Originally posted by Matthew Saville Yes, I had this exact discussion here when I tested / reviewed the K-3. I found its interface nice, and with familiarity it really does work well. However I still found it not as customizable and adaptable as Nikon's prosumer and pro cameras. Nikon puts more effort into allowing advanced customization of both menus and physical buttons, in areas that most all others do not. (Including Canon, by the way)
Part of this is obviously entirely subjective, because it does have a lot to do with familiarity, and how people's brains / shooting habits are wired. I'll be the first to admit that.
However, I maintain that it is indeed possible for one camera / system's customizability and interface to actually, quantitatively be at an advantage over another, definitely beyond the ambiguity of personal preference.
For example on prosumer Nikons, face-detection is built into the image playback so with the twirl of a command dial it can scroll from face to face at 100% zoom, allowing portrait photographers to verify sharpness / blinking with incredible speed that saves quite a few seconds per click while on the job.
=Matt=
You're most likely right. I've never been into it enough to judge about advanced customization, I flew way before (again this was on low-mid range cams).
I was more specifically speaking about buttons, rings and in general how easy it is to find a specific feature you wanna change (when not knowing the cam): Nikons are disaster (IMO). Canon low end I dunno. Canon 5D etc. I don't like but at least I can find my way in there.
That Nikon face-detection you mention is quite nice IMO. Not essential but that could be of some use.