KM 7D pricing and the newbie consumer

Matt Cham · Aug 18, 2004

What percentage of digital camera customers buy
their camera based solely on the ratio between
dollars to megapixels? I think there is quite a lot.

With instamatic and prosumer digital cameras in the
$500 per 6 megapixel range and $800 per
8 megapixel range, KM will probably be
forced to reduce their prices or increase their
megapixel count to gain more of these
novice customers.

If KM sells a 6MP product for, let's say $1,500,
there is a high likelyhood they their D7 will
be the most expensive 6MP unit in the market.
KM will lose a lot of newbie consumers this
way, which may well be their targeted
customers. Most seasoned photographers
who rely on digital imaging for their livelihood
are probably already on the Canon or Nikon
bandwagon.

Mauricio23 · Aug 18, 2004

It's more than that. At a price of $1500 they will not even get the discerning customer who is not locked into lenses and couldn't care less about the brand. The D20 will probably retail at around that range, and will pack much more punch with an 8 MP sensor, a 25 image buffer and the same image processor as the Mark II. IS lenses are not that expensive; Anti-Shake, while a plus, will not justify a $500 markup over a comparable product (which is looking more and more to be the 10D / D70 range). If the D7 pricing is not competitive is simply will not sell among people who are not wedded to the brand (including me). I am timing the purchase of my first dSLR for about March of next year. It will be an interesting time to be in the market. I only need Nikon chiming in to have a ful platter.

Matt Cham · Aug 19, 2004

Also note that the KM SSM (ultrasonic) lenses cost
the same as the Image-stabilized Ultrasonic lenses
of Canon.

zamboni · Aug 19, 2004

Mauricio23 wrote:
If the D7 pricing is not

Mauricio23 said:
competitive is simply will not sell among people who are not wedded
to the brand (including me). I am timing the purchase of my first
dSLR for about March of next year. It will be an interesting time
to be in the market. I only need Nikon chiming in to have a ful
platter.

Please excuse my attitude but this discussion seems silly. My guess is that if the D7 really delivers what many of us expect, it will be worth a good $1500. Though I am not wealthy, a well built maxxum 7 based dslr with AS is worth saving for. We are not talking about a bargain basement camera here. Very good cameras cost more than good cameras. If they deliver the goods they should expect a good price. Minolta is not known to overprice their products. I expect to get a good bang for my buck regardless of the cost. I hope I'm right.

Jim

Mauricio23 · Aug 19, 2004

zamboni said:
I expect to get a good bang for my buck regardless of
the cost. I hope I'm right.

I hope you are right too. But when people buy a camera, they look for usability and results, not innovation for its own sake. If an IS lens delivers the same result as KM's anti-shake mechanism, and other brands IS lenses cost the same as KM's lenses, then that's an innovation that doesn't have a lot of value per se, does it? The A2 was a step above the other 8 MP cameras because of AS; this is not the case with the D7, since IS/VR is available in both the Canon and Nikon lens lines.

To use an analogy, Fuji's Super CCD is very innovative, hexagonal photosites and all. But when it comes to image quality, it does not fare better than a plain square matrix CCD. Why would you pay more for it? Consumers are not in the business of funding innovation. They are in the business of taking pictures.

lcmacedo · Aug 19, 2004

Mauricio23 said:
Mauricio23 said:

I expect to get a good bang for my buck regardless of
the cost. I hope I'm right.

Click to expand...

I hope you are right too. But when people buy a camera, they look
for usability and results, not innovation for its own sake. If an
IS lens delivers the same result as KM's anti-shake mechanism, and
other brands IS lenses cost the same as KM's lenses, then that's an
innovation that doesn't have a lot of value per se, does it? The A2
was a step above the other 8 MP cameras because of AS; this is not
the case with the D7, since IS/VR is available in both the Canon
and Nikon lens lines.

The AS will suit all lenses, with other cameras you'll have to pay premium price for IS lenses. If you will only use one lens, that's OK, but any extra lens will pile up on your expenses. With the 7 D that won't happen...

Mauricio23 said:
To use an analogy, Fuji's Super CCD is very innovative, hexagonal
photosites and all. But when it comes to image quality, it does not
fare better than a plain square matrix CCD. Why would you pay more
for it? Consumers are not in the business of funding innovation.
They are in the business of taking pictures.

