I just read a thought-provoking article on EOSHD about the current state of camera prices. It raises some interesting questions about whether manufacturers are losing touch with reality, especially when you look at the stark differences between new and used gear.

EOSHD.com - Filmmaking Gear and...

Camera prices - Have the Japanese taken leave of their se...

A Fujifilm JPEG-only half-frame toy for 850 smackers, the latest Sony flagship for 7000 something + tax, and the new mid-range “standard model” S1 II from Panasonic yours for a bargain $4000 with ‘...

Google says these are the CIPA sales volumes for DSLRs; I'm sure the trend has carried past 2023. My guess would be that we shall see some consolidation in the manufacturing space.. some M&A.

Ajay

Everybody is loosing contact with reality. Just look at the prices for the housings. It's incredible.

2 hours ago, Thomas said:

Everybody is loosing contact with reality. Just look at the prices for the housings. It's incredible.

Amen

I agree totally that prices everywhere are getting out of hand - but we must always remind ourselves that we no longer pay for film either

On 5/22/2025 at 9:23 PM, Ajay said:

Google says these are the CIPA sales volumes for DSLRs; I'm sure the trend has carried past 2023. My guess would be that we shall see some consolidation in the manufacturing space.. some M&A.

Ajay

That’s just for DSLRs eh? They are a shrinking part of the market.

7 hours ago, Thomas said:

Everybody is loosing contact with reality. Just look at the prices for the housings. It's incredible.

Housings are pretty crazy, but it’s likely good to remind ourselves that underwater imaging is a small segment of the larger imaging tech world.

Maybe trying to create a Leica vibe, make it expensive enough to become a status symbol. It's probably inevitable prices will go up if sales volumes are not there, outside of enthusiasts or perhaps hipsters who buy retro models most people just use their phones and are not interested in cameras. Couple that with sensor development topping out at least IMO, sensitivity, noise and dynamic range improvements are really only incremental today and its going into readout speed and computational photography.

I'd like to counter the "we're only gonna die" trend-chart that that @shokwaav posted above with recent CIPA trends.
Make sure not to confuse DSLM (which is state of the art) with DSLR (which is just a 2nd hand market today) sales numbers.

The chart shows Interchangeable Lens DSC.

So the influencing factor is more likely to be inflation, tariffs and increased labour + parts costs.
Which basically accounts to all products sold and build.

What regards the title of this tread "Camera Prices: Have Manufacturers Lost Their Minds?", I think the manufacturers are mentally completely o.k. since they earn a lot of money by their strategies ...🙂

Maybe it is the mental health of us customers, who are diligently paying such prices, that is at risk...😄

Wolfgang

54 minutes ago, Architeuthis said:

Maybe it is the mental health of us customers, who are diligently paying such prices, that is at risk...😄

https://waterpixels.net/forums/topic/2667-sony-announced-the-ultimate-compact-camera-today-but-pricy-sony-rx1r-iii/#findComment-18121

Having always stayed at APS-C or under for my UW photographic pursuits I do find many in the tiny UW imaging world always waiting for the "next big thing".

This despite current equipment having incredible AF and exposure, large file sizes and capability for any creativity....I see many miss just jumping in to go have fun shooting......

Scroll down on one of my favorite web sites read daily. Ken Rockwell's Aug. 7th post on getting what you want NOW rings true in my book......

https://kenrockwell.com/tech/00-new-today.htm

I'm happy with my choices and continue to get outfitted and dive having fun shooting underwater as often as possible. I learn something new (and challenge myself) every time I get below the surface with a camera.......

Just one old guy's opinion :)

David Haas

Here's one example:

Diving our local quarry last Sunday the "hazy" 4' - 6' of visibility didn't stop me from trying various techniques. I'm a wide to medium shooter these days anyway meaning get close!

Canon R100, RF-S 10-18mm IS lens, Ikelite DLM housing with compact 6" dome port. Shot with ambient light plus a few with a pair of 2,000 lumen Orcatorch video lights not effective past maybe 2' in daylight LOL......

I edited them after "pinging" some files to my iPhone directly from my Canon R100. The iPhone only SeaReal App for color with the one slider then 45 additional seconds per photo using Apple's Photos App included with every Apple / Mac product :)

Edited August 7Aug 7 by dhaas