Why is Dimage 7i Harder to Find?

[hkrause]

I'm shopping and notice that many places have the 7Hi but not the 7i. Is the 7i being phased out or maybe they're getting ready to come out with a new model?? If I get a 7i am I going to find next week that everybody has them on closeout? Or will the 7Hi price come down to where I would be better off getting one of those?

Anybody have leads on where to get these for a good price? Would also like a 5-yr extended warranty (yeah, I know, they're usually not worth it. But after having to trash my present digicam that I paid $550 for a couple years ago because it costs too much to fix, I'm gun-shy).

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Heather

[hkrause]

Follow-up: Local dealer indicates that they're not getting any new Minolta cameras in because Minolta is in "a state of flux" after being bought by Konica? I see press releases on the Minolta site discussing a stock swap and consolidation of management, etc.

I assume this has a bearing on my original question. Any thoughts on its relevance when considering purchase of a Minolta 7i / 7Hi?

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Heather

[sjms]

the 7i is being removed from the inventory just as the 7 was when the 7i came out. it isn't cost effective to keep relative identical cameras on the market when the newer (7Hi) has improvements. the only reason there is a large price discrepancy is due to they want to deplete the remaining 7i unit from inventory. as the inventory depletes then the 7 Hi will probable drop into a more palatable price range.

[hkrause]

Well, I probably just expedited the situation by buying a 7Hi. Therefore, prices will drop drastically within 2-3 weeks, history tells me.

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Heather

[sjms]

i know that feeling