A 7D2 addressing the noise at higher ISOs is going to fly off the shelves. The AF is fantastic on the current 7D, so even a marginal improvement on a 7D2 would be all gravy. Of course it will be more money...at least for the first 8 months, just like every other camera that has been introduced. I'm not in the market for another APS-C right now, so whether it's $1,600 or $2,600 doesn't really matter to me. I AM in the market to replace a 5D2 that has been dropped one too many times, so will continue to watch the 5D3 pricing (though concerned about the repeatedly reported softness in the 5D3 video also experienced in the 6D). Lots of new cameras in the market and competition is good, let the competition do what it will to pricing. I just don't understand the trolls that complain every time a new version of anything (camera, lens, tripod) comes out with a price increase...especially the ones that aren't in the market anyway.
This is a good point about price. It seems that the prices of all electronics are on a slope over time. They are introduced at higher price. As time goes by, the price comes down. When they are due for replacement, the price is at its lowest. It's the same whether we are talking about cameras or televisions or computers.
So when the replacement product is introduced, its price is being compared to the price of the product that is being discontinued — a price that has been on a downward slope for several years. Canon gets bashed for the price of the 5DIII, which has many upgrades over the 5DII. At the same time, Canon gets no love for lowering the price of the 5DII to the cheapest it's ever been. When we talk about Canon's "astronomical prices", we should consider that the 5DII was $2,700 and is now $1,800 brand new, or something like $1,400 refurb. This is just part of the normal product cycle. If people are astonished by the $2,100 price of the 6D, they can wait and probably buy it for $1,800 or even $1,500 as time goes by.
Those who need to pre-order the 7DII, or buy it in the first 9 months, will no doubt pay the highest price. But there is something rational about this too. For those who need it most and soonest, the product has a higher value. They are willing to pay more than those who need it less or later. This is variable pricing, a way that manufacturer's charge different prices to different customers. As the price falls, it meets different budgets and triggers different customers to buy.
