Here's an explanation in Dutch (if someone knows an English text please provide it):

http://www.eu.nl/nederland/documents/heffing_digitale_camera.pdf

The European Commission apparently plans to introduce an additional import tax on digital cameras that output more than 720x576 pixels at at least 23fps for at least 30secs.

So if this goes ahead, what the EC has made sure of is that no way in hell any of the digital cameras brands will ever consider to introduce new cameras that perform over the current standard in Europe. Thanks you very much EU for screwing over YOUR European citizens and for keeping progress from reaching the European customer.

The EC's argument is that they wanna equalize tax on video and digital cameras. Well sounds reasonable, but why not get rid of this tax all together? If you choose to make people pay an additional and antique sounding import tax, why don't you make damn sure you explain why there is such a tax in the first place? Why can't we just import cheaper products from abroad which they can apparently produce cheaper and focus on the things we are good at, isn't that the whole idea behind trade?

This is why people are so sceptical about the EU over here in the Netherlands, they got lots of power, but often seem to putt business interest over citizen or general interest without even bothering to explain why. Too bad cause they seemed to be heading in the right direction the last couple of months.


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http://flickr.com/photos/56983515@N00/
Current cam: TZ1
Wish cams: LX2 with Fuji F30 sensor and Pentax K100D super.
Wish lens: Tamron 18-250mm.