[jimr-pdx]

When shopping for my first dSLR, Sony's A200 fit just right. When I sought more versatility and durability, I looked at the A700 but it was way too big. Then I saw the K-7 dimensions matched the A200's within 0.1" all 3 ways, and met or beat the A700 specs - so here I am, with a second camera that fits me just right!

[Wheatfield]

Fine, if it's 35mm sized cameras, the LX, definitely.

[Wesbo]

I like the D80/D90 bodies. Just about right for my hands but a little large for how I like to shoot.

Handled a D700 and D3 the other day. Didn't like either.

Handled a Sony A850. Felt like an alien thing. I didn't care for the ergos at all.

Many moons ago I carried around an E-1 with the grip for an afternoon and took a few shots. I really liked how that body handled.

But My K-7 has ended up being an almost ideal compromise. Big enough, not too big, good ergos. I can hardly shoot with my K10D anymore because everything is in the wrong place...

[pacerr]

Well, actually the K200D feels good to me. Fortunately it does everything I want it to so I've sort of settled in on this body for a while. Hope the attraction lasts as long as my 22-year run with a Spotmatic.

I also liked the feel of the P3n body although I wasn't completely happy with the functionality. On the other hand, I really like to use and carry an MX, but the body's just too small for comfortable continuous shooting and doesn't balance well with longer lenses.

I don't find myself lusting after bodies -- just lenses.

H2

[R.Miller]

K-x hands down. I have owned the K100, K200, K20 and finally the K-x. I have played with some of the Canon, Sony and Nikon cameras and still prefer the solid feel, small size and weight of the K-x.

[slinco]

I've got big hands too, extra large glove size with long slender fingers. The K7 is an outstandingly wonderful fit in my hands. It's the most comfortable camera I've used in 35 years of shooting. I'm spoiled now - anything bigger feels clunky and awkward.

[gaddigad]

I'm still waiting for Pentax to release a body as comfortable to hold and operate as my k100d. The hand grip design and the thumb bump on the back side are absolutely fantastic.

[deadwolfbones]

The K-7 has the best ergonomics I've ever felt from a modern dSLR.

The D700 is nice too, but the grip on the K-7 is outta this world (particularly with the battery grip attached).

[TaoMaas]

Fine, if it's 35mm sized cameras, the LX, definitely.

+1 I'm not a big fan of grips on cameras so the LX is just right for me.

[DogLover]

I would agree with most others here that Sony's have got to be the worst to hold. Are they even designed for human hands? (this is coming from someone who loves almost anything Sony makes, and the contents of my house are proof) Canons always look good but lose their luster when you pick them up. Nikons aren't bad and I could imagine using one if I had to. But the "feel" of Pentax is a big part of choosing them. Nobody else is even close in my book. It's like when you realize that you've met the woman you want to marry. You just know it. Exactly the way I felt when I picked up a Pentax (well, not exactly, but you get the drift), and all I need to do to remind myself of that is to pick up any other camera.

[deadwolfbones]

I have to say that the MX with the motor drive grip is also ridiculously comfortable (if not exactly elegant).

[RioRico]

My most UN-comfortable was a Graflex 9x12 press/view camera. What a pain. The Kodak 35 and Argus C3 "The Brick" are pretty awful too, especially getting stuff caught in the outside gearing.

Most comfortable? I have big hands, but the little Olymput Pen-FT and its pancake 40 were hard to beat, and the littler Oly XA. My Praktica LX3 is a gem, with its top viewfinder. The K20D is a bit bulky to be called comfy. I guess my favorite is my Sony DSC-V1 p&s, with its almost Leica-like feel. I haven't encountered a Kx nor K7 nor 645D nor any other Pentax but my SPII, so I can't judge them.

[gaddigad]

Nikons aren't bad and I could imagine using one if I had to. But the "feel" of Pentax is a big part of choosing them. Nobody else is even close in my book. It's like when you realize that you've met the woman you want to marry. You just know it. Exactly the way I felt when I picked up a Pentax (well, not exactly, but you get the drift), and all I need to do to remind myself of that is to pick up any other camera.

Just checked my father's D80 and the camera grip feels much shallower and shorter than in my k100. I've got big hands and it makes holding the D80 feel much less secure.

[Jasvox]

I have owned the K10D with grip. the K-7 with grip and have held dozens of others in the past couple of years. Out of all, the K10D with grip felt the most balanced and ergonomically best for my hands. The K-7 with or without grip just seems small to me. The K-x without grip (of course) feels too small for comfort. Also, held onto and shot with a D90 and it felt "ok" to me.....the worst of all was recently when I held a Canon T2i or whatever they call it, just felt cheap and hollow. I hope when Pentax releases a FF or the next BIG model, it will be more along the lines of the K10/20D.

Jason

[wildman]

Nikon S2 rangefinder from the late 1950's.