Sony's new Alpha DSLR-A850: First full-frame dSLR under $2,000

About a year after Sony introduced its first full-frame digital SLR, the Alpha DSLR-A900,  the electronics giant is making news by unveiling the least expensive full-frame dSLR to date: The recently announced Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 is the first 35mm full-frame dSLR to break the $2,000 mark, and will be priced at $1,999.99 when it ships in September.

Though Sony originally pitched the A900 as a camera for "serious photo enthusiasts" rather than professionals, it seems to have changed its tune now that it's coming out with a camera that's actually priced within reach of consumers. Deep-pocketed, extremely motivated consumers, perhaps, but I had a hard time believing that non-professionals would be willing to plunk down $3,000 (the A900's original body-only price). Now that its lineup includes two full-frame dSLRs (both 24.6 megapixels), Sony is talking about how it "offers models in each step from high-end professional down to the amateur enthusiast."

The only problem is that after comparing the specs, any true professional would be hard pressed to justify the extra $700 a A900 costs (especially considering you can get a Canon EOS 5D Mark II for the same $2,700 and get Live View and HD video recording to boot).

The A850, though, is the now the least expensive way to get a full 35mm-size sensor along with the high resolution and image quality (particularly in low light) that it affords.

For a early hands-on take of the A850, check out Imaging Resource's full review.

For a quick specs comparison between the A850, its predecessor the A900, and the Canon EOS 5D Mark II:

	Sony Alpha DSLR-A850	Sony Alpha DSLR-A900	Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Price	$1999.99 (body only), ships in September	$2,699.99 (body only)	$2,699 (body only)
Sensor	24.6 megapixels, 35mm full-frame CMOS	24.6 megapixels, 35mm full-frame CMOS	21.1 megapixels, 35mm full-frame CMOS
Continuous Shooting Speed	3 fps	5 fps	3.9 fps
LCD	3-inch, 921,600 pixels (fixed)	3-inch, 921,000 pixels (fixed)	3-inch, 920,000 pixels (fixed)
Autofocus	9-point	9-point	9-point
Sensitivity	ISO 100-6400	ISO 100-6400	ISO 100-6400
Live View	No	No	Yes
Storage Media	Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, Compact Flash Type I/II	Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, Compact Flash Type I/II	Compact Flash Type I/II
Movie Mode	None	None	1920x1080 (30 fps)/640x480 (30 fps)
Dimensions	6.1x4.6x3.3 inches	6.1x4.6x3.3 inches	6.0x4.5x3.0 inches
Weight (body)	30 oz	31.6 oz	28.6 oz