Sony announces today a new DSLR with very similar specifications as the full frame A900 and a considerably lowered price.


Unless before September (date of the public realase) none of competitors will anounce a better offer, the A850 will be the most affordable full frame format digital reflex on the market to date. Actually the major enhancement this camera will introduce is the price: it will go on sales for $2000, undercutting the competition from the Nikon D700 by $900, Canon EOS 5D mk II by $700 and its older "sister" Sony's A900 by $700.
Specifications are the same as the A900: 24.6 Mpx full frame sensor, a display of 3.0 inch 921k LCD, the sensor-shift image stabilization, Dual Bionz processors all in a weather resistant sealed rugged magnesium body.
The only differences with A900 are a slower continuous drive (Approx 3 fps max against A900's 5 fps) and a 98% viewfinder coverage (against A900's 100%). For the occasion Sony has also announced an new affordable SAM 28-75mm lens with a constant F2.8 aperture throughout the zoom range. It will be available from November as a kit lens for the A850.

official prices:
Sony A850 at $ 2000 / € 1999
Sony A850 + SAM 28-75mm F2.8 lens at approx. $ 2800 / € 2688