Camera Price Charts Episode I: Fascinating – the Full Frame Price Gap of 2014 is Filled with most of the 2015 new releases

One of the most procrastinated posts perhaps in the history of this blog is finally here! The November 2015 edition of the Camera Price Charts. In this series, we take a snapshot of camera prices, and navel-gaze at the data and patterns that emerge. We start with the 35mm full frame digital cameras (DSLRs, mirrorless, rangefinders, fixed lens)…

Where Does The Data Come From?
The prices are the consensus prices between Amazon and B&H Photo and Adorama as of November 16 in 2015. These are new condition with USA warranty prices, from authorized dealers. All the prices are the body only kit prices. There are no mail-in rebates this time around. Older cameras that are no longer available in new condition with USA warranty from the above retailers are not included.

35mm Full Frame Camera Prices as of mid November 2015

The 2014 edition had three charts because the data required then. This year, as you can see in the chart below, we have a fascinating pattern emerge: Most of the new 35mm full frame cameras that were released in 2015 fit in the 2014 price gap between the Nikon D810 and the Leica M-E. Coincidence? I think not!

While the 2014 chart had a big gap, this year, we have an ergonomic price staircase. Notice the annotated red “NEW”! Fascinating indeed. It’s as if there is a method to the camera manufacturers’ madness 🙂

Click on the picture or open in new tab/window to view it at a bigger size!

camera_price_charts_nov2015_fullframe_annotated

The Gap of 2014 filled in 2015
Notice the big $2000 gap in the late December 2014 chart close-up below, between the Nikon D810 and the Leica MP.

camera_price_charts_nov2015_fullframe_gap2014

And now fast forward to November 2015, the $2000 gap has essentially disappeared, replaced by a staircase. Notice the cameras filling the gap, they are most of the new releases of 2015!

camera_price_charts_nov2015_fullframe_gap2015

Notice the NEW block above, framed by the Sony RX1, RX1R and Nikon D810 on one end and the Leicas on the other end. Very interesting indeed!

Footnotes

  • Prices as of November 16 in 2015 – see second paragraph above for details
  • Typos, errors, confusions, omissions are always possible. Please leave a comment or use the online contact form. If I don’t notice an error and no one mentions it, it won’t get fixed on its own 🙂