$399 Coolpix A at BH!!

[valdas]

I just can't really understand who these cameras are marketed to. I just can't see any advantage over an iPhone 6

Maybe, if you already have iPhone 6. Otherwise iPhone 6 is about $800 vs 399 Coolpix...

 

[Paddy C]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that Nikon took a bath on the Coolpix A. Probably not a big deal given the small number produced and expected to sell and how it fit into Nikon's overall offering. But not a proud moment for them I'm sure.

 

[f16sunshine]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that Nikon took a bath on the Coolpix A. Probably not a big deal given the small number produced and expected to sell and how it fit into Nikon's overall offering. But not a proud moment for them I'm sure.

Maybe they did. The thing is the R+D that was done is still theirs.
It's a pretty innovative little camera. I'm sure many engineering elements will spill over.
So a bath on unit sales but probably a positive in other ways. Could be a wash if they make smart moves.

The camera missing in the fixed lens large sensor area is a 50mm model.
Nikon could be the first and do very well.
Ricoh does not have much tradition at that focal length. As much as I would like to see it I don't think Ricoh will bring a longer than 28 equiv. Focal length to the GR line.

 

[daveleo]

Cameras are not sold like oranges, you don't buy a case and hope they don't go rotten.

There is a system which, without going into detail, is based on an ever decreasing price from the first day pre-orders are taken -- to the end of its cycle closeout -- mixed in with complicated incentive structures.

The goal is to make money for everyone on the entire life cycle of the product, which as everyone who looks at financial statements from manufacturers knows, does not always end well. Many companies give away their merchandise to stay in business, sometimes for years.

Yes, the selling price should be (somewhat) steadily decreasing enough to keep units moving. I think Nikon didn't quite do this right with the CoolpixA, aside from coming in too high to start with.
As jsrockit is suggesting, they may well be just cutting their losses at this $399 point.

 

[Prest_400]

Jees, you get most of these deals on the other side of the pond!

Well, a couple of years ago I was able to snatch my EPL2 for 200€ (~250$) that a department store had. A single unit together with an EPL1.

As of the discussion of the lens. I wonder if a short zoom / dual focal length could be feasible for this kind of cameras.
A 28/35 convertible or 28-40 lens could be interesting. I kind of see the optical limitations though (well, weight/size of the lenses).

For compactness I'd rather go for an RX100, and those aren't going down in price much...

 

[cz23]

For a while now the GR has been the most camera for the money that I can think of. Now comes a direct competitor that, by all accounts, is right up there with the GR. At this price I think the Coolpix A is an amazing opportunity. If I didn't own a GR, I'd certainly go for it.

John

 

[valdas]

Included is a phone, iTunes, Kindle, Google Maps, AirPlay, and Facetime. 🙂

Which I don't need anyway 🙂 Well, I need a phone, but I have an old Nokia, not "smart", but battery last about a week without charging...

 

[GaryLH]

For a while now the GR has been the most camera for the money that I can think of. Now comes a direct competitor that, by all accounts, is right up there with the GR. At this price I think the Coolpix A is an amazing opportunity. If I didn't own a GR, I'd certainly go for it.

John

The Nikon was said to be able to focus in darker conditions then the Ricoh.. But I still went w/ the Ricoh because of my familiarity w/ the gxr plus at the time the Ricoh was way cheaper. If Sony had dropped the price when the Ricoh gr was announced, I probably would have spent much more time trying to decide.


Gary

 

[btgc]

The thing is this generations of GR, A and such may well be one of last compact cameras we see manufactured. Further there will be smarthones and niche system cameras. Do you agree?

 

[valdas]

Everyone is different,

exactly, that's why I do understand why people buy Coolpix over iPhone 🙂

 

[valdas]

However -- obviously not many bought one. Maybe now as they are phased out?

yes, at the cost of >1k USD it was not attractive, but I don't see how that has anything to do with an iPhone...

 

[valdas]

I understand you don't. 🙂

But many consumers understand completely -- and are spending their money accordingly.

I agree that many consumers spend money on different stuff - usefull, less usefull and completely useless. They also spend money on tobacco, junk food, other addictions. What does it prove?

I also have iPhone 6, only because my company gave me it. I don't use it as a camera, unless i need to take a picture of a price tag or something like that (i.e to document for practical reasons). For panorama shots I use widelux. I don't need video. How much you can control apperture and DOF with an iPhone? FUN? Fun is subjective. Shooting using a cell phone and sharing this online immediately is something I would never do. Superiority of a product vs another is subjective and individual. Camera vs smartphone is even more subjective.