Ltgk20
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 p.2 #5 · p.2 #5 · The new Nikon Z8 vs the Sony A7RV and potential A9III | |
I think the Z8 will be a great camera and very much what Nikon needed to release at this time (especialy if they can fill orders reasonably quickly and follow it with the 200-600 lens). Like the Z9 before it, I don't see it as a camera Nikon released to convert Sony and Canon users, but rather to continue to try to retain traditional Nikon users.
From a pricing perspective, I think Sony released the A1 at what was the traditional top tier price point and I also think it caught Canikon off guard with its outright performance. I think the R3 was priced less than Canon would have liked because, while an outstanding mirrorless version of their 1Dx series cameras, it wasn't quite up to the level of thte A1 (mainly in resolution). (I also sometimes wonder if the R3 wasn't the R1 until Sony released the A1. By the time the R1 is released a complete development cycle will have passed since the release of the A1.) However, they had already stabilized the 5D faithful with the very good R5 so they didn't need to respond too aggressively from a pricing perspective to ensure they retained existing customer base. With Nikon, I think they may have been caught a little off guard in how well received the smaller and lighter A1 and R3 bodies were. They also had a different problem than Canon in that the Z6ii and Z7ii, while great cameras, weren't on the same level as the R5 and left many Nikon faithful in the lurch considering a switch to Canon or Sony. I think the aggressive pricing of the Z9 may have been more about attracting those unsatisfied with the Z6ii/Z7ii pair to stretch a bit pricewise and stay with Nikon. I think the aggressive Z8 is another move to try to retain existing customers who either want a smaller bodied Z9, a mirrorless D850 or maybe to stretch a bit from the Z7ii to get it.
It'll be very interesting what happens in round 2. We know the R1 is coming at some point and if it performs at the top of the heap, I suspect it'll be priced in the traditional top of the heap range. If so, I think Sony will hold station with their A1ii pricing. If this happens I wouldn't be surprised to see the Z9ii priced back in the same range as the R1 and A1ii. However, it may be that Nikon will create enough downward price pressure to cause the R1 and A1ii to be priced lower. I suspect that none of the manufacturers really want that and all want to hold the $6500 to $7000 price range for the top tier.
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. I find CIPA battery showing the trend at least, if not that accurate.