Canon R3 vs. Nikon Z9 (Price)

CanonKen wrote:

First, the elephant in the room is supply. As long as there is more demand than supply, expect the R3 to remain at $6,000 - arrogant or not, this camera is likely going to be perpetually constrained for all of 2022.

The other issue is people buying this type of camera likely have a ton of lenses already, and are not going to flip-flop. They are not swaying first-time buyers with this camera.

That said, YES, this is great news and puts pressure on others, even if it is small. What it could do is make people hesitate to upgrade/add an R3 to their collection knowing it is 'overpriced' (real or perceived). Canon will likely not lower the retail, but maybe you see a instant rebate sooner than Canon planned and/or for a larger amount (once supply catches up).

The real story is why Nikon priced the Z9 the way they did. Was it to get attention (it worked!) or because they actually want to try and get people to step into this system (either upgrade, switch, add it, etc.). They could have priced this at $6,000, maybe even $6,500 and gotten away with it.

Nikon once was king.  For some like me, we left Nikon in the film era when Canon got USM autofocus with the EF mount.   It was a godsend for autofocus inaction but I had to dump a couple of Nikon bodies and several Nikon lenses.  The money was in the lenses.

Nikon is no longer king and Canon is king of the camera business with Sony second.  Nikon is losing money and selling lenses to current customers is a major business for them.  Z9 buyers will be buyng new Nikon lenses necessary for Nikon survival and the Z9 will be lifeline for them with their existing Nikon customers.   How many new buyers will they get with Z9.  It will not be me.  I own tons of EF L glass that works might well and I even have 8 new RF lenses for the R5.  I am glad Nikon has moved up to the competitive mirrorless world.  I would not want the Nikon glass holders to left holding the bag with outdated bodies.   The Z9 is good for everyone and and will make the R1 an evern sweeter camera.