So why Cosina won't make a RD2?

AI tells me:

"Zeiss admitted that the ZX1 "didn't sell" and there is "obviously no market for it".

Reasons for low sales

Several factors contributed to the camera's commercial failure, which was discontinued in 2023:

  • High Price: The camera retailed for a high price of $6,000 USD, putting it in a competitive category with well-established rivals like the Leica Q.
  • Delayed Release: The camera was first announced in 2018 but didn't become available until 2020, by which time many of its features felt outdated.
  • Lackluster Performance: Early previews and reviews noted that the Android operating system could be slow and laggy.
  • Awkward Ergonomics: The camera received criticism for its design, which reviewers felt compromised its usability.
  • Smartphone Competition: The ZX1 attempted to blend a dedicated camera with smartphone features. However, by the time it was released, smartphones were capable of producing high-quality photos and had already perfected the sharing experience, leaving a limited market for this type of hybrid device.
 
I was told informally that Zeiss imported zero to Australia. None. It’s a shame; a camera with lots of the features of a phone is surely the future of the enthusiast market, and I can imagine a huge number of professionals would like a camera with a cellular connection for instant upload.
That's a real shame. Back when this was announced, I asked Venus at CL if they would get the ZX1, and she said they would. Oh well. As someone who has pretty much found his 'vibe' with Zeiss lenses, I would have loved a ZX1. Now, the closest we can get is a Sony RX1 variant with all that entails, or a Leica Q variant with the crazy prices. My only concern would have been whether it was necessary to pay subscription fees for the inbuilt Lightroom.
 
I just found a video which sheds a lot more light on the ZX1 design and manufacture.



It says that the ZX1 lens was designed with the highest optical quality in mind in line with the Otus range, had its own bespoke sensor, and that each camera had 1000 tests shots that were used to calibrate each unit individual unit.

This video reminds of something I read elsewhere, that the ZX1 was intended more as a proof of concept, that Zeiss could make an innovative digital camera to the standards of the Otus line. This seems way off topic from the Epson R-D cameras, but it's related in that it's a small production run product with a very niche market.
 
That’s a mirrorless camera. And while very nice, that might be Epson’s idea of a successor, but it’s not really to me, or, I suspect, most people who have or had an R-D1.
Then be happy, because you didn't miss anything. 😆 Did you care about the RD1 once Leica got their act together and released the M8, followed by the M9? I didn't. IMO, every once in awhile, the camera industry throws us a very specific bone, and if you like it, you gotta grab it while you can, because there won't always be another.
 
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