If you just squeeze the shutter before letting the AF get a focus lock, it simply doesn't fire. Adjusting ISO and exposure compensation is a pain - there is a reason it comes with credit-card sized manual. The IR AF focuses on glass instead of through it. And I hate the power switch which always seems to creep to M when dangling from a strap.
It may be quieter than a SLR, but it's not silent by far!
It's been a while since I had a Hexar AF, but I would respectfully disagree - in silent mode, the camera is so quiet sometimes I was not even sure myself if I had taken a picture or not, even though the camera was right next to my ear.
I would agree that the interface design is a mixture of incredibly well thought out and obtuse - the functions are all there, and very well attuned to what serious photographers need, but it's not so obvious how to change them and some functions involve obscure button combinations (exposure compensation is just the up/down buttons, it's quite simple, the rest maybe not so).
Issues with the shutter button may well be because the micro switch is worn (can be repaired). I've had two Hexar AFs and one was perfect while the other had a sensitive shutter button which went on and off of its own accord, you would lock focus and then it would unlock as if you had released the shutter button, even though I hadn't.
It's basically the most perfect AF compact camera, as long as you can tolerate a relatively large compact camera. The lens quality and general speed of use are a league above any other high quality af compact I've ever owned, cameras like the Ricoh GR only win on compactness.
btw, I never personally found the 1/250 max speed a limitation even though I tend to shoot wide open and with fast film. It's not a camera to buy to use manual focus, which is awkward.
