Here in Tokyo one of the things I love/hate are the camera stores. I love them because I can easily just walk in to see and handle just about any camera made. I hate them because I can easily just walk in to see and handle just about any camera made. Seeing and handling them makes me tempted to buy something. :-) I usually don't have the strong temptation to buy gear, but in Tokyo it is hard to resist.
Just in the last few months I have played with a Sony NEX 7, Sony A77, Olympus OM-D E-M5 and other m4/3 cameras, Leica M9, Mamiya 645DF, Nikon D4, Nikon D800, Canon G1X, Fuji X-Pro1, Pentax K-01, Nikon V1/J1, Pentax Q, etc. Usually multiple lenses sitting there also to try. No one hovering around you watching either. It was sort of funny the day I was in Yodobashi Camera at Shinjuku and they had the Leica M9 sitting out there to be played with just like it was a cheap digicam. :-) Back 20+ years ago though the cameras were sitting out without tethers. These days they all have tethers/leashes on them and the lenses do too. Theft is a bit more common than years ago so the stores have bent to reality. The cameras also these days draw so much power that they are usually connected with power cords rather than use batteries. It means that sometimes it is more difficult to move around and point the camera in some directions because of all the cords which sometimes get a bit entangled. Years ago it was very sweet. Now it is merely sweet. :-)
Recently a buddy in the States was asking me about the camera stores here so this afternoon while I was in Shinjuku I took a few random photos inside of Yodobashi to send him. I happened to have a Panasonic G3 with me so I used that. You may enjoy seeing the camera playground. :-)
Not too many places outside of Japan would have a US$11,500 camera sitting out for anyone to pick up and play with and no one around to bother you or hover around you. Yes, batteries in it too.
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