A Fujifilm JPEG-only half-frame toy for 850 smackers, the latest Sony flagship for 7000 something + tax, and the new mid-range “standard model” S1 II from Panasonic yours for a bargain $4000 with ‘basic’ kit zoom. It all begs the question, have the Japanese lost the plot? In the UK right now, I look at the “real” price of cameras – that is used items in very good condition. These are the prices that the customer decides are worth paying. The Panasonic S9 which launched for £1699 just a few months ago (body only) is now fetching a measly £750 at most retailers in mint condition, with the box and all accessories. It has been a total and abject failiure, the point where Panasonic has had to discount up to £800 off the box price (new) with the new 18-40mm kit lens. The fact remains this – Panasonic was asking for more than double what people were willing to pay, and for a “influencer camera” £700 more than the latest iPhone 16 Pro with a cutting edge camera. I look at the global market situation, and the prices were crazy long before crazy US tariffs. Most foreign currency like the British pound or the Euro when converted to Japanese Yen now has a very favourable exchange rate for the Japanese corporations. When they repatriate their foreign income, they’re making more per £, € or $ than they did before, and unlike at the peak of Japanese industry most of...
Published By: EOSHD.com blog - Yesterday