The Fuji S2 Pro sells very well and it is quite more expensive than competition ( Canon 10D, Nikon D100 ). As far as I know, Fuji sells all they make.

zamboni · Aug 19, 2004

Mauricio23 said:
Mauricio23 said:

I expect to get a good bang for my buck regardless of
the cost. I hope I'm right.

Click to expand...

I hope you are right too. But when people buy a camera, they look
for usability and results, not innovation for its own sake. If an
IS lens delivers the same result as KM's anti-shake mechanism, and
other brands IS lenses cost the same as KM's lenses, then that's an
innovation that doesn't have a lot of value per se, does it?

Hi Maricio,

Even without AS I think that the d7 will be a hoot to use. Do you have a maxxum 7 or have you used one? If not, that explains your thinking. IS lenses are great for you guys who like them and can afford them. Even without AS I would probably stick with Minolta if the d7 mirrored my Maxxum 7. That's just my preference. One quick question: Which of Minolta's competitors makes a Macro IS lens?

Jim

Mauricio23 · Aug 19, 2004

That's cool and all, but IS lenses are not more expensive than current minolta glass. I am not locked into glass, so I don't care whether I have to buy a Canon IS lens or a minolta regular lens, as long as the price is the same and the functionality the same.

Canon announced the D20 today. Available in September. All the specs have been released. $1499 body only, $1599 with the 18-55 lens that comes with the Rebel if you want it. A pre-production model has even been reviewed at the luminous landscape, and noise on the 8 MP sensor is the same as the previous generation 6 MP sensor. 5 fps, 25 frame buffer. 9 point autofocus, E-TTL II, and the Mark II image processor.

In the meantime, Minolta continues without a release date, just posting more trivialities about AS. It's pretty easy for me; if its priced the same as the D20, and doesn't match its specs (and all indications are it won't), I go D20. If it's priced as the Rebel/D70, I will definitely give it a shot.

I definitely understand people preferring one brand no matter what. I own a mac. It's just not my case with Minolta; I'll be looking exclusively for bang for the buck, and I suspect many other newcomers to the dSLR market will as well. Minolta will have its hands full catering to its users, and will not go out of business anytime soon. Whether they get my business or not depends on the combination of features and price they deliver (which no one knows yet but, thanks to Canon today, I know what the camera to beat is). That easy.

tmulli · Aug 19, 2004

zamboni said:
zamboni said:

competitive is simply will not sell among people who are not wedded
to the brand (including me). I am timing the purchase of my first
dSLR for about March of next year. It will be an interesting time
to be in the market. I only need Nikon chiming in to have a ful
platter.

Click to expand...

Please excuse my attitude but this discussion seems silly. My
guess is that if the D7 really delivers what many of us expect, it
will be worth a good $1500. Though I am not wealthy, a well built
maxxum 7 based dslr with AS is worth saving for. We are not
talking about a bargain basement camera here. Very good cameras
cost more than good cameras. If they deliver the goods they should
expect a good price. Minolta is not known to overprice their
products. I expect to get a good bang for my buck regardless of
the cost. I hope I'm right.

Jim

Agreed Jim. This camera is not for the casual shooter or even prosumer, nor is the cost-MP ratio relavant to the value this camera will bring. Anyone who has used a point and shoot and then picked up a SLR knows the huge difference in versatility, useabilty and creativity the SLR system allows. Granted the fixed lense SLR-type cameras are quite good, however, the ability to change lenses to fit the field offers an even more flexible system (and a minor price premium).

José B · Aug 19, 2004

made for a sports/action shooter like me with a budget (someone who likes the MKII but can't afford one).

Man, a clean ISO1600------wow!!!!

However, the reality check for me is I will lose a lot of trade-in value for switching my Maxxum SLR system to Canon. Having said that I can't wait forever to shoot with a DSLR system. I think I will give KM six more months to come out with the 7D w/AS. Now whether it is 6MP or 8MP it does not matter to me just as long as it more or less matches 20D's start up speed, ISO range and more importantly, relatively low noise even at high ISOs.

Cheers,

José

Mauricio23 said:
That's cool and all, but IS lenses are not more expensive than
current minolta glass. I am not locked into glass, so I don't care
whether I have to buy a Canon IS lens or a minolta regular lens, as
long as the price is the same and the functionality the same.

Canon announced the D20 today. Available in September. All the
specs have been released. $1499 body only, $1599 with the 18-55
lens that comes with the Rebel if you want it. A pre-production
model has even been reviewed at the luminous landscape, and noise
on the 8 MP sensor is the same as the previous generation 6 MP
sensor. 5 fps, 25 frame buffer. 9 point autofocus, E-TTL II, and
the Mark II image processor.

