Why has the GL2 seen such a long product cycle? Is a replace due to come out? I want to sell my GL2 and I'm surprised that the street price today is actually a bit higher than what I paid for almost 3 years ago.

well as you may have noticed, alot of people are still buying it (including me)
and I had to wait a few weeks till the next shipment was there, so I guess.. :)

Why has the GL2 seen such a long product cycle?

Because the GL2 is a successful product that people like and want to use. Given the rise in HD, the GL2 probably represents the end of development for higher end Canon SD-only camcorders. I would be surprised if Canon introduced a SD-only replacement model in the same sense that the GL2 replaced the GL1. However, as long as sales are strong, it will remain in the product line.

The price has held in part due to the changing relationship of the dollar to other currencies, and the price compared to competition camcorders.

One could argue that the nominal successor to the GL2 in the Canon prosumer line is the XH-A1. This is based on the fact that it retained a similar form factor to the GL2 and was positioned a step below their flagship camcorder (the XL-H1). However, IMHO the XH-A1 it is as major a step forward from the GL2 as the XL1/GL1 were from the Canon L2.

That the selling price has held is good for you if you plan to sell yours and move to a new camcorder, but as always, buying a new camcorder is a business decision - and it usually is best to buy when you need it, not many months in advance of a hoped-for need.

Don,

What a brillant piece of advice!!!!


"and it usually is best to buy when you need it, not many months in advance of a hoped-for need"

Otherwise collecting equipment becomes a disease!!!!

I am going to staple it on my wall!!!!

I'd love to see an update for the GL2, but it is a good product (aside from the cassette problem) and for the money it's a great camera, one of the best buys for the quality. If they do update it, I presume it won't be much different.