It seems that this has been a leak from the Hong-Kong Sony web site: The full Sony Alpha 850 user manual available for download during a few hours. It is a small Sony Alpha 900 with features like:
- 24,6 MP with Full Frame 35mm sensor
- Sensitivity: ISO 100-6400
- A-to-D conversion with 6000 amplifiers (to reduce pixel noise)
- Single BIONZ processors
- Shutter speed: 30s to 1/8000s + Bulb
- Flash sync: 1/200s (1/250s if SteadyShot is not activated)
- In-body stabilization
- Viewfinder with 98% coverage and 0,74x magnification (pentaprism)
- Replaceable focusing screen
- 9+10-point new AF system (with central dual cross)
- Continuous shooting at 3 fps
- EV bracketing with ±2EV range
- 13 creative styles and 3 programmable modes
- Image Data Converter SR3 software even allows to compensate for corner light fall off (vignetting)
- High-Speed USB (2.0)
- Memory slot: CompactFlash I/II type + Sony MemoryStick Duo
- 3″ LCD screen (921,000 pixels)
- Secondary LCD screen on top
- 850g
Having a slightly slower shutter, a smaller viewfinder, only one BIONZ processor, only one LCD screen display, Sony can make the Alpha 850 slightly less expensive (many people are waiting for this). The price is still unkonwn, though.
Source: Dyxum forums, Thanks Bernd.