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Ergonomics
Brief notes, more to follow.
Physical
- dp Quattro is a big chunk compared to DP Merrill. Somewhat heavier though not so much if a grip is installed on the DP Merrill. But definitly bulkier. Bulky enough (width) that it really loses on size/weight/form factor appeal for stowage. It is not a camera I’d want to take cycling—just too heavy and awkward.
- Handheld, the dp Quattro offers ample grip surface area for lest and right hands—a plus. But this is mitigated by lack of an EVF, which forces holding at arm’s length or using a hot-shot mounted optical viewfinder (very nice as they go, but very crude on framing and no way to see any settings or the focus point).
- dp Quattro lens shade is huge (hassle to stow), and being round is less effective than the tightly optimized and compact rectangular hood of the DP2 Merill. But a polarizer (58mm on dp2 Quattro) is easily accessed.
- dp Quattro grip feels awkward to my hand; the “Focus” button bump just seems to be there to house those controls, but my thumb asks “what is this bump doing here?” Solid but does not comform to shape of hand; feels like holding onto a welded-on chunk.
- dp Quattro card slot is on left side, a bit confusing at first.
- dp Quattro rear LCD and speed of operation much improved over DP Merill. But still cannot play/show histogram until the shot is written to the card. Fortunately the writing is 3-4X faster than DP Merrill.
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