Over at Photoclub Alpha they’ve noticed that Sony has some high-resolution images of a new DSLR camera, and therefore it seems likely that Sony will be making an announcement soon. It is expected to compete with cameras in the Canon 30D and Nikon D80 range.

Right now some are calling it the Alpha 200, or A200, though that’s just a guess until Sony officially comes out with a model name. It’s expected to have a smaller (APS-C sized) sensor, although the popular opinion is that Sony will be releasing a full-frame DSLR in 2008 (tentatively called the Alpha 300 in Internet rumorland.) This is bolstered by new full-frame Sony lenses that look like they’ll be coming out pretty soon.

Photoclub Alpha also has some interesting speculation about possible innovative sensor capture patterns, high ISO, and live view on the sensor:

Sony is also known for experimenting with alternatives to the Bayer RGB pattern. Again, I would not be surprised to see a quad filtered or even an RLB (red, luminance and blue – no green filter) sensor appear in a future Sony model. If the ‘A200′ does use R-1 type CMOS, we may see an ISO range from 50 to 3200 and possibly an extension to 6400. Another possible feature if a sensor with live view is used is on-sensor exposure and focus. Anyone who has used an EVF camera will know that focus can be nailed to exceptional precision even with very short focal lengths. This is a main failing of existing DSLR AF systems.

Check out the whole article, and we’ll keep an eye out for anything official from Sony in the near future.