The initial impression is that BenQ has taken a step backwards with the design of the C1050. The E1000 was quite slim with eye-catching styling, whereas by comparison the C1050 is rather pedestrian in appearance. Theres nothing wrong with it as such, but its shape is certainly much more bulky and blocky than most modern cameras. In part this is due to the space needed by its two AA batteries, but as Pentax and Nikon have repeatedly proven, it is possible to make a slim AA-powered camera. The camera body is made mainly of plastic, with an aluminium strip running around the top, bottom and sides, and a textured leather-look surface on the handgrip. It is quite a large camera by compact standards, measuring 89 x 60.5 x 32.7 mm, but it is also quite