Sony DSLRs still competatively priced

Despite them also putting up their prices, their A700 and A900 are still pretty competitive.

You can pick the A700 up for around £500 and the A900 up for around £1600 - not bad at all!

I quite fancy the A700 at that price - always wanted to try one!

Am I right in thinking that they can be used with Minolta lenses ?

Yes.

Sony are probably coming in at a competitive price to get a foothold in the market and they are probably little more realistic about what they build 'em for and how much profit they need. Credit crunch or not, I think SLR's like my D300 are overpriced but I guess it's all part of the 'exclusivity' of having a mid range or more 'professional' camera.

Generally goods have remained the same price or are getting cheaper despite fluctuations in currency. Laptops, computer peripherals, hifi etc are all as cheap or cheaper.

I don't think you can go wrong with a Sony slr altough personally I don't like the design and colours they use. There is not such a range of secondhand lenses and accessories available. Bang for buck I would go Canon if I was starting out and get a secondhand 5D and go from there.

Sony bought the minotla chassis, so all the Sony DSLR's are, in effect Minolta Cameras with sexy clothing...
The whole alpha range works with minolta and minolta-konica lenses which you tend to find cheaper than the actual Alpha lenses which you need a mortgage to buy!