The prices of new lenses and camera bodies steadily increase with each new announcement, and not just incremental increases either. For Sony, they seem to want to play the up market game, and price their new products accordingly. Yes, we know the Sony cameras are increasingly more capable than those models before, and have features that many other camera makers don't have, but how far can they go before they end up being a niche player like Leica? It won't be long if each new model is $400-$500 more, and in the case of the A7R II, the price is mindblowing $4000 in Canada.
Yes I am whining because I don't have the deep pocket of those who have a lot of disposable income. I would love to upgrade my A7, but not at these rediculuos new prices. If a crop sensor A6500 costs close to $1800, I can't imagine how much the A7 III will cost. My guess would be around $3000. I upgraded from NEX-5 --> NEX-5N --> NEX-6 --> A7 because each model didn't cost significantly more than the one before, except the A7 but it was in a different product category.
I guess I will continue to enjoy my trusty A7, but one day it will die, and I will likely replace it with something affordble, like a used A7 or A7 II. I would rather spent the money on lenses, as the A7/A7II are still very capable cameras.
Hooked - Yashinon 4.5cm f1.8 from Lynx-1000 Rangefinder on Sony A7
My progression is similar, NEX-5 to NEX-6, except I never "graduated" to fullframe and likely won't be for quite some time. Also with these prices it looks like my days of buying new are over. When/if I eventually go fullframe it will likely be a used A7II or similar. I think Sony is starting to lose their compass. How can they think 3000 dollars (or euros or whatever) for a piece of consumer electronics is an acceptable price? And lenses that basically start at around 1000 and up? No way! First of all, most of us don't even have that kind of money to spend on a hobby and what we do have is much better spent on old glass and second hand last generation bodies.
ReplyDeleteLens prices! Don't get me started on lens prices. I feel that the consumer market is closing/shrinking and may eventually, completely collapses. What consumer can afford lenses that start $1k?
DeleteIt's basically a sign that the big players think that mass hobbyist photography is dead and that there is little chance to make enough on high volume/low price sales to make it worthwhile (especially for relative newcomer Sony). Their putative best option is to have there be high end statement items that then fuel demand for their older models at lower prices. We'll see how that goes and which companies survive.
ReplyDeleteThat would be a very worrying outcome, if it does head that way.
DeleteYou're absolutely correct with your observations, Yu-Lin - SONY's pricing gets crazier and crazier.
ReplyDeleteThe upside, though is the fact that the previous model drops drastically in price when people scramble to get the newest model. I just bought a 3 month old a6300 (introduced in March 2016 *lol*) with 1800 actuations for 900€ - MSRP over here is 1.250€!
But hey, SONY is not alone - look at Olympus: 2000€ for an MFT body??!? Seriously? Yes, the OMD EM-1 Mk II has some great features, but give me a break!
Mike, I think the camera companies are trying the "it's expensive, but will make you look good" route. Some items, like cars or stereo equipment, actually sell better when they are more expensive; these are Veblen goods. I hope cameras and lenses do not become Veblen goods, although some already are.
Delete> although some already are
DeleteWould those by any chance begin with a 'Z' or have an 'L' after the aperture value? Or maybe have a 'GM' embossed on them?
Have a great xmas, my friend. I hope Santa brings you some glass :-)
@Mike: Thanks my friend! Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holiday season, and a prosperous 2017!
DeleteSony could easily undercut Nikon and Canon prices in the beginning with they mirrorless offerings to compete with the established DSLR market. Now that everyone realises the old emperors have no clothes, Sony can start collecting the cash for themselves. Just as Sony made full frame affordable, we need competition to keep prices down for consumers. But anyway, I am holding out for affordable medium format (and playing with film 6x7 meanwhile) and if my A7 dies I will replace it with a used one. Every upgrade from it is not worth it at all to me. Bigger sensor would be a reason to upgrade. More pixels, weight, volume, and price is not. Yeah, touch screen would be nice. But I waited so long, they can stuff it by now. Stopped visiting alpha rumors site, I have what I need and film cameras are way cheaper, plentiful and more beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI am also waiting for an affordable medium format digital, but I am not holding my breathe. These things will always be expensive new, and by the time they become "affordable" used, it's way pass the "prime" :) Who wants to buy a 16MP medium format back for $2k?
DeleteI think from now on, I will only buy used cameras. Perhaps in a couple of years or three, the A7RII can be had for $1500.
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ReplyDeleteI was once informed that it was not that the price was too high, it was that I did not earn enough...
ReplyDeleteThat's certainly true :)
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