minolta 5D, Minolta flash mount, lens mount, remote cord connector as well as some other features. However, while similar in size to 5D and Canon's Digital Rebel XT, it will be a good replacement of the 7D. The new camera (Sony Alpha-100) will feature an upgraded Minolta's Anti-Shake system (called Super-Steady Shot by Sony), that is also said to have dust removal function similar to those in Olympus DSLRs. For imaging a 10.2mp Sony sensor is going to be used in conjunction to know-how from Minolta in regards to metering,white balanace and other important aspects. In burst mode Alpha-100 will be able to capture 3 RAW frames per second up-to six frames. On the back the camera features an upgraded 2.5inch LCD.

There is also another good news to current and potential KM/Sony owners, Sony is said to have purchased Tamron (Japanese lens manufecturer). Which means that a new line of lenses will be produced including some primes. Tamron is a well established brand that has produced some outstanding lenses (such as their 90mm macro).

All of this information combined together means that Sony is very seriouse about its entrance to the DSLR market, and has high hopes for the Alpsha systems. With control over Tamron, it will be able to put some serious pressure on Nikon and Canon. For example, controlling an entire lens manufecturer and the sensors put into many Nikon cameras, Sony can start price wars by increasing the prices for parts produced for competitors, while leverging its ownership of the plants do bring down the pricing of the Alpha systems.