Sony presented a mock-up of the ultra-compact Alpha camera at this year's PMA trade show held in California. The camera fits interchangeable lenses, bringing together 'any time, anywhere convenience with DSLR picture quality', claims Sony.

The camera, which will be released later this year, most likely at the Photokina trade show in September, will sport a newly-developed Exmor APS-C HD CMOS sensor. It will also support HD video recording using the AVCHD format.

Video will also make its first appearance this year in a Sony Alpha DSLR. Also shown in concept form, the new camera will replace the Alpha 700, which was discontinued last year.

While other manufacturers have all released video-enabled DSLRs, Sony has been slow to introduce the technology to its Alpha range. Speaking to BJP in 2009, Paul Genge, Sony's UK technical sales manager, explained that Sony was still studying video. 'We're not convinced by the technology. The quality is not as good as it should be for a Sony introduction, especially considering Sony's experience in the camcorder market,' he added. 'We're not quite there yet.' (BJP, 02 September 2009).

Sony also plans to release new lenses in 2010, with the Distagon T* 24mm f/2.0 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss wide-angle lens coming in the next few months, says Sony. A Super Telephoto 500 f/4.0 G lens will also be released.

For more details, visit sony.co.uk.