Sony's new digital SLR-A700

Sony's full line of accessories will also expand to include a new vertical grip. Equipped with buttons and switches for the most essential control functions, it offers the same ease of operation and handling as when shooting vertically. It houses two InfoLithium batteries (sold separately), which will automatically switch to the second battery when the first one runs out. Remaining charges of both batteries are displayed on the camera's LCD screen.

The model also features separate slots for Memory Stick Duo media cards compatible with the Memory Stick PRO-HG(TM) high-speed data transfer standard, as well as CompactFlash Type I/II media cards compatible with the new Ultra Direct Memory Access standard for up to 300x write speeds. Sony is also introducing new 300x high-speed CompactFlash(TM) memory cards, ideal for high-end photographers requiring fast write speeds. The new models, available in 2GB or 8GB capacity, expand Sony's current line of CompactFlash cards that also include 66X and 133X speeds, with capacities ranging from 1GB to 4GB.

The DSLR-A700 camera body, DT 16 - 105 mm lens, and DT 18-250 mm lens will be available for about US$1,400, US$580 and US$550, respectively. The DSLR-A700K kit with an 18-70 mm lens will be available for about US$1,500, and the DSLR-A700P kit with the 16-105 mm lens will be available for about US$1,900. The camera body and DSLR-A700K kit will ship in October and the DSLR-A700P kit in November.