Assume for my responses that I hold this camera as if it is an SLR, cradled in my left palm with a very light touch of my right fingers. I bring my arms in to my sides, hold the LCD a few inches in front of my nose and make a stable base with my feet. Without that image you won't understand my responses.
Originally posted by Class A Can you reach the green button without changing your grip?
I just move my index finger, the same as I do to use the DOF/Preview lever on a dSLR (I don't use the Green Button on a dSLR), I don't even look for the GB now. The corner of the body presses the muscle on the inside od the first joint of my index finger, not uncomfortably, but that is my objection.
Originally posted by Class A Did you assign the green button to a function that you don't need in normal shooting mode?
Since I predominantly use MF lenses in manual Mode the Green Button is assigned to Tv Shift in M/TAv Mode.
Originally posted by Class A Would you have assigned another function to the green button if it were reachable from a normal shooting grip?
It is reachable, so N/A
Originally posted by Class A Do you not have to slightly contort your finger while pressing the exposure compensation button?
It is arched, This is my second biggest complaint, biggest is the K-
r style 4-Way controller. The camera isn't perfect but I don't raise the objections to the level you do.
Originally posted by Class A Which of the button layouts do you prefer, the K-5's or the K-01's? The K-5 is clearly designed to allow a one hand operation [I never use a camera with one hand] and providing access to all shooting related functions without finger contortions or having to change how one holds the camera. The K-01 has clearly not been designed with this premise.
The K-01 has been designed with a compromise between absolute functional utility and visual design appeal. The compromise is, to me, fair though not functionally optimal.
Originally posted by Class A Doesn't the K-5 grip allow a more secure and more comfortable holding of the camera?
No. See introductory statement. I hold a dSLR the same way.
Originally posted by Class A I'm not saying the K-01 is unusable. I'm not saying it cannot be fun to use. I'm saying that it could have easily been better and that comprises have been made because style was prioritised over functionality.
Fair statement - and a more moderate tone than many others on this Forum. Thank you. The K-5 is an ergonomic opus. I would say K-01 style was given more weight than a K-5, but I wouldn't assign the functional priority to style. Difference of opinion. Fail is a stronger word than I would use - imperfect is my judgement.
Originally posted by Class A Some users may even prefer fashion-forward style over optimal usability. Nothing wrong with that.
My personal premise for camera design is that usability has to have utmost priority. [
As long as I have a camera that meets the pure-function standard when I need it, I'm copacetic with the (I think slight) imperfections of the K-01. YMMV - actually YM does V] I'm maintaining that function over form is a fundamental principle of industrial design and any product failing to meet this criterion is not worthy of a design award (unless "design" is misunderstood as "fashion").
I'm perfectly comfortable with the Red Dot Award since the jury brief doesn't claim to meet your standard. I'm perfectly comfortable with a product that doesn't absolutely meet your standard as long as it doesn't claim so to do - which the K-01 clearly doesn't claim. We already have a K-5 for you (and sometimes for me). The K-01 is for me at other times. Now, give me a K-5 with an articulating LCD and focus peaking, plus the IQ of the K-01 and I'll be first in line (maybe July). But I still really like this camera, warts and all.
A jury working on a brief that demanded the product to be perfectly function oriented shouldn't select the K-01.