Right, but there are literally ZERO reasons that camera needs to say GoPro, Nikon, Garmin, or Sony when the Chinese version will do the same for a fraction of the cost.
I think of someplace like REI with inventory for a wide range of outdoor-ruggedized premium products - many of which are just slightly better fabric/plastic/metal devices, I think there's a good argument that you do want to own various niche needs and have your brand name and reputation prominent.
But relying on a mass market outlook when the product is becoming a niche (or maybe a set of niches), that is going to lead to trouble.
The Chinese don't even have an actual clue about what constitutes HD. To them, it's any wide-screen format (as evidenced by my "HD Camera Glasses" which only records at 720x480.)
there is literally ZERO reasons that camera needs to say GoPro, Nikon, Garmin,
or Sony when the Chinese version will do the same for a fraction of the cost.
Brand and trust still have a big factor in consumer sales. Price is also often used as a cue to quality, so in some cases, being more expensive can induce sales.
> but there are literally ZERO reasons that camera needs to say GoPro, Nikon, Garmin, or Sony when the Chinese version will do the same for a fraction of the cost
That doesn't make it less of a reason for it to be a popular category.
All of the manufacturers are in big trouble.