In early 2006, Konica Minolta decided to pull out of the camera business. They had been late to the game in introducing Digital SLRs and decided to concentrate on other lines of business. The 2 DSLRs that KM did produce, were the 7D and 5D. Unlike Nikon and Canon, these camera’s had built in image stabilization. This meant that old Maxxum lenses were able to take advantage of this technology.

Sony, which had been looking for an entrance to the market, decided to purchase the camera technology from KM and re-branded the 5D into the Sony A100 in the summer of 2006. Sony and KM actually began working together in the summer of 2005. The camera was a hit, as the A100 improved on some of the 5D features. In the spring of 2007, Sony hinted at a couple of higher end cameras to come out. The first release, in September, was the A700. This camera is more in line with the 7D, providing better quality High ISO images as well as a 12MP chip and the ability to accept a fully functioning battery grip.

2008 promises to see a couple of more camera releases, with the A100 being replaced as well as a more professional offering. Along with this, Sony will up the total of lenses that they produce, from the current line of 18 to around 40 by the end of 08. This should give Sony some good momentum as they try to eat into some of the dominance that Canon and Nikon has had.