$9,490 for an HPX170 - good deal?

[Bowen]

Just kidding - it's actually the Pal Land 172 version. But I thought it might make you guys feel good to know that's the "bargain" store price in Australia as of February. (I paid $6,800 for mine in Oz just before Xmas! Wish I'd bought two now!!) All the warnings were there but I don't think anybody anticipated such a huge increase.

[Noel Evans]

Thats just insane. I noticed everything has skyrocketed. But thats still about $1000USD above the US price, ridiculous.

Similar story with the HPX500 walk away now with no batteries and no lens for the nominal price of $22500.

Of course the Aussie dollar is way down right now. Good for foreign investment here and tourism, not so good for electronics. Retailers here are going to be hit with a double whammy, low dollar keeping prices up and no one spending due to economic climate.

:S I just calculated current cost of my HPX500 with monitor, battery charger, batteries and p2, not included support equip. audio etc, just those things mentioned and right now in Aus you will be looking at $52000. Thats

Camera
Lens
IDX charger
4 x IDX e10 batteries
BTLH80 monitor
P2 x 4 16gb

Havent even factored in small things like cables.

On the other upside, anyone needs any work done let me know my rates are currently 35% cheaper than the US.

[John Caballero]

It seems that a lot of us will be hanging to the equipment we already have for a very long time.

[ozfish]

Hi Bowen,
I am also glad I bought my HPX172 prior to xmas, got a really good deal through a West Australian agent ie $6500 doing a fishing DVD in PNG in May with it
Regards
Oz Fish
Karratha
W.A

[The Media Monster]

Panasonic just layed off 15,000 employees and closed like 20 factories or something crazy...

[David Saraceno]

But that's the whole company -- and Panasonic makes a variety of products from blu ray set tops to computers to big screen TVs.

So, we don't know how professional video fared.

[Noel Evans]

It seems that a lot of us will be hanging to the equipment we already have for a very long time.

Well this is a good point right now. I think many will hold on to what they have right now for a decent period anyway. Which means if you did buy (here in Aus when the dollar was up like these guys who got the 172), well you may just be ahead of the game for awhile.

If I were to consider purchasing the 500 now, doubt I would - not for current prices here.

[fritz]

I got my 172 just before xmas too, and I'm really glad I did! I must say, the guys I spoke to at Panasonic were very up front about saying that prices were going up in the new year. I started enqiring in early December, and they told me it's $6850 right now, but it will be 30% more expensive if you don't get it before xmas. It's not just the drop against the US dollar, the aussie has been caned against the yen and that's what drives the prices of these cameras for us.

On the bright side, I have an HVX200 which I'm looking to sell and the RRP of a new HVX200a in Australia is now $11,127 - or about $10k for the bargain price! What do you think I could get for a pristine 1.5 yr old 200 with low hours?