The S9 is selling well apparently !

[pdk42]

While Polarizing, the Lumix S9 is Already Outselling Panasonic's Expectations

Pre-orders have outpaced expectations.

petapixel.com

Looks like I might need to eat humble pie since I reckoned the S9 would be a flop. So. never listen to anything I say about camera marketing

But I'm actually glad I'm wrong!

 

[pdk42]

But of course, it could just be a marketing ploy by Panasonic... how can we validate whether sales meet their expectations when we know neither the expectations nor the sales !!

 

[Quentinquirelino]

But of course, it could just be a marketing ploy by Panasonic... how can we validate whether sales meet their expectations when we know neither the expectations nor the sales !!

But some of us pre-ordered or are thinking about to order and are looking at the availability. Panasonic probably wouldn't make a camera if the wouldn't expect a reasonable demand so they can make money with it. And if they produce to little for the expected demand, do that it's sold out quickly, they would sell less than they could by purpose. That wouldn't make much sense neither.

 

[Markuswelder]

I think that they (Panasonic) might have taken a bit of a look at the G100, and come up with a bit of a plan along those lines, except in 35mm format. The G100 is pretty much universally despised on photography forums, yet Sean Robinson? from Panasonic let slip that it sells ridiculously well (his words) for them, in one of his Lumix live videos feeds. It was also marketed as a video tool. Now why, or how would a technically deficient camera be able to manage that?
Sure, they've modified the formula a little bit -taken away the EVF, but added in IBIS. Taken away autofocus in the pancake, but given us Lumix Lab. I think they've tried to make it a fun camera to play with, and experiment with, rather than a technical tour de force, chasing absolute perfection in video & stills quality. Capable of excellent results, but without costing a fortune.
I'm only throwing a few ideas out there, could be totally wrong, but if they'd already had their @r$es battered over the G100, do you think they'd be up for another round, with an even more expensive offering?

 

[Pete_W]

I think that they (Panasonic) might have taken a bit of a look at the G100, and come up with a bit of a plan along those lines, except in 35mm format. The G100 is pretty much universally despised on photography forums, yet Sean Robinson? from Panasonic let slip that it sells ridiculously well (his words) for them, in one of his Lumix live videos feeds. It was also marketed as a video tool. Now why, or how would a technically deficient camera be able to manage that?
Sure, they've modified the formula a little bit -taken away the EVF, but added in IBIS. Taken away autofocus in the pancake, but given us Lumix Lab. I think they've tried to make it a fun camera to play with, and experiment with, rather than a technical tour de force, chasing absolute perfection in video & stills quality. Capable of excellent results, but without costing a fortune.
I'm only throwing a few ideas out there, could be totally wrong, but if they'd already had their @r$es battered over the G100, do you think they'd be up for another round, with an even more expensive offering?

I agree. A fun camera that's easy to use but provides great image quality, and an app that enhances creativity.

I quite liked the first 3 minutes of this video where Dustin Armstrong talks to his wife about the S9:

 

[Markuswelder]

I agree. A fun camera that's easy to use but provides great image quality, and an app that enhances creativity.

I quite liked the first 3 minutes of this video where Dustin Armstrong talks to his wife about the S9:

That's a great video. I was giggling the whole time his Wife was talking about the camera she'd choose. The complete & utter antithesis of your typical forum participant. Little wonder the camera is getting caned on gear sites & forums
He also makes some great points later on in the video too. I'll not dive into them, but I thought he was pretty fair and honest about it all. Thanks for posting it up

 

[Richard Wong]

I think that they (Panasonic) might have taken a bit of a look at the G100, and come up with a bit of a plan along those lines, except in 35mm format. The G100 is pretty much universally despised on photography forums, yet Sean Robinson? from Panasonic let slip that it sells ridiculously well (his words) for them, in one of his Lumix live videos feeds. It was also marketed as a video tool. Now why, or how would a technically deficient camera be able to manage that?

While it doesn't mean everything, . But check this latest sales figure from Japan and see where the g100 is at

カテゴリ別 ランキング - BCN＋R

毎週更新！　BCNランキング週間売れ筋ランキング

www.bcnretail.com

And note it's listed more than once in that list .

 

[pdk42]

While it doesn't mean everything, . But check this latest sales figure from Japan and see where the g100 is at

カテゴリ別 ランキング - BCN＋R

毎週更新！　BCNランキング週間売れ筋ランキング

www.bcnretail.com

And note it's listed more than once in that list .

