PMA 2010: Sony to offer compact interchangeable-lens camera, two new SLRs

Few details were given at its press conference, but one of its top executives did present a mock-up of the new product for a segment of the market he called untouched and a huge business opportunity: The diminutive camera, similar to the Samsung NX10 that was announced at CES in January, that will include an APS-sized sensor and is destined to go head-to-head with the Micro Four-thirds cameras from Panasonic and Olympus. Sony also mentioned it would offer three lenses this year for this new camera.

The new Sony models (available in red, blue and silver) were compact, yet offer SLR-quality stills, plus the ability to shoot video in the AVCHD format. That's the video format Sony's hard-drive and flash-memory camcorders use.

At the moment, no Sony Alpha SLRs can shoot HD video. However, that, too, will be changing: At the same press conference, Sony unveiled two new SLRs that will be hitting the market this year. One is a mid-range SLR, which appears to be a successor to the a700, the other a more-consumer, entry-level model. As if to assure the crowd of Sony's commitment to its SLR system, Sony also presented two new lenses for its SLRs, a 500mm and 24mm. No prices, specs or availability dates of availability were mentioned.

With Sony throwing its hat into the mirrorless SLR-like ring, it's looking like this year might be the year interchangeable compacts connect with consumers. Do you agree or disagree? Weigh in below.