In the meantime, Minolta continues without a release date, just
posting more trivialities about AS. It's pretty easy for me; if its
priced the same as the D20, and doesn't match its specs (and all
indications are it won't), I go D20. If it's priced as the
Rebel/D70, I will definitely give it a shot.

I definitely understand people preferring one brand no matter what.
I own a mac. It's just not my case with Minolta; I'll be looking
exclusively for bang for the buck, and I suspect many other
newcomers to the dSLR market will as well. Minolta will have its
hands full catering to its users, and will not go out of business
anytime soon. Whether they get my business or not depends on the
combination of features and price they deliver (which no one knows
yet but, thanks to Canon today, I know what the camera to beat is).
That easy.

MinoltaManiac · Aug 19, 2004

José, 20D will never match 7 Digital's focus speed. Not even Mark II.
Dynax 7 is world's chapion in that.
And 7D will be speedy demon!
I'd wait even one year just for that!

And just imagine that with new set of lenses -- I believe that focusing speed could be even better!
And that is REALLY amazing!

José B said:
However, the reality check for me is I will lose a lot of trade-in
value for switching my Maxxum SLR system to Canon. Having said that
I can't wait forever to shoot with a DSLR system. I think I will
give KM six more months to come out with the 7D w/AS. Now whether
it is 6MP or 8MP it does not matter to me just as long as it more
or less matches 20D's start up speed, ISO range and more
importantly, relatively low noise even at high ISOs.

--
MinoltaManiac ::: http://www.pbase.com/minoltamaniac

zamboni · Aug 19, 2004

Mauricio23 said:
In the meantime, Minolta continues without a release date, just
posting more trivialities about AS. It's pretty easy for me; if its
priced the same as the D20, and doesn't match its specs (and all
indications are it won't), I go D20. If it's priced as the
Rebel/D70, I will definitely give it a shot.

Mauricio,

Judging by your post it sounds like the d20 is the camera for you. It looks like a very nice camera and should give you years of enjoyment. I am on the Minolta forum because I am a Minolta slr guy soon to become a dslr guy. My reasons: Minolta has produced big time for me in the slr field. I am not willing to give up all the unique features of the Maxxum 7 to go digital. If you decide to go with the Canon please don't sit around on this forum trying to convince Minolta lovers to move to Canon. It really serves no purpose. Get out and shoot and learn more about your camera from other canon owners. I'm sure they have some very capable photographers on their forum.

On the other hand, if Minolta falls on its face with the d7 there may be a few of us flying at high speed for other solutions. I don't mind eating some crow if I am wrong. You failed to answer a couple of my questions in a previous post. Would you be so kind as to answer these:

1. Have you ever used a Maxxum 7 or 9?
2. Who makes a macro lens with IS?

The d7 will be much more camera than the Rebel and d70. If you expect Minolta to price a better camera in that price range you will be disappointed. Sounds like you have made up your mind to purchase the d20 if the d7 is not priced significantly lower. I do not think it will be. Too many excellent features to price at a rebel level. Once you decide on your next step I hope that you find many hours of happy shooting .

Regards,

jim

Desmond Lim · Aug 19, 2004

Jose,

I was impressed with 20D's 25 frame buffer until this

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1031&message=9952487

I wonder if its true..

José B said:
Man, a clean ISO1600------wow!!!!

However, the reality check for me is I will lose a lot of trade-in
value for switching my Maxxum SLR system to Canon. Having said that
I can't wait forever to shoot with a DSLR system. I think I will
give KM six more months to come out with the 7D w/AS. Now whether
it is 6MP or 8MP it does not matter to me just as long as it more
or less matches 20D's start up speed, ISO range and more
importantly, relatively low noise even at high ISOs.

Cheers,

José

Mauricio23 said:

That's cool and all, but IS lenses are not more expensive than
current minolta glass. I am not locked into glass, so I don't care
whether I have to buy a Canon IS lens or a minolta regular lens, as
long as the price is the same and the functionality the same.

Canon announced the D20 today. Available in September. All the
specs have been released. $1499 body only, $1599 with the 18-55
lens that comes with the Rebel if you want it. A pre-production
model has even been reviewed at the luminous landscape, and noise
on the 8 MP sensor is the same as the previous generation 6 MP
sensor. 5 fps, 25 frame buffer. 9 point autofocus, E-TTL II, and
the Mark II image processor.

