Frankly, I think most of the negative comments that I've read are a testament to the fact that there is not much to complain about on this camera.
The CF card tightness issue seems to depend a bit on the card. I have a couple that slide right out into my hand, and a couple that stop about half way out. The design could have been better, but this isn't a big deal. My guess is the micro-drives experience the worst of it. As Rod says, easily fixed with a piece of tape.
In my opinion, the use of AA's is not a negative but a big positive. I think the istD has the most versatile battery system of all the 6 Mp DSLR's. I fully admit that changing 4 AA's is a bit more cumbersome that sliding in a customer designed battery pack. For me, I'll gladly trade the flexibility for a little convenience.
My complaint? That 4-way button on the back needs to be bigger or have a more positive feel. The other controls on this camera work so well. This one just doesn't fit in with the feel of the others. It's annoying.
What do I want in the next generation?
In general, I think the SLR makers are all going through a learning curve with the photographers. The adjustability of the digital camera is changing the thought. process. I think many of us are just starting to realize that cameras now have three exposure adjustments: shutter speed, aperture and ISO sensitivity. All three need to be quickly and easily adjustable and displayed in the viewfinder. When this generation of cameras was designed we all were thinking that ISO doesn't get changed very often. In the digital era, ISO is the third variable and can be considered on every shot.
I also like one of Michael Riechman's comments on the histogram display. He recommended that the camera should display blown highlights with flashing pixels This would be pretty useful and I hope they make the change in a code update.
I don't miss the mini-movie mode from Optio S, but I do miss the ability to record a comment with an image. I'd like to see that capability added.
The argument about USB 1.1, 2.0 or Firewire doesn't interest me. If the only thing I can do with the comm port is download info from the card, you may as well leave it off. I find a card reader much more convenient and would rather have one less hole in the camera body. On the other hand, if I could use that port to control the camera with my computer, that would be great.
See you later, gs www.georgesphotos.net
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