Sales figures?

[Barry_Green]

What I'm curious about is if there's any independent group that gives actual sales data. Rueters or something?

No group does that, that I know of. That's why I make a point of polling dealers wherever I go, talking to as many as I can find. And I'm only interested in asking multi-line dealers, those who carry more than just one product.

I have no interest in what the manufacturers claim is going on, that's irrelevant and frequently misleading. What's important is: what's actually moving out the door? Who is actually buying what? In an information/training business, like I'm in, it doesn't pay to develop training for products that aren't moving; knowing the market share is key to what I do.

And I'm telling you, every dealer in the US I've ever talked to has said the HVX is flying off the shelves (and frequently backordered), the Z1 has comparatively dried up, they're selling between six and 10 DVXs for every HD100 or Z1, and nobody's asking for the Canon. That's in the US.

In New Zealand, the HD100 was DOA, the Z1 is still doing a decent amount of business (especially because it's a "world" camera), and the HVX is selling better than anyone would have expected or hoped. Outselling all the others combined. Not any action on the Canon front.

I'll find out what's what in Australia next week when I have a chance to talk to a bunch of Australian dealers (the customer training seminars are being held at dealerships, I believe). AUS is a unique situation because of how Panasonic Broadcast product gets distributed over there; it used to be handled by Rexel but no longer, so I would expect that during the transition, information and marketing has probably not gotten the word out as effectively as has happened in other territories. I'm sure the Z1 has had significant acceptance due to the head start and the established Sony brand, it'll be most interesting to find out how the Canon & JVC have done.

 

[Barry_Green]

How many HVX's are really sold in the EU?

The only people who know that are Panasonic Europe themselves. And they seem quite pleased.

If we do an HVX Bootcamp over there, I will make it a point to poll dealers there too.

 

[Nik Manning]

Well apple sure did sell alot of fx1s for sony when they were $2000. I wouldn't be surprised if sony has sold more at all. Even 5 to 1 compared to Panasonic. The sony was out longer and it's cheaper. The college I work for will be upgrading to a fx1 and a z1 from 2 pd150's. It is just easier for them to go to hd if they can keep the same workflow that they are use to. Quality/Price/Workflow have to be carefully considered when going to hd.

 

[bosindy]

I think the answer to this question is evident within this community. Has any other camera inspired what we see here? (nod to the dvx) Look at the amount of people that both visit and participate in this site. Look at the "who's using the HVX" sticky (soon to be added Peter Jackson) The camera has not been out a calendar year and ask what the HVX has meant to companies like Redrock, Bebob, Zacuto, Indie snap, Edius and alike. (those banner ads are not a coincidence) Look at the weekly ubiquitous posts asking "who has one in stock" and "should I go to for the 3k gray market roll the dice special." Check out the fact that someone from Panasonic posts here.

At the end of the day, I don't care if the other cameras sell well or someone trolls for the inevitable flame, go in peace. All signs indicate this camera has been a great success and will be supported for a long long time.