In the meantime, Minolta continues without a release date, just
posting more trivialities about AS. It's pretty easy for me; if its
priced the same as the D20, and doesn't match its specs (and all
indications are it won't), I go D20. If it's priced as the
Rebel/D70, I will definitely give it a shot.

I definitely understand people preferring one brand no matter what.
I own a mac. It's just not my case with Minolta; I'll be looking
exclusively for bang for the buck, and I suspect many other
newcomers to the dSLR market will as well. Minolta will have its
hands full catering to its users, and will not go out of business
anytime soon. Whether they get my business or not depends on the
combination of features and price they deliver (which no one knows
yet but, thanks to Canon today, I know what the camera to beat is).
That easy.

Click to expand...

Mauricio23 · Aug 19, 2004

Jim,

I am not trying to convinve anyone to switch; I couldn't care less about what camera you use. I am trying to figure out what camera will be right for me. As an aside, when I get my dSLR, I will probably keep my A2 as a backup, so unfortunately you'll probably still have me around this forum.

To answer your questions:

zamboni said:
1. Have you ever used a Maxxum 7 or 9?

Of course not. Wouldn't I be supposed to be singing the praises of a camera whose specs haven't even been released otherwise? I was always a Nikon person in the SLR arena, but got my entire system stolen two years ago, which gives me a clean slate to start with any dSLR system.

zamboni said:
2. Who makes a macro lens with IS?

Probably no one, and that is the only solid reason I've heard from yuo so far in favor of the 7D. The rest have been mentions of its "unique" features, but all the features Minolta has released so far are in D70 range. You keep saying it will be better; I would really, really like to know why. Maybe the autofocus system will be great, and maybe I'm just biased against KM's autofocus beacuse of the A2 less than stellar performance in this respect. Otherwise it just looks like yesterday's technology to me.

zamboni said:
Sounds like you have made up your mind to
purchase the d20 if the d7 is not priced significantly lower. I do
not think it will be. Too many excellent features to price at a
rebel level. Once you decide on your next step I hope that you
find many hours of happy shooting .

For example, care to elaborate on the too many excellent features? I haven't made up my mind to buy anything. Since I have a Canon spec sheet out there, I would like to know what Minolta would have compared to it.

I couldn't care less whether you will have to eat crow or not, or whether Minolta sells a hundred or a million 7Ds. I'm trying to figure out if this is the right camera for someone starting afresh (which clearly you are not). Maybe Minolta's strategy is to first make as much money as possible with the people who are locked in into its lenses by selling at a premium price for the first year. This may make perfect business sense, since initial production capacity may be limited. It would mean that you will buy the camera and I will not. Since they have cast this shroud of secrecy around the camera, it is difficult to figure out.

Regards,

Mauricio

José B · Aug 20, 2004

anyway.

I'm still hanging on for the 7D with my Maxxum lenses et. al it would be too expensive to switch at this point. If by remote chance KM announces a very long delay (let's say 6 mos. or longer) on the actual launch of the DSLR, I will strongly consider switching to either the 20D or S3Pro.

Cheers,

José

Desmond Lim said:
I was impressed with 20D's 25 frame buffer until this

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1031&message=9952487

I wonder if its true..

José B said:

Man, a clean ISO1600------wow!!!!

However, the reality check for me is I will lose a lot of trade-in
value for switching my Maxxum SLR system to Canon. Having said that
I can't wait forever to shoot with a DSLR system. I think I will
give KM six more months to come out with the 7D w/AS. Now whether
it is 6MP or 8MP it does not matter to me just as long as it more
or less matches 20D's start up speed, ISO range and more
importantly, relatively low noise even at high ISOs.

Cheers,

José

Mauricio23 said:

That's cool and all, but IS lenses are not more expensive than
current minolta glass. I am not locked into glass, so I don't care
whether I have to buy a Canon IS lens or a minolta regular lens, as
long as the price is the same and the functionality the same.

Canon announced the D20 today. Available in September. All the
specs have been released. $1499 body only, $1599 with the 18-55
lens that comes with the Rebel if you want it. A pre-production
model has even been reviewed at the luminous landscape, and noise
on the 8 MP sensor is the same as the previous generation 6 MP
sensor. 5 fps, 25 frame buffer. 9 point autofocus, E-TTL II, and
the Mark II image processor.

In the meantime, Minolta continues without a release date, just
posting more trivialities about AS. It's pretty easy for me; if its
priced the same as the D20, and doesn't match its specs (and all
indications are it won't), I go D20. If it's priced as the
Rebel/D70, I will definitely give it a shot.