It's the only Lumix camera in the top 50 ! The Sony XV-E10 is selling well though.

But is the Nikon D7500 (at number 50) really selling better than any other Lumix camera (than the G100)? Is the S5ii really not in the top 50? I'm suspicious/surprised by this.

 

[Oíche]

But is the Nikon D7500 (at number 50) really selling better than any other Lumix camera

That's a £700 mid range APSC DSLR, it''s stange that would be top 50.

Wex UK don't sell it new, only have FF D6, D850 and D780 DSLRs for those die-hards, heavily/invested or work in the press or something.

To think I only went mirrorless 5 months ago already feels like years.

 

[Oíche]

That's a £700 mid range APSC DSLR, it''s stange that would be top 50.

... Considering Z30, Z50 and ZF-C can be bought for £600-£800, roughly same money as D7500? Who knows? Japan maybe has more older photographers, Pentax still has it's biggest market there for example.

 

[Nomad Nate]

I'm a little suspicious to be honest. I remember they said the same thing of the s5ii https://petapixel.com/2023/01/19/demand-for-the-s5-ii-is-so-high-panasonic-is-short-on-pre-orders/

still they were already selling it at massive discounts mere months later and never heard of any actual shortages.

 

[Richard Wong]

It's the only Lumix camera in the top 50 ! The Sony XV-E10 is selling well though.

But is the Nikon D7500 (at number 50) really selling better than any other Lumix camera (than the G100)? Is the S5ii really not in the top 50? I'm suspicious/surprised by this.

I'm not that too surprised the D7500 is on the list. I still see a lot of people shooting with DSLRs in Japan. If Nikon DSLR users want to upgrade/replace their camera, this is one of the cheapest options.

I'm also not surprised S5II is not in top 50, quite a lot of cameras I thought more popular are also not in that list, for example Z6II/Z7II, A7SIII, X100VI, Ricoh GR..etc

 

[Quentinquirelino]

The Japanese camera store map camera released its monthly sales chart for June. And guess what, the S9 takes the second place. I'm no expert in Japanese camera market, but usually Panasonic cameras are not that often on such lists at all. Looks like the S9 is doing well, at least in Japan.

June 2024 sales data from Mapcamera: The Lumix S9 takes the second spot! - L mount system camera rumors and news

Spec comparison here at BHphoto The large Japanese store Mapcamera has shared the top 10 best-selling cameras in June: FujiFilm X-T50 Lumix S9 Sony α7C II Nikon Z f FujiFilm X100VI Nikon Z8 Sony α7IV Sony α7RV Canon EOS R6 Mark II FujiFilm GFX100sII For the first time ever, I saw a Lumix camera...

www.l-rumors.com

That said, the camera is easy to get here in Germany and I think in most of Europe. But I think it's still hard to get in some smaller markets. On Facebook I've read some comments of Canadian customers, who are less lucky and still have waiting lists to get a body. The guys from PetaPixel mentioned in one of there latest potcast that some markets, especially China, EU and USA, are prioritised and are more likely to have higher stock. While smaller markets, like Canada, are more likely to have lower stock.

However, it seems Panasonic are doing well with the S9. But now they can give us some S1 line successor. I'm still hoping for a high resolution camera soon.

 

[dirk]

The guys from PetaPixel mentioned in one of there latest potcast that some markets, especially China, EU and USA, are prioritised and are more likely to have higher stock.

I guess Panasonic delivers more S9 to those markets with higher price tags and therefore higher margins.

Interestingly, map camera reports that the sales for S9 body only outperforms the S9 kit offers significantly.

That would indicate that more existing L-Mount users buy the S9 than new customers for L-Mount. With a price tag of around 1.250€ for the body only at Map cameras, this is easier to understand.

I will definitely have a look at Map cameras when I am in Japan.

 

[Quentinquirelino]

..
Interestingly, map camera reports that the sales for S9 body only outperforms the S9 kit offers significantly.

That would indicate that more existing L-Mount users buy the S9 than new customers for L-Mount. With a price tag of around 1.250€ for the body only at Map cameras, this is easier to understand.

...

Maybe. Or many are buying it to pare it with third party options or Sigma lenses. I also don't know if you get the 26/8 for free with a body in Japan. If so, maybe there are using it with the 26/8.

