A sneak peek at what is believed to be Sony’s top-end digital SLR was offered at Japan’s Photo Imaging Expo. The camera, dubbed A900 until an official name is released, is likely to use Sony’s first full-size 24.8-megapixel sensor. The new pro camera offers almost twice the image resolution of Sony’s current best-resolution Alpha, the 14.2MP A350, and slightly outperforms Canon’s 21.1MP EOS-1Ds Mark III.

According to a Sony representative at PIE, the new flagship will make its official debut either at the Photo kina trade show in September or IFA in August. A prototype version of the A900 was shown at PMA last year, but this version appears to be one step closer to production. What Sony promised back then was a new image sensor, its Bionz image processing chip as well as Super Steady Shot image stabilization. The actual camera will record at a slightly reduced 24.6MP due to its sensors’ limits.
There is a mini-HDMI connection hidden under a flap to the side, which means images can be displayed on today’s HDTV’s. This feature is shared with Sony’s lesser Alphas, as well as some of Nikon’s offerings. The A900 also sports two scroll wheels, dedicated ISO and White Balance buttons. A new flash and grip for the high-end SLR were also on display at the show.