[davidmanze]

Where did you read $2199??

The price is on the official Panasonic page Klaus linked to... Panasonic Australia, so, it's the price in Australian dollars

So, not that insanely expensive in the end, still quite expensive for an average zoom.

 ....... I forgot OL was quoting Aussi dollars ....... 
 
 ..... the exchange rate shows how the Aussies are punished on exchange rates plus duties ......
........ the exchange rate is I US dollar = 1.29 Aussi .......

  1,249 USD = 1,611 Aussi dollars ....... where did the extra 588 AUD come from ??

...... it must be from Value Subtracted Tax  ...... 

..... in reality the US always gets the best deals ....