LX7 for $299, is there an issue???

Could be wrong but believe I read Panasonic (and Sony) have below investment grade bond ratings.   If so, not good.    Olympus is, of course, in fin'l  trouble, too.

Selling a product for cash now does seem to make sense for such a company.   Cash flow is often king.

Indeed, who would buy this camera?    Primarily LX5 users I presume and I heard some of them were expecting more.    (I have a G12 and really wanted a G15 but not for that much more money than the LX7.)     My GF is an excellent photographer (has the eye) and primarily gets by with a Canon 300HS.   It's not bad for the size.   (She doesn't make big use of her camera phone --- today's generation would probably get an iPhone before buying the LX7.)   She would never buy a "posh" P&S.  She would (and did) just buy the new iPad.   I think you're right, enthusiasts would tend to jump at the Sony with its 1" sensor and IQ.    Perhaps I should get next year's 1" sensor Canon or Nikon compact rather than these.   (I've not been a Sony fan only because they had seemed gimmicky to me --- I think they are worthy of consideration now --- say the A57 or RX100).    Or next year's iPhone !!!