It will be nice to see them try
Competition can only be good for everyone, no matter the brand.
Prices will fall and I can have my 7D replacement, without a divorce! lol
I reckon a 9D level camera will come, but not this year. It would be out of my price range I'm sure, but nice to dream about.
I am a confirmed Minolta user (nut!) of 30 years, but I have to say I very nearly bought a Nikon D200, while the Sony takeover was in the early stages.
I'm glad I didn't now, it looks like Sony are not going to drop the ball.
Wayne, I agree with your top end assessment, but I don't think the 7D type mid range will be dropped.
KM were already working on the 7D replacement, it's unlikely Sony will drop it, rather release their updated version of the camera that KM would have launched.
For many photographers a vertical grip, superior build quality, better viewfinder and other mid range features the A100 lacks are reason enough for a A200, even it the sensor turns out to be similar.
I would buy such a camera over the A100, in the same way I would buy a 7D over a 5D.
That is not to say the 5D or A100 or not good cameras, they are excellent photographic tools!
It's simply that they are missing features, that some, including myself would prefer 'if the choice were there'.
The same could be said for the Canon 350D and the 30D.
I don't think Sony can seriously challenge (in the mid term 3-5 years) Canon for No 1, maybe they will get their planned No 3 spot, but Canon (and Nikon) will not sit on their laurels any longer.
It's good to see Canon get a kick up the rear end, as I said before competition will give us even better cameras and reduce prices.
No matter what brand you worship (lol), it's all good