I definitely understand people preferring one brand no matter what.
I own a mac. It's just not my case with Minolta; I'll be looking
exclusively for bang for the buck, and I suspect many other
newcomers to the dSLR market will as well. Minolta will have its
hands full catering to its users, and will not go out of business
anytime soon. Whether they get my business or not depends on the
combination of features and price they deliver (which no one knows
yet but, thanks to Canon today, I know what the camera to beat is).
That easy.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Desmond Lim · Aug 20, 2004

José B said:
anyway.

I'm still hanging on for the 7D with my Maxxum lenses et. al it
would be too expensive to switch at this point. If by remote chance
KM announces a very long delay (let's say 6 mos. or longer) on the
actual launch of the DSLR, I will strongly consider switching to
either the 20D or S3Pro.

I'm sure KM won't fail you this time

. They won't commit 'coming this fall' without having the goods ready. Some just don't understand..

zamboni · Aug 20, 2004

Mauricio23 said:
For example, care to elaborate on the too many excellent features?
I haven't made up my mind to buy anything. Since I have a Canon
spec sheet out there, I would like to know what Minolta would have
compared to it.

Mauricio,

Thanks for taking the time to clarify your thoughts. I may have misinterpreted your intent on posting. Forgive me if I did. Probably my two greatest reasons for hanging on for the d7 are:

1. I have a fair amount of Minolta glass hanging around (24-105, 50mm1.4, 85mm1.4, 100-300, 400mmm f4.5).

2. I love the Maxxum 7 and believe that Minolta will make the d7 very similar to the Maxxum 7 in features. Below are the features I enjoy:

a. Integrated flash system that functions as an excellent wireless flash. This also combines with the d lenses for very nice exposure balance with flash.

b. Ergonomics - with the vc7 grip the Maxxum 7 feels like part of your hand. It also feels like a solid, well made camera.

c. Optics - my shots are tac sharp. I especially love my fixed focal length lenses. The price is really nice for most Minolta glass.

d. Metering system: I have never had better

e. Auto focus: It is quick and doesn't hunt or miss very often. I have never been disappointed with it.

f. Bright viewfinder - I have never seen a brighter or clearer viewfinder in a 35mm camera. Thiis makes shooting very enjoyable.

My biggers concern is whether the d7 will produce clean images with low noise - especially up to ISO 800. Otherwise, my Miinolta satisfaction is based on my experience with my Maxxum 7 & 9. Only those who have used these cameras will understand. Others who haven't taken a "test drive" with a Maxxum 7 or 9 probably feel like we are blind loyalists. If Minolta delivers with a low noise digital version of the Maxxum 7 we are going to see one special camera. If they do not, then many of us will be very disappointed.

Mauricio, I am not just blowing hot air. I have a Maxxum 7 & 9 and I really like them. My excitement and product loyalty are only based on experience with these cameras. The one question I have is electronic in nature. Observing Minolta's past electronic innovations causes me to be very optimistic.

I hope this gives you some basis for my feelings.

Jim

Mauricio23 · Aug 20, 2004

Yep, that sounds great, but quite a few of those advantages will be for people that are locked-in (lenses, flashes). You describe the Maxxum 7 as a great body; if the digital version preserves those features, then it could be a worthy competitor.

I take it as a given that with a 6 MP APS-sized sensor, the images better be clean at whatever ISO you choose. That technology has now been around for a couple of years, and KM has no option other than lining up with the other players in the market in this respect.

Ergonomics / control use is a big plus (I know from my A2). Autofocus and flash control are areas in which Canon seems to have caught up pretty well, though (9-point AF matrix in the D20, reportedly very fast, new internal and external flash units, and E-TTL II metering, which is equivalent to ADI). The viewfinder will probably be dimmer, since the mirrror is smaller than a 35 mm one; the 20D has already drawn criticism from reviewers because they seem to have made the mirror too small, and hence the image is coarse in bright light.

As I said before, I wouldn't be surprised if KM priced new users out of its cameras at first, trying to take in as high a profit as possible from its existing base for the first 6-12 months. That would make a lot of sense to me from a business point of view. It is what business models teach you to do; segment the market and sell as high as possible to each segment. My only piece of specific equipment so far is the 5600HS(D) flash, but those sell pretty well on ebay, so I don't reap any of the advantages you do with your Maxxum glass by going 7D. I (and any other new user) need the combo body/glass to be a better value than other combos body/glass out there.

