PANASONIC NA, WHAT ARE YOU DOING? GX9

Why do you keep on mentioning GX7 MKIII? Do you live in Japan? Because that is the only place on this planet where it's called GX7 MKIII. Everywhere else on planet Earth it's GX9.

And before you get all, "but why the difference", it's simple. Money.

Unlike the rest of the world, GX7 actually sold very well in Japan. Panasonic needed to do something about selling more cameras to the rest of the world. So they figured to have a three tier system where:

GXx is tier 1

GXxx is tier 2

GXxxx is tier 3

BUT in Japan, where GX7 actually did well, they needed to keep the GX7 name going so MKII and now MKIII.

Seriously, I don't see where all the confusion is coming from. GX9 is known as GX9 everywhere on this planet earth except Japan. Why complain about the name of GX7 MKIII because of one naming difference in one country out of the many on this planet?

As for the $600 GX9 in Europe, oh please, it's not $600 USD, it's $765USD but Panasonic Europe/UK just happens to have a 2 month promotion going on that brings the price down to $600USD. And before you complain, "well, why isn't the promotion going on in the US", well, tell me how often does Olympus have a WORLD WIDE promotion? Generally (could be always), camera manufacturers have promotions that are separated by NA, Europe, Asia, etc. And this promotion is only for 2 months after which it becomes $765USD again

As for body only price, what is the big deal? You can get the GX9 for $1000USD with the very good WR 12-60mm. If you really don't want the lens sell it for an easy $300. Thus $700.

And the X-E3 is a different tier camera. It's rather easy to understand why there are more options plus better bundled lenses for it. Higher the tier, the better the included lenses. Besides, the Panasonic 12-60mm is not the same tier as the cheapy 14-42mm lens that comes with the entry level cameras.

Now, with all that said, if you are saying that the GX9 is overpriced as a $700USD camera, well, you are certainly welcome to go rant at Panasonic.

MrALLCAPS wrote:

First off, the GX9 (GX7 MkIII) Came out the gates in a Bad spot, partially because the GX8 owners felt wronged, being that the GX7 MkIII was a downgrade in some key areas, not to mention the Price, -especially that you can get a GX7 MkII for half the price.

Now WEX photo video has the Killer deal on the GX7 MkIII:

https://www.wexphotovideo.com/panasonic-gx9-digital-camera-body-1652892/

You can get it for under $600.00 (body only)!! In the U.S., we dont even get a Body only option, just a Kit zoom lens, which personally speaking, if I were to use this camera, I'd only use primes.

Who's in charge of Panasonic North America? Who is making the decisions on pricing, kit choices, Naming, etc...? They severely dropped the ball with the GX7 MkIII. Wheres the BODY ONLY option??

Even Fujifilm with the X-E3 gives people THREE options: Body only, a kit with a great 23mm f/2 WR prime lens and a kit with the excellent 18-55!!

It makes you wonder who's in charge at Panasonic NA... Maybe they're just business exec's, that I hate to say, only know how to sell product like TVs, Hair dryers and consumer electronics, like most of the Lumix haters say, with no concern nor educated on photography.

Whatever it is, NA needs better buying options and better competitive pricing, in order to compete with the competition. The Pricing and lack of buying options for this camera is a Joke right now.