När det gäller greppet till A230/A330/A380 så bör man väl i ärlighetens namn säga att detta INTE är en förflugen ide från någon crazy chefsdesigner, utan ett resultat av grundliga marknadsundersökningar som Sony gjort med NYBÖRJARE/KOMPAKTKAMERAANVÄNDARE. Och ganska ordentligt tydligen: "It took countless prototypes to arrive at this grip size and shape, and our testing involved many users with hands of all sizes."
Jag citerar lite till ur denna
"Interview With The Designers Of The Sony A380, A330, and A230 DSLR’s" på Sony Insider:
"Takahashi: ---
Trying to rewrite the book on SLR cameras is both bold and difficult, even if these are entry-level models. SLRs have evolved over the years to meet the tough demands of professionals in reporting and journalism, among other fields. This has influenced many of the unwritten rules of design. Look at the grip, for example. Its size and shape makes the camera easy to handle even with large, heavy lenses mounted. Important dials and buttons are within reach, when you’re looking through the viewfinder, and conveniently shaped. Even SLRs for novices share this professional heritage.
We can admire past chapters in the history of camera manufacturing, and this design seems fitting for an age when SLRs were exclusively for people determined to produce professional shots and master the traditions of photography. But as cameras became more common in general, attitudes in the market have changed. Browse popular camera magazines or photography blogs and you’ll find perfectly composed shots next to ordinary snapshots. Rather than honing their skills for specific kinds of photography, more people are discovering how enjoyable cameras can be as they learn how to frame everyday scenes or retouch images. Their shots reveal that new users’ reasons for picking up an SLR are changing.
Cameras better suited to this market, the emerging generation of photographers, was our goal in development. Some of you interested in SLRs have been put off by bulky cameras or complicated controls. Through design, we wanted to give you a gentle push. We were determined to offer current novices the purest form of what they’ve been looking for, after repeated surveys and discussions took us past the unwritten rules of design. Indeed, responding to user needs must be a starting point in camera design, and we believe entry-level SLRs should have been like this all along.
Sumii: Simpler and more compact. New digital SLR users value these qualities, and that’s what we sought to deliver. We also knew that more young women appreciate how fashionable classic cameras can be. With these trends in mind, we rejected the modern SLR shape, with flowing surfaces forming a solid, organic whole. Instead, new “α” cameras are modeled after classic film cameras. After all, the iconic look everyone recognizes, combined with clean, clear controls, epitomizes camera design.
You’ll notice the classic shape when you see the new models from above. The basic shape is straightforward, with the lens housing intersecting an oval body. Even the mode dial is carefully designed to fit neatly into this shape. This approach defies the notion in SLR cameras that the bigger the mode dial, the easier it is to use. Beginners tend to watch the LCD monitor as they operate camera controls. It’s easier to keep holding the camera in both hands and use only your thumb to turn the dial, without using your fingers. So there’s no need to have the mode dial stand out. In fact, we were also motivated to do this because the understated appearance is more user-friendly. A camera that looks invitingly easy to pick up is more compelling.
Sumii: The grip sets these models apart. SLR grips are usually larger, with a more complex shape for a better hold on the camera. But on smaller, lighter cameras, there’s no need to make it so big (except for professionals who keep giant lenses on hand).
That’s why the grip on these models has a new shape, as small as possible while still feeling comfortably secure in your hand. Your first impression, if you only hold the camera from the side as you would regular SLRs, is that the grip might be slightly inadequate. But try holding the camera in position for shooting, with your finger resting on the shutter button. I’m sure it will feel reassuringly secure in your hands, with your fingers resting upright firmly against the camera.
It took countless prototypes to arrive at this grip size and shape, and our testing involved many users with hands of all sizes. Finding the optimal shape on a scale of less than 1 mm was hard work. You may notice this when you pick it up, but a grip this small fits perfectly in your hand because we put the shutter button on the camera body instead of the grip. Holding the camera with your fingers upright also prevents any discomfort from your nails against the camera body (something women with long nails will appreciate), and there’s no need to worry about scratching the camera.
We took a cue from SLR cameras of a bygone era for this style, where the grip serves as a finger rest and the shutter button is on the camera body. Shapes and materials were carefully designed. The “α330″ is covered with a rubberized material in a checkered pattern instead of genuine textured leather. In effect, it’s a classic camera with modern flair. And although we believe “simple is best” in many respects, we knew that people who pick up an SLR won’t be satisfied if it’s too elementary as simple as compact camera, for example. Balancing these conflicting goals was one of the challenges of this project.
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För den som vill läsa hela intervjun är länken dit:
http://www.sonyinsider.com/2009/09/...signers-of-the-sony-a380-a330-and-a230-dslrs/
