*sigh*
Come on, apply some common sense.
No need to be snitty, rude or condescend. With a degree in finance and a sound understanding of business and market segmentation, I'm not exactly ill-equipped to consider Canon's strategy.
80D list price $1199 rebated to $999
77D list price $899 rebated to $699
200D list price $549 rebated to $499
How many of the above were rebated at launch? Do you know what the street price of the EOS RP will be in a few months' time? Or what rebates and/or bundles will be available? Let's be sure to compare apples to apples, as it were.
I get it. Shoppers have those options available, and some will choose crop-sensor bodies with rebates. But who offers the rebates? Canon. If Canon felt the rebated Rebel sales were cannibalizing EOS RP sales, how long do you think it would take them to end the rebates? I'll let Canon make that decision.
I don't know who it's aimed at but it's not amateurs on a limited budget. Probably the rich 1%ers on this site looking to expand their travel kit...
You might answer your question by reading the opening line of the EOS RP product announcement from Canon:
"Responding to the demand from amateur and advanced amateur photographers for an entry-level, full-frame mirrorless camera..."
You can argue whether or not Canon knows its market and positioned this camera appropriately all you want, but there's no question who the EOS RP is aimed at. I'm confident Canon has a bit more market research at its disposal than you or me.
When Canon launched the original 6D (and Nikon the D600) back in 2012, there were plenty of naysayers on the internet insisting there's no market for it. Amateurs don't have $2,099, and pros wouldn't touch a watered down, entry-level body. And yet, that camera succeeded -- well enough to merit a Mark II, which launched less than two years ago for $1,999.
After seven years of experience in the entry-level full frame market, Canon now launches a mirrorless full frame body at
$1,299,
including adapter and grip extension (~$170 value), and you don't see it as an aggressively priced body?
Suit yourself...