Sony updates each product at least once a year. In this case, other than the flash and swivel LCD, I think the main reason was to bring it into line with the 5N and 7 on styling. The C3 is out of place in the product line up. For an example of Sony product updates for not much reason at all, look at their laptops. The difference between the Z11, Z12, Z13 and Z14 were minimal. Yet they released all 4 of those models within about 1 year and clearanced out the previous model for cheap. I'm hoping to pick up clearance C3 for a low low price because of this latest release. Some retailers have already put the C3 on clearance.