Originally posted by ffking It should be noted that while it's true that the K-new has to compete it today's market, the D500 didn't launch at $1,500. and launch prices do come down,
The D500 price comes not only from the body, but from the system: Nikon has a bunch of fast, very expensive teles that the D500 could push with their 3D-tracking and the AF module is the same of the $6499 D5 which had been announced the same day - they sold the D500 to the numerous people in their userbase who wanted a lighter $6500 camera for birding with their expensive glass.
They also have a different market segmentation, because the then-current D7200 already had a 51-point
very good AF module, which is I guess the "class" the K-New is shooting for*. Therefore, they could charge a hefty surcharge on the "super premium" body (which again, was sold as a crop-sensor D5). I'd say that it's not the same situation, system-wise. Many K-3 users looking to upgrade are advanced amateurs who don't want a KP, not necessarily hardcore birders with $10K in glass. Pricing them out won't get them to upgrade. I still think that $1800 is the absolute reasonable maximum...
And according to some members, having a tilting touchscreen clearly accounts for half the cost of the D500 :D
*Although I have exactly 0 doubts that the K-New will be a better product because of a myriad reasons.