Will Panasonic Be Releasing a new camera anytime soon?

[mb72378]

I am getting ready to purchase an HVX and I was wondering, when is panasonic planning on releasing either a new version of the HVX or a new updated camera? I know the HVX has been out for about 2 years now so I was worried that I would buy the camera and then a new one would come out. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Matt

[Jared Meyer]

What's soon? There's nothing announced, so not until sometime in '08 or even later.

Never a good idea to wait if you need it now. There will always be something better around the corner. Always.

[mb72378]

Jared,

Thanks, I am a college student filmmaker and I have been saving for a LONG time to buy this camera. I just want to make sure that right after I buy this (about 3 months) panasonic wont release a new "better" version of the HVX just like they did the DVX.

Thanks
Matt

[CHRIS7891011]

I just purchased one and I'm a college student as well.. good buy and it'll be useful for quite a few years

[Tom]

I felt the same way when I bought mine but after working with it I really understood what people mean when they say its not worth waiting. I am really happy with the HVX. Its a really nice camera. Better to buy one and start shooting.

[mb72378]

Chris

Where did you get yours and how much did you pay for it. B & H is selling it at a student discount for $4999.

Matt

[Barry_Green]

The only thing we've been told is that it won't be updated this year; it'll be 2008 at the earliest. But that doesn't mean it *will* be updated in 2008 either; we don't know. Might happen on jan. 1st, might happen on Dec. 31st, might not happen at all. We don't know.

So -- if you need it now, get it now. If you don't need it, why get it? Something newer is always around the corner. When you need something, get the best that's available at that time and don't look back.

[Mickey Munday]

man this question should be combined with the other 50 posts just like it and made as a sticky.

[DerrickTempleton]

Chris

Where did you get yours and how much did you pay for it. B & H is selling it at a student discount for $4999.

Matt

b&h live chat transcript from this morning:

Cory: is there a student discount on B&H# PAAGHVX200
MIKE C.: Welcome, Cory , We are reviewing your question and will be with you shortly.
MIKE C.: No, Panasonic does not have a student discount program


...?

[mb72378]

I talked with someone on the phone and they told me to sign up on the B&H website for a username and password. Then you go to education discounts and find your school. Once you do, on their website anything that says "edu discount" has been reduced for students who can verify enrollment. Panasonic only has a student discount on the HVX from what I understand. The original price is like $5,299 and the student price is like $4,999.

Matt

[DerrickTempleton]

that's amazing. i'll try it.

[sturge]

I can't seem to find the Education Discount page, and they're closed for holidays at the moment... any more info on how to get there?

[LuckyStudio 13]

If you dont need it now, wait a little bit more. Once the Sony XDCAM EX is out, Panasonic might give out better promotion to deter the potential buyer from the EX.

I also heard that the EX would come with 2x free 8 gig SxS card. *So maybe Panasonic would give out a free 16 gig p2 card.

*This is of course a pure speculation and not based on any facts.

Like Barry said, if you need it now, buy it now. If not, I would wait a bit longer.

[mb72378]

I called B&H yesterday because I had added the camera (with the student discount) to "my cart" on their website. Then, when I went back on their website I couldn't find it anymore. So, I talked with someone by the name of Mike C. on their chat service and asked him if they were still doing the student discount. He said yes. So basically I am going to keep the camera in "my cart" until I can buy it so that I will get the student discount. He said that they were still doing it so I would just call if I were you.

On the note of free 16gb p2 card, that would be sweet. I might just wait until that comes out to see what kind of offer Panasonic makes. A new battery is nice but not as nice as a free P2 card.

[DerrickTempleton]

the battery rebate has been extended to december 31. I doubt they will make a new p2 rebate that overlaps the current one...in which case it's at least 3 months before a new one pops up (+ 3 months waiting for it to get redeemed).

[marketmd]

Just pray for the Sony EX to come out ASAP. Mucho deals available when it does.

[mrWr0ng]

this problem exists everywhere in technology. look at the number of people who always ask "I want to get an ipod but should i wait for apple to put out new ones?"

face facts: sometime after you buy your camera, no matter WHICH camera you buy, a newer, better one will come out. It might be 3 days, it might be 3 months, but something better will come out. That's technology for you.

I just spent 2 weeks in another country traveling & shooting with the HVX and the images came out just beautiful. If I hadn't bought the camera, I wouldn't have the images at all, so why would I wait for something better to come out when there's ALWAYS something better down the road?

[Matthew R. Rodwell]

I am not buying my HVX until spring so hopefully some good will come out of waiting with the EX release and all.

[DerrickTempleton]

mr wrong: I'm not waiting for a better camera to buy, I'm waiting for a better camera to bump down the HVX's price. I know the HVX is the one I want. But I'm not gonna pay the same price as someone who got a free p2 card just to wind up with a useless anton bauer battery.

[mb72378]

I right there with you on that one. I would prefer a price cut over that battery. I'll just buy another 9 hour battery that fitso n the camera.

[John Godden]

mr wrong: I'm not waiting for a better camera to buy, I'm waiting for a better camera to bump down the HVX's price. I know the HVX is the one I want. But I'm not gonna pay the same price as someone who got a free p2 card just to wind up with a useless anton bauer battery.

You're going to wait for a loooooooooong time.

The EX is starting at a higher price than the HVX, so if anything, the X will seem like a "deal" at the current pricing.

However, it is possible that the X will include a rebate when the A model is announced. VERY unlikely for a price change though!

JohnG

[David S.]

My understanding is that new Sony is at least $8K USD.