Although few people know this, Sony invented the world's first non-film interchangeable lens SLR - the Mavica - back in 1981. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_Mavica No, it wasn't digital but it didn't use film.
Just a few short years ago many DSLR "purists" were vehemently opposed to the introduction of a feature called Live View. Once that feature became a standard on DSLR cameras they turned their attention to demeaning DSLR cameras with Video capability. As Nikon quickly found out when they introduced the D3000 without those features, consumers weren't buying a DSLR without them. Hence the quick replacement for the D3000 - the D3100. Now their attention has been turned to the EVF - Electronic ViewFinder. Funny, but few complain about the EVF on the mirror-less cameras from Sony, Olympus, Panasonic and now Nikon and Pentax but mention "DSLR" and "EVF" in the same sentence and the Sony SLT series of DSLR cameras using an EVF comes under harsh criticism.
Completely overlooked are the advantages of Sony's Translucent Mirror Technology, one of which is its ability to allow full-time continuous phase-detect auto focus whether you're shooting still pictures or full 1080p video. Of course, eliminating the bulky pentaprism assembly and the mechanism that moves the mirror up and down in a traditional optical viewfinder DSLR is seldom mentioned.
As far as Sony's lens line up, while it may not be as extensive as shown in a Nikon or Canon catalog, most critics seem unaware that all Sony DSLR cameras use the legacy Minolta Maxxum "A" lens mount that was first introduced in 1985. This allows the owner of the Sony SLT A65 access to a vast selection of previously owned Minolta Maxxum AF lenses. Since Sony wisely includes a focusing motor in all their DSLR cameras a Maxxum AF 70-210mm f4 zoom lens will auto focus on the A65 as well as on any other Sony DSLR. Nikon can't say that about any of their DSLR models below the D90 or D7000. The Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D3000, D3100, D5000 and D5100 all require use of Nikon's more expensive AF-S lenses for auto focus on those models. So although the owner of one of the entry-level Nikons can use the less expensive Nikon AF lenses they will have to manually focus them. Canon changed their lens mount from the "FD" to the "EF" in 1988 so their backwards lens compatibility ends there.
Suppose you need more zoom than offered by the usual 18-55mm kit lens but you aren't made of money. Canon has a 70-200mm f4L IS USM zoom that retails for $1,331.00 (from B&H and after a $150.00 Instant Savings that ends 1-7-2012). Nikon only shows a 70-200mm f2.8 VR zoom that retails for $2,396.95 (from B&H) although a 70-200mm f4 zoom has been rumored and will probably be priced close to the Canon 70-200mm f4L. On eBay, offered by several Top Rated sellers, you can buy the Maxxum AF 70-210mm f4 "Beercan" zoom for under $200.00. Of course the Maxxum 70-210mm f4 isn't a stabilized lens like the Canon or Nikon but it doesn't have to be - Sony has their version of Image Stabilization in the camera body so any lens used becomes, in effect, a stabilized lens.
NOTE: I own and use the older manual focus version of the Maxxum AF 70-210mm f4 lens. Internally they are identical and you'll find the lens to be very sharp across the entire zoom range. The manual focus version was actually sold by Leica for their 35mm SLR cameras. My 70-210mm f4 is my choice for general purpose photography outdoors unless I'm photographing a festival or event and then I often use my 28-85mm f3.5-5.6 zoom. For landscapes I use either my 21mm or 24mm prime lenses.
You'll find comparable savings if you decide you'd like a 50mm f1.4 lens for portraits or available light photography with your A65. Of course it will be a stabilized lens on your A65. Nikon and Canon don't offer a stabilized 50mm f1.4 lens.
In my opinion you should go ahead and purchase the A65.
Review:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/AA65/AA65A.HTM
B&H - http://www.bhphotovideo.com