Alternatives to the Sony HDR FX7?

April 15, 2009 4:34 AM

I was all geared up to purchase a Sony HDR FX7 camcorder, but it is now obsolete. What alternatives are there?

I ordered the camera, case and tripod from various websites to get the best price, but the camera is now obsolete and my order has been cancelled.

I'm now stuck with a Sony case, and Tripod (delivered already) designed for a camera I can no longer buy. The tripod has the interface for Sony cameras on the handle, and the case has custom cut foam for this camera - So I really want to stick with Sony if possible.

What alternatives are there? I was looking at spending £1500, and I'd prefer to buy in the UK to avoid any hefty fees. I could be tempted to spend more for a slightly newer model but not by much.

Suggestions?

posted by lemonfridge to Technology (4 answers total)

If you're in the UK, phone around Sony Centres. I had exactly the same problem with an obsolete digital camera and my local Sony Centre was able to find it in stock at another branch, it was a simple case of having it shipped and buying it over the counter. I believe they carry all sorts of old stock.

If you have no luck there then you could watch eBay for either a new or nearly new model.
posted by fire&wings at 5:18 AM on April 15, 2009

Response by poster: fire&wings, I tried that and there are none left in UK stores, and to their knowledge there hasn't been a replacement released.
posted by lemonfridge at 5:40 AM on April 15, 2009

Wait, Sony canceled your order? There was no backstock, they just built them as they were ordered, or what? This doesn't make sense to me. The only place I've seen "obsolete" merchandise yanked from the shelves is in software sales. You can't get this camera elsewhere than the place you originally planned to buy it? A quick shopping search turned up many places selling the camera you originally ordered. Why can't you order it from somewhere else?
posted by caution live frogs at 5:41 AM on April 15, 2009

Response by poster: I had ordered it from tradecameras.com, not Sony.

They pulled the order and claimed the stock levels on their website hadn't been updating.

I can find quite a few places to buy the camera online, but they are all US based, or get their stock from the US and then slap a heavy import duty on it.
posted by lemonfridge at 6:02 AM on April 15, 2009