Sony DSLR camera

I've been seriously wanting to get a DSLR camera since I started blogging.  

And as always, $$ was the issue. Low-end DSLRs from Canon (Rebel XS) or Nikon (D40) cost around $500, which means I am not going to get one anytime soon.  I just checked the price of a Sony DSLR (Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 - click to read review) and it's less than $350, and the one including an Alpha 18-70mm lens is at $399.  Sony is big in video industry, but not in photography, that is widely understood.  But factoring in the price, how about Sony for a DSLR? Any thoughts?