For me, one of the reasons I haven't ordered one yet are the kit options. Currently there is no interesting kit in Germany.

 

[dirk]

For me, one of the reasons I haven't ordered one yet are the kit options. Currently there is no interesting kit in Germany.

That is true. But even with the upcoming 18-40mm zoom, I find the S9 coupled with the Sigma 24/3.5 and 50/2.0 the better choice. The aperture 4.5-6.3 of the Lumix zoom is for my use cases for these focal lenghts not really attractive.

By the way, if somebody among the L-Mount or MFT community is in Japan during 20.7. and 3.8., feel free to send me a PM, so we can do a spontanious first official user meeting in Japan

I will be in Tokyo, Osaka and some other spots during this time.

 

[Mister Sloane]

Maybe. Or many are buying it to pare it with third party options or Sigma lenses. I also don't know if you get the 26/8 for free with a body in Japan. If so, maybe there are using it with the 26/8.

For me, one of the reasons I haven't ordered one yet are the kit options. Currently there is no interesting kit in Germany.

Yes, the lens is free for a limited time in Japan - I also saw that Panasonic are running a photo competition for the S9 and 26mm. *edit* here’s the competition link: https://panasonic.jp/dc/contents/campaign/s9-photocontest.html

I was reading some discussion about that store’s sales and someone pointed out that Map Camera typically caters for an older, affluent customer. (I’ve previously read it’s noted for its secondhand and Leica sections.) could be quite a few factors at play why people are going for the body-only option.

I’m in the UK and the green body option is the one that is the one most likely out of stock; one retailer is listing that more stock is expected in mid-August (another is saying 5-7days) and FWIW, I’ve been waiting about 7 weeks. I’ve also seen the 20-60mm with the green being sold out. However, some retailers like UKDigital (who are also throwing in a free SmallRig L-shaped grip) do have the green one, so if you shop around, you can get it. Some retailers are listing the blue out of stock as well, one has only the red in-stock for the body-only option and I’ve also seen the black one out of stock as well. (Poor red one!)

Of course without knowing how much stock was supplied in the first place, it’s hard to know how well it’s selling, obviously! One of the supply complications with offering different colour kits is that certain options prove more popular than others.

I have noticed that when the camera was announced in Japan, the option is black body and either silver or black top, but you could then send it off and get the body colour changed. Details have since been released about how this works - https://panasonic.jp/dc/products/DC-S9/feature.html#exterior

I meant to post about this to see what people thought about this kind of service. I thought it could reduce buyer remorse and (a little more seriously) if the leatherette gets worn (as I find they do) you can get it replaced. I always thought that Panasonic could offer limited edition exterior, possibly collaborations with other companies (as Leica has done with camera bodies).

 

[CMS]

That would indicate that more existing L-Mount users buy the S9 than new customers for L-Mount.

Yes, I am one of them. I convinced myself to buy the S9 and after some testing I decided to sell my S5 (first generation) for it.
I'm not the target audience for this because I don't use social media as a content creator at all.
We'll see if more content creators or family men with cameras join this forum soon.

 

[Lsake]

While Polarizing, the Lumix S9 is Already Outselling Panasonic's Expectations

Pre-orders have outpaced expectations.

petapixel.com

Looks like I might need to eat humble pie since I reckoned the S9 would be a flop. So. never listen to anything I say about camera marketing

But I'm actually glad I'm wrong!

I thought the price would hold it back. It’s good news that it’s doing so well, but I suspect most early customers aren’t the people they aimed to target. I’ve seen anecdotal evidence that it’s been picked up by the small camera/street/edc/travel photography crowd.

 

[dirk]

I'm not the target audience for this because I don't use social media as a content creator at all.

Me neither and I am thinking about buying the S9 too

I’ve seen anecdotal evidence that it’s been picked up by the small camera/street/edc/travel photography crowd.

Maybe that crowd is not as small as people think. A tool for family vacations which even the wife and the kids are able to operate.

I do not think that Panasonic had this target group in mind. But same as Ricoh which still thinks that their GR3 is a street photography tool, both oversee the full potential of these cameras for many different use cases.

If the price is low and if there are no problems with warranty etc., I will probably buy an S9 in green.

Just in case, I will take my Sigma 24/3.5 and 50/2.0 with me to Japan to have a lens for the S9. The rest will be MFT.