Yes, it's a mouthful, a tongue-twister only from the minds of Minolta, but Konica Minolta and Sony today announced that they will pool resources to create a joint D-SLR platform. The camera will feature Konica Maxxum/Dynax lens mounts and autofoucus technologies combined with Sony imaging technology (the release focuses specifically on Sony CCD/CMOS experience) and power supply. Other major features will include Anti-Shake—presumably drawing on both Sony's long Handycam experience and Konica's experience with the Maxxum 7D—and Sony-driven high density, compact design, as well as, it seems, Sony project managment.

As Engadget points out, there's no word yet on a memory format, but I'll take a chance and say MemoryStick will be in the mix somewhere, either as the only option, or as a dual format. Sony will want these to be compatible with the laptops they ship with built-in readers.

This seems like a smart move for both companies. It gives Sony an established base to jump into the D-SLR market, and it gives Konica access to Sony's sensor design and, more importantly, their formidable design, production, and marketing capabilities.