I started with eos50, loved the thumb dail, and the direct control knobs & swtiches:
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/eos/eoscamera/EOSElanIIE5055/index.htmhttp://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/eos/eoscamera/EOSElanIIE5055/index.htm
if link doesnt work try copy & paste mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/eos/eoscamera/EOSElanIIE5055/index.htm
As for dslr, when I started with eos350d, didnt like the buttons & toggling of menu to change Meter & Drive mode....as I was used to the
eos50(film) control was more of feel it & switch, rather than take your eyes from the viewfinder to toggle the menu on LCD screen. I find that too slow & troublesome, as compared to eos50(elan).
I could quickly switch to Partial metering in changing light, change AF to Servo to track a fast object (turn knob), or switch to continuous drive with a flick of a thumb. Not only the switching, but also feel which Metering mode & Drive Mode I am in.
(quoting from:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/nikon-vs-canon.htm)
"I love my Nikons because they put the important adjustments, ISO, DRIVE, WHITE BALANCE and QUALITY, right where I need them. I don't need any menus to tweak them, and I need to adjust them many times each day as the light and subjects change. Canon hides more of this, like manual and trimmed white balances, in menus, which gets in my way. "
Although I got used to it, and concentrated on shooting, I still think the control format from eos50(elan) was more direct, almost like "jet-fighter pilot" without taking eyes off the H.U.D. (Head-Up-Display).
Probably the buttons on digital eos, are more suited for ruggedness & weather sealing....& lower cost of production without compromising the ruggedness & durability. compared to knobs & switches, which might be more prone to wear & tear....or simply becos it is like another "electronic gadget" which should have less mechanical parts.
Canon's Thumb-Dial is fast & easy "swear-by-it ", very well-positioned control.
As for the other controls, the AF point selector ("mini-joystick" above the thumb dial), is definitely more responsive & easier to operate, more comfortable than nikon's 4 directional pad.
However, the controls like metering mode is better in Nikon's Dxxx, just a flick of a switch. (although entry/ mid- level models' controls are still the same concept for both C & N, which need to press a button & toggle by another button or dial e.g. Nikon's Dxx, Canon's xxD & xxxD)
Nikon's QUAL button for checking the resolution is quick & convenient, compared to zooming in & out on Canon, besides changing the resolution & changing to RAW fast.
I still hope Canon make DSLRs with controls like that of the eos50elan....didnt happen in 50D...
