Sony slips details of A700 dSLR camera

Sony today may have unintentionally provided the majority of details about a new high-end model in its Alpha digital SLR series. The A700 would produce 12.24-megapixel shots aided by normal ISO sensitivity up to 3200; a special "expanded" mode will boost ISO up to 6400 in especially dark scenes. Previews on the LCD are also better than most any camera in the class with a 3-inch, 921,000-pixel display that gets closer to the actual image, Sony says. A further unique touch will involve separate CompactFlash and Memory Stick slots, allowing users to either use the industry standard or Sony's own format without blocking either slot.

Other confirmed aspects of the camera include an 11-point autofocus system, optical image stabilization, a sensor dust removal system, and HDMI output in the vein of the company's recent Cyber-shot home cameras. The leak appears to be unintentional and so comes without a price or a release date, though the A700 is widely expected to launch worldwide within the next few weeks and ship soon after.