I agree with you MarkOneMusic, it does seem strange to make such a great camcorder and then just to stick a focusing dial on as an after thought (in a really bad position - unless you have x-ray eyesight) even though it is a primary control. I can't decide on whether to get it or go for a Panasonic, neither are great as they both have the dreaded zoom slider. I don't know about you guys but that is the worst design of a control I have ever seen on a camcorder, and they are all at it, JVC, Sony, Canon, Panasonic, it's like a plague (bring out your dead). If they can then go and put two buttons on a remote control with W on one and T on the other, why can't they fit two buttons on the top rear of the camcorder?