Those in the know--Any chance of 10D price cut?

[MMardis]

As most who will read this already know, the Canon press releases today mentioned nothing of a new 10D successor. That said, I've been waiting to invest in a dslr and will still buy a 10D over a D70 based on the numerous outstanding reviews of both performance and build quality vis-a-vis other Nikon products. (Bird in the hand...) However, before I part with the cash today, does any experienced Canon-watcher expect price-cuts on the 10D to be announced at the PMA in order to thwart the Nikon advance? Not looking to "troll," but I'm certainly interested in opinions and advice based on knowledge of past Canon practice. (And yes, the obvious reply is to just wait the few days and see, but I figured I'd ask anyway--if such a thing is unheard of from Canon, I'd rather be clicking away than waiting.)

[CyberDyneSystems]

I am NOT "in the know" so don't bank on anything I say :)

But I think it is conceivable that the price of the 10D may come dow,.. but I would not expect to see it change before the release of the D70.

The trouble is,. can Canon drop the rebel price so soon as well? For the 10D to come down, the Drebel will have to come down as well. It will be interesting to see how this pans out.

[rsnadel]

Given that most retailers still have trouble keeping the 10D in stock, and those that early-on reduced the price have since gone back to what everyone else is selling them for, what would be the motivation to Canon to take less for the camera?

[Jim Larson]

First, I WILL state the obvious: Wait one week. Then all will be clear.
DUH. If you MUST order today, well then DO IT. Something must be driving you other than simple logic :)

Second: If the 10D price is cut, there is *no* reason to cut the dRebel price. Unless you make the 10D under $1000. Frankly, I am surprised that the 10D was not cut to $1200 several months ago. These cameras have fundamentally the same guts. There is *not* a $600 difference in the cost of production.

Third: I agree that there are only three downward drivers on 10D prices: (1) 10-II. (2) D70 hitting the shelf. (3) Another competitor stepping up to the plate. None of this happened today. (1) and (3) may happen in a week. (2) will happen in a few months.

What I see is that Canon is trying (hopefully in vain) to keep up the prices of its product line. The "high" price of the 1D-II is evidence of that. The new Pro-P&S is a completely new beast to protect the low end dSLR's => and I think a key to their product strategy. By having a full feature P&S with "L" glass, they are hoping to compete with the Sony's and coolpix cameras with something that is not a SLR. If they can do that with a $1000 P&S, then you could reason that the SLR's (with the inherent flexibility of the lenses) should be more expensive. This serves to remove downward cost pressure on the entire dSLR lineup.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I think you would need to cut the price of the Rebel as well simply because if there were only a $200.00 difference between the 10D and the Rebel,. no one would buy the Rebel.

Canon clearly wants to sell more Rebels as they cost less to make. So Canon would not want to hurt the Rebel sales.

[roanjohn]

I think you would need to cut the price of the Rebel as well simply because if there were only a $200.00 difference between the 10D and the Rebel,. no one would buy the Rebel.

Canon clearly wants to sell more Rebels as they cost less to make. So Canon would not want to hurt the Rebel sales.

Very unlikely.......with the PRO 1 priced almost the same as the D rebel kit, I don't think the Rebel would go down in price.........

Remember, the Rebel is still 300 USD cheaper than the D70, so there is still competition.

As for the 10D, a price drop of 100 USD is probably in store, making it equal to the D70 outfit.

Oh well, I'm hoping for the better and expecting the worst.....

Ro1

[torsten]

What I see is that Canon is trying (hopefully in vain) to keep up the prices of its product line.
I think this is true. The current Canon pricing is artificial, based on a lack of competition in that segment. But the rationale for keeping the 10D priced high ends as soon as the D70 hits the market. I am desperately hoping that the D70 is a seriously excellent camera. If it's AF is better than the 10D and the image quality is similar (think D100 noise levels or better), then Canon will have to cut the 10D by at least $500. Either that or loose market share to Nikon. The question is, how stubborn are they?

I also agree with the above..... that the 10D is not worth $600 more than the Rebel. Nowhere near it. I mean just how much does magnesium alloy cost?

To compete, they either have to slash prices drastically on their year-old camera, OR Fix the 10D's AF, keep the 6.3 CMOS, give it a black polycarbonate body, and price it equal to the Nikon. I'd buy instantly.

But now seems like the worst time to buy if money is a significant issue.

[torsten]

Remember, the Rebel is still 300 USD cheaper than the D70, so there is still competition.

As for the 10D, a price drop of 100 USD is probably in store, making it equal to the D70 outfit.
Huh? It doesn't seem realistic to compare a camera body to camer + lens. Body-only, the Rebel is $100 cheaper than the D70. And how would a $1400 10D body be equal in any way to a $1000 D70? At current pricing, the D70 is $500 less. Ouch.

[scottbergerphoto]

These cameras have fundamentally the same guts. There is *not* a $600 difference in the cost of production.
Jim,
I don't think that is accurate. A previous poster provided data/pictures that show that the 10D uses 3 boards to do what the Drebel does in one board.
Scott

[Tom W]

These cameras have fundamentally the same guts. There is *not* a $600 difference in the cost of production.
Jim,
I don't think that is accurate. A previous poster provided data/pictures that show that the 10D uses 3 boards to do what the Drebel does in one board.
Scott

Not to mention the frame/body construction.

[roanjohn]

I think it'll also depend on how much Nikon will slash the D100 price. If they mark it lower than the D70, then I think the 10D will have to go in the same direction..............Or all the new prospective buyers will end up going to Nikon camp......

Ro1

Everything will be clear when this freakin winter is over!!!! Can't wait - to buy.

[photography By Evangelos]

My take on this is they will not lower the price of the 10D it is the best camera in the 6 Pixel bunch by far. The body is built very well. Nikon nor Fuji or Pentax for that matter have any camera as good 10D not even the D70. The only one which is good out of all of them is the S2 and now the S3. Canon is the clear leader and they know what they are doing. I say no price change is needed but always wanted by all to save some green$$ :D

Angelo :)

[Man-Fai Wong]

These cameras have fundamentally the same guts. There is *not* a $600 difference in the cost of production.
Jim,
I don't think that is accurate. A previous poster provided data/pictures that show that the 10D uses 3 boards to do what the Drebel does in one board.
Scott

I don't know about $600 diff, but even Phil Askey's D-Rebel review shows the 10D to be noticeably better at high ISOs.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos300d/page13.asp

I guess it all depends on how all the gains in various areas add up for you.

BTW, like any prospective buyer, I'd love to see some price cuts of course. :D

_Man_