Interesting times ahead. In any case, you'll have the digital SLR body to fit your equipment, and I will have choices to make!

zamboni said:
Mauricio23 said:

For example, care to elaborate on the too many excellent features?
I haven't made up my mind to buy anything. Since I have a Canon
spec sheet out there, I would like to know what Minolta would have
compared to it.

Click to expand...

Mauricio,

Thanks for taking the time to clarify your thoughts. I may have
misinterpreted your intent on posting. Forgive me if I did.
Probably my two greatest reasons for hanging on for the d7 are:

1. I have a fair amount of Minolta glass hanging around (24-105,
50mm1.4, 85mm1.4, 100-300, 400mmm f4.5).

2. I love the Maxxum 7 and believe that Minolta will make the d7
very similar to the Maxxum 7 in features. Below are the features I
enjoy:

a. Integrated flash system that functions as an excellent wireless
flash. This also combines with the d lenses for very nice exposure
balance with flash.

b. Ergonomics - with the vc7 grip the Maxxum 7 feels like part of
your hand. It also feels like a solid, well made camera.

c. Optics - my shots are tac sharp. I especially love my fixed
focal length lenses. The price is really nice for most Minolta
glass.

d. Metering system: I have never had better

e. Auto focus: It is quick and doesn't hunt or miss very often.
I have never been disappointed with it.

f. Bright viewfinder - I have never seen a brighter or clearer
viewfinder in a 35mm camera. Thiis makes shooting very enjoyable.

My biggers concern is whether the d7 will produce clean images with
low noise - especially up to ISO 800. Otherwise, my Miinolta
satisfaction is based on my experience with my Maxxum 7 & 9. Only
those who have used these cameras will understand. Others who
haven't taken a "test drive" with a Maxxum 7 or 9 probably feel
like we are blind loyalists. If Minolta delivers with a low noise
digital version of the Maxxum 7 we are going to see one special
camera. If they do not, then many of us will be very disappointed.

Mauricio, I am not just blowing hot air. I have a Maxxum 7 & 9 and
I really like them. My excitement and product loyalty are only
based on experience with these cameras. The one question I have is
electronic in nature. Observing Minolta's past electronic
innovations causes me to be very optimistic.

I hope this gives you some basis for my feelings.

Jim

SirSeth · Aug 20, 2004

If the M7D is 6MP with AS and Maxxum 7 quality, it will be a deal at 1000.00. The 20D ups the bar, and lowers the price, which is what we all know happens in this industry about twice a year. But it will be hard to convince anyone who has not handled a Maxxum 7 that AS is preferable to a 20D with a 8+ MP. So if the M7D is 1500.00 it will be an awesome camera that is up against "bigger is better" psychology--and that's a strong tide. I see the 20D being wildly successful even if the Maxxum 7 takes better pictures, is an ergnomic wonder, and allows us Minoltians to dispense with tripods in most situations. The price matters, and in my opinion, KM will have to sell this for less than it's worth to get a peice of the action.

KM needs a profit, ofcoarse. What I wonder is, considering the research and development, how low can they go with the cost of the M7D? Currently they are using profit from the consumer series to fund the development of a cutting edge DSLR. If the M7D flies, the will have more money to produce the M9D and others, but if they undersell this camera in a close to break even scenario, will they continue to be able to fund DSLR development with their other markets?

I'm just unsure of the reality of production cost of a DSLR and the other profit sources for KM. But I do wonder, how low can they go? Canon builds their own sensors, and that cuts cost, so they can sell their DSLR for a bit less, and they have DSLR income to develop futures models.

What do you think? 1000.00 a smoking deal for the K7D? 1400.00 too high? 1200.00 a fair price for the camera? (All in light of the 20D and all the new offerings at Photokina).

At whatever price the M7D is going to be an amazing camera, and a "sleeper" just like the Maxxum 7 has always been. In my opinion the M7-- the best film camera made--is a well kept secret. It made a Minoltian out of me, quite unexpectedly when I was wandering in Canon land.

Cheers, Seth

--
What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?

zamboni · Aug 20, 2004

Options are wonderful! Looks like we all have some fun days of anticipation and choices ahead of us. I'm sure glad that we have some great options in front of us. I expect to find many happy campers out there who actually get to use their cameras rather than talking about them. Having existing glass is a real advantage. My choices would be much broader if that were not the case. Happy shopping!

Jim

KM 7D pricing and the newbie consumer

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