Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

PV-GS250 $ now that PV-GS300's are here...

Jan 30, 2006 8:24AM PST

On line retailers will temporarily stick it to customers for early PV-GS300's. MSRP is $699.

Once the initial, brief enthusiasm with the 300 is over, is there any reason to buy a PV-GS250 ? It seems like retailers are going to take a BIG hit if they hold any PV-GS250 inventory as the 300 undercuts it by $200. I doubt retailers can discount the PV-GS250 enough to make it a compelling buy. I would buy a 250 at a decent price but it seems like waiting a month for 300 pricing to settle out makes more sense as it will be newer and cheaper.

Thoughts ?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Same camera
Jan 30, 2006 2:11PM PST

There is really isn't much difference between the two.
Last time I saw a GS250 online it was $750. Why would you wait for the GS300? It's not a better camera, it's pretty much the same camera.
I doubt if the price is going to come down anymore on the GS250. Places will have less and less in stock making it harder for people to find.

- Collapse -
Same camera but (in theory) much lower price.... in theory..
Jan 31, 2006 5:28AM PST

That's my point. Same camera only the PV-GS250 typically runs $75-250 more than the MSRP of the new 300 camera. In the short run, retailers have run the price of the new PV-GS300 up an incremental $200, in some cases, over the MSRP. The only thing I can figure is that they have old inventory at the higher cost and don't want to get stuck with it.

- Collapse -
Prices
Jan 31, 2006 9:58AM PST

I can't imagine paying more than the MSRP. Sony hasn't even come out with their new cams yet, but B & H has their prices set at the MSRP.
If you do think that the GS300 will start out at $900, get a GS250.
Like I said, pretty much the same camera. My bet is they will be pretty much at the same price too.

- Collapse -
That's the oddity...
Jan 31, 2006 11:35AM PST

Regarding the PV-GS300 at the CES show in Las Vegas

"This year's line offers the advantages of 3CCD technology starting with a suggested retail price of $699.95," said Rudy Vitti, national marketing manager, Panasonic Optical Group.

- Collapse -
Price Differential
Feb 2, 2006 9:03AM PST

It appears that the price differential may be
based on the 300 model using the 150 series lens, not the 250 series.

That may or may not be a big deal since no one appears to have one to review. However, the regression in lens size usually... is reflected in production costs and retail prices.

- Collapse -
GS250 Fire Sale
Apr 3, 2006 7:51AM PDT

I found a GS250 alongside a GS300 at a local (Durham NC) BestBuy. Both were marked $699 but there was a sign on the register that said to give 20% off for discontinued models. So after flying home to confirm my research, I was back to pick up my GS250 which is just a more full-featured device than the GS300 (and no, I do not mean the manual focus).

I am finding places still selling the GS250 for $860+.

There is no reason I can discern that the quality of the output would not be identical as between the two models.

I like the GS250 a lot.

- Collapse -
Re: GS250 Fire Sale
Apr 4, 2006 1:25PM PDT

To clarify, did you get the GS250 for $460 (20% off $699) or did you pay $699 for it? If its $460, its a no brainer - I need to find one at Best Buy immediately! Thanks. - kbiev

- Collapse -
Best Buy
Apr 5, 2006 2:44PM PDT

I read on another forum that Best Buy was offering them for $399.
I went to several Best Buy stores in my area, but they were all sold out.
They did verify the price, though.
Pretty good deal.