Here's part of the problem, as I see it: you are stating your opinion, based mostly on what you feel like you'd want, and your entire perspective coming from how you would use a camera, what you'd need on a camera, and considering a camera like the NEX as a replacement for your current setup. Others who are counteratguing with you are stating their opinions, based on what they feel they want, and their perspectives coming partially from hand-on use of the NEX cameras, what they need from a camera, and possibly looking at the camera with different goals from your own. Let me elaborate with some of your past points:
However, My main point is that the C3 is really not compact enough for many to give up the advantages of a SLR
Right there, you already have to accept that part of your crowd has already been left out of the argument - many owners of mirrorless cameras did NOT choose these cameras to give up DSLRs, rather to complement them. As a second body, with equal image quality and low light capabilities, but in a smaller, lighter, more portable package. There are quite a few users of such cameras who continue to be firm supporters and users of DSLRs.
This is a two-fold counterpoint - 1. some folks feel they need viewfinders, others don't - depending on what they are shooting, and how, a viewfinder might not actually be needed. I'm with you in very much requiring a viewfinder for a vast majority of my shooting, but that brings me to: 2. some folks can accept the lack of a viewfinder in this class of camera because they have DSLRs with viewfinders for when those are needed - the mirrorless camera serves a secondary purpose, and can function very well without the viewfinder. The NEX in particular shines in this case because of the excellent high-res LCD with tilting ability.
Again, your own needs here - point in fact, I have never used my NEX with a flash...ever. Likelihood is, I never will. On my DSLR, on the other hand, I have a powerful and flexible hotshoe flash with wireless control, and flash is something I'll use extensively during certain shooting. Not to mention the second point - that the NEX technically does have a 'built-in flash' - it attaches firmly to the top of the camera and can stay there indefinitely, fully controlled and triggered by the camera much like a flimsy onboard flash would...it just has the extra bonus option of being removable for those who don't feel they need it. It's all in how you look at it.
1) User interface (lack of direct controls) poor on NEX
You've mentioned it several times, as have many others. Virtually to a man, everyone who mentions this either A. never used or touched a NEX, or B. based it on a first contact with a NEX when first released. Because the direct controls are actually NOT poor, or lacking - in fact, are very much the equal of pretty much any mirrorless camera, or as close as can be insignificant. I'm not sure which controls you consider crucial to have direct access to, however on my NEX, with firmware 3 added, I have the following controls available through exterior buttons on the camera body, without menu diving:
Aperture control
Shutter control
ISO
EV
White Balance
Drive mode
Focus area
DRO/HDR
Each of these is a direct access button, with a simple jog wheel for adjustments, and the camera is always shoot-priority so a half-press shutter returns it to shooting mode and locks in changes without having to acknowledge or 'OK' anything.
Other functions can be accessed through the menu easily enough if needed - things like stabilization on/off, AF/MF switching, high ISO NR, etc. But those generally are lesser used functions, and I dare say on many DSLRs those would be relegated to menu diving, with exception of the focus switching. Considering the astounding streamlining and compacting of the NEX camera body, it is surprisingly nearly as controllable directly as most basic DSLRs...though many who prejudged it, based opinions on early reviews, hold biases, or haven't ever actually tried one still like to repeat the common refrain that the controls are sparse or poor.
And it really does not fit in a pocket with a kit zoom, unless you are a kangeroo.
My only counter to this point is that I'd argue something's definition of 'compactness' does not have to be qualified by the ability to fit in a pocket - compact simply means smaller than a full size version of same - the mirrorless cameras are all significantly smaller and lighter, even with large lenses attached, than their DSLR relatives, pocket or not.
5) Bulit in flash is useful. If you add all the attachments to the NEX (viewfinder, flash), you end up with a SLR size.
That's not true at all - I routinely carry my NEX3 with 18-55mm kit lens and flash attached. It sits in less than half the overall footprint of my DSLR with kit lens, sitting nearly half as high, 2/3 the width, 2/3 the length, and significantly less weight and volume (remember that the width and length may be about 2/3 as much at the longest or deepest point, but only a very small portion of the camera occupies this point - much of the bulk has been trimmed all around the remaining width and length). It is infinitely more portable, even though not pocketable - I can hang it comfortably around my neck for hours with no strain or pain, and I can slip the camera onto a dinner table between a bread basket and a salt shaker discreetly, or stick it in the cupholder of my car's center console - all of which I would not be able to do with a DSLR. It's all relative - if you are expecting the NEX to compare to a slimline pocket cam, it will seem huge. If you are expecting to compare it to a DSLR, it is indeed smaller and lighter.
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Justin
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