Why is it so hard......

....to find an FZ50 in a store? I live in Vancouver, Washington, which is right next to Portland, Oregon and there are no stores around here that have an FZ50 in stock. All the stores expect customers to order and pay for one and then wait for it to come in the mail up to two weeks later. Circuit City has raised the price on the FZ50 by 50 bucks in the last couple of weeks too. Camera World says "pre-order" one, as though they just came out.

What's the deal on this camera and why is it so hard to buy one? Any suggestions? Thanks

Strange you should find that! I had similar problems here in the UK.

When I searched the 'net' I found the best offers were out off stock, and those that were in stock increased in price by as much as 30-50%. Could you have the same problem i.e. the best offers have been snapped up leaving the more expensive sources on the shelf?

Another annoying thing here is 'packages' i.e additional accessories that may not always be required e.g. memory cards, batteries etc i.e. the camera may be reasonably priced but the accessories are inflated meaning the overall package can be more expensive than buying separates?

I spent a great deal of time working out what was the best deal before finally deciding. In the end I found that my 'package worked out about 10% more than separates.

Unlike you though I have finally managed to secure one it arrives tomorrow.

I got mine here: http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/495036343

Says they are in stock at present time . . . and $50 less than I paid for mine last November!

--
J. Daniels
Colorful Colorado
Panasonic FZ10, FZ50 & Fuji S602Z owner & operator



Remember . . . always keep the box and everything that came in it!

I've found lots of FZ50's available online and at good prices. Many are available on ebay. For some weird reason though, none are available in a city the size of Portland. Portland is a pretty big city. I would think that at least one store would have the FZ50 in stock. I've never found an FZ30 around here either. When I once mentioned the FZ50 to a Circuit City employee, he said he had never heard of it and that it must not be a popular camera. I told him it's a very popular camera, and he just gave me a blank stare.

Panasonic would do well to get them into stores at a reasonable price. I would think they would sell very well.

I've recently seen it at Camera World in downtown Portland. I asked a salesperson if there was any news about an FZ50 replacement, and he replied that he hadn't heard of any such news. He also said that it was one of their hottest selling cameras. My wife bought mine for me at Amazon several months ago, at which time no store in Portland carried the FZ50.

Got mine here: http://www.ukdigitalcameras.co.uk/__4_prod3_asp2_1_i4_35201_120_Panasonic_FZ50_Black6.html

In stock, £289.
Arrived the next day.

Adam

Try the Camera store in Calgary. I have dealt with them (In store) a number of times and they are certainly reliable. I had a camera sent to my son the other side of the Country and he had it by 10 am the next morning.

http://www.thecamerastore.com:80/ProductsList.aspx?ManufacturerID=2961&CategoryID=1&selection=2&SubCategoryID=45&subSelection=0&sub=true
--
FCAS #123
Old Sea Dog/cp 5400/FZ30
Galleries at http://www.pbase.com/oldseadog/galleries

Good question. I've seen none in the San Jose area (not that I get to many camera stores!)

I read so much good about the FZ 50, yet it seems too BIG for my taste --- I'd love to handle one!

Cheers -Erik
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Erik Ohlson said:

Good question. I've seen none in the San Jose area (not that I get to
many camera stores!)

I read so much good about the FZ 50, yet it seems too BIG for my
taste --- I'd love to handle one!

Click to expand...

The physical size can be deceiving. The FZ50 weighs less than my Olympus E300 DSLR with no lens attached, and the E300 is a pretty lightweight DSLR.

After having used two sizeable DSLR outfits for a while, I have to chuckle everytime I hear the words "heavy", "big" or "bulky" in describing the FZ50...

Onecall has it in stock; while that's an online store, at least it's nearby (Spokane, WA) and it would get there quick if you ordered.

I just looked at the Camera World website and the FZ50 isn't listed there anymore. I called their order phone number and the guy who answered said they don't carry that camera.

I'm positive I saw that camera on their website not more than a week ago but it said you could "preorder" it.

I just checked the Onecall website and they show the FZ50 as a "Clearance" item. I can't understand why any businesses would stop selling the camera or "Clearance" it if there's no Panasonic replacement coming soon and if it's so popular. It just doesn't make sense.

Maybe an FZ60 or 70 is on it's way?

I just walked over to Camera World during lunch to see what the story is. They do still carry the camera, although they have a difficult time keeping it in stock. They have one in stock now (they have the black version), although it's on hold through the end of today. The salesman told me to have you give him a call. If the person that held it doesn't buy it today, you can buy or hold it. Call Mykel at Camera World. 503.205.5900.

Good luck!

Doug

What I don't get, is how Panasonic can sell the FZ50 with all its features, the super lens, larger sensor, and everything else it has going for it, for the same price more or less as is charged for smaller sensor cameras which don't even have RAW, let alone sensor / lens / handling to compete. An FZ50 at the same price as an H9 or S5 or Oly550 is a wild bargain.