The Announcement is done :-) A35 and Nex ...

[bfitzgerald]

The K-x is also small in fact dimensions wise it's smaller in some places than the A55 the big difference is the grip..deep on the K-x and shallow on the A55.
This makes a huge difference to handling. But I still prefer the Km5d size overall.

[bakubo]

So, Barry, you must be presuming that all those digicams/superzooms in DSLR-ish formfactor must've all been designed for the Asian girls? Nice logic!

Japan’s ‘Camera Girls’: Behind the Lens

http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2011 ... -the-lens/

Japanese Camera 'Prettifies' Subjects, Even Adds Makeup

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/03/ ... ds-makeup/

[agorabasta]

So, Henry, would that qualify for the reason to have the Asian/Japanese girls as the sole, or at least - primary, target customer group? I mean, especially if that creates real handling problems to the other groups of potential customers?

The matter of fact (and the fact of matter to me) is that I hardly ever had any difficulty handling cameras (including digicams) from the major manufacturers. (I definitely have some problems, like reaching the manual focus magnification button with the recent Sony cams - but that's hardly a part of 'basic handling'.) I simply find a way for basic handling that's comfortable enough to me. And I guess, that was the way (or one of a few ways) intended by the designers of those cams.
Then if somebody has difficulties finding the proper way to hold the tool, that may as well be the user's deficiency, uh?

P.S. The grip shape of the very recent Lx5 does essentially copy the much maligned grip of the a230/330, in turn copying the grip of some E420 and the likes; yet only the a230/330 grip was getting all the bad rap from the angry boyz. I only have to wonder why...

[bfitzgerald]

The LX-5 isn't an SLR or pseudo SLR type camera big difference.
Yes the A230 was awful grip wise and also aimed quite clearly to female buyers (I think it flopped from what I hear) The Dynax 5 has a bad grip too but:

It cost a lot less when it was released
You could get the BP-200 battey pack (improved things no end) I have one brand new not for sale
The Dynax 5 was well featured despite having a poor grip, the A230 was not

Yes I think there is a Japanese girl element to some of the designs after all no need to remind folks where the camera makers are based. Anyway I think the A55 SLT design could be improved with a deeper grip myself and I would move the front control dial to the front of the shutter release which would give you more space length wise for fingers and move the on/off power switch to the left hand side... erm oh yeah Sony already had it like this! Ooops!