I am not paid the big bucks to sit around not drawing outrageously unfounded conclusions from stuff I see on the interwebs - so here goes....
I think this is a really bad sign for the Nikon 1 series of cameras less than a year into their perky, petite little lifespans.
These are really good cameras - I have only played with the V1's little sister the J1(it was a girly white one) and I was amazed by it. Gordon Laing has the world's most comprehensive review of the VI at cameralabs (put aside a Saturday afternoon to read it) and he really rated it.
However, like me, most of the world has no idea what the 1 series cameras mean to them - they are (were) expensive and not as fully featured as a similarly priced DSLR and they have a tiny sensor. And then there is Sony, who are kicking it with APS-c models in the V1's category.
Personally, I will be doing a lot of comparison shopping before I enter the mirrorless market - and I won't be buying a Nikon just because I shoot their DSLRs. Me-thinks Nikon has been taken to school and given a spanking with the V1's pricing (anyone remember the D3x, anyone?)....
I would love to hear your thoughts on the V1 / J1 below.
Cheers - Todd