New class =
- fixed-lens / slightly-wide-to-short-tele zoom
- nearly APS-C sized sensor & DSLR-like IQ & ISO performance
- enthusiast/semi-pro build-quality & premium price ($799 / far above entry-level DSLR)
[ major current unknown: autofocus speed and performance ]
BACKGROUND: You may recall that Sony tried something kinda like this in 2005 with their Sony R1. Top-grade lens and decent sensor, but rather bulky/heavy, and the speed/responsiveness/performance were much too slow for the $1000 price-tag. Nevertheless, last time I checked, the R1 had 39 five-star reviews on Amazon out of a total of 47 reviews -- i.e., those who bought it liked it, just not enough shooters were willing to spend $1000 for it.
1) Will the G1 X sell well enough to entice Nikon and/or Sony to compete head-to-head in this new class?
2) Even if Nikon & Sony do not join in, will the G1 X do well enough for Canon to produce at least a couple more generations of the G1 X over the next few years? With maybe the second or third one will having an electronic viewfinder?
3) Will the price of this camera fall from $799 to $699 (or maybe even $649) anytime soon? Does the camera need a hefty price drop to survive?
4) What, if anything, should Canon have done differently, to more effectively carve out this niche in the current digital camera marketplace?
~ thanks for your answers ~
- fixed-lens / slightly-wide-to-short-tele zoom
- nearly APS-C sized sensor & DSLR-like IQ & ISO performance
- enthusiast/semi-pro build-quality & premium price ($799 / far above entry-level DSLR)
[ major current unknown: autofocus speed and performance ]
BACKGROUND: You may recall that Sony tried something kinda like this in 2005 with their Sony R1. Top-grade lens and decent sensor, but rather bulky/heavy, and the speed/responsiveness/performance were much too slow for the $1000 price-tag. Nevertheless, last time I checked, the R1 had 39 five-star reviews on Amazon out of a total of 47 reviews -- i.e., those who bought it liked it, just not enough shooters were willing to spend $1000 for it.
1) Will the G1 X sell well enough to entice Nikon and/or Sony to compete head-to-head in this new class?
2) Even if Nikon & Sony do not join in, will the G1 X do well enough for Canon to produce at least a couple more generations of the G1 X over the next few years? With maybe the second or third one will having an electronic viewfinder?
3) Will the price of this camera fall from $799 to $699 (or maybe even $649) anytime soon? Does the camera need a hefty price drop to survive?
4) What, if anything, should Canon have done differently, to more effectively carve out this niche in the current digital camera marketplace?
~ thanks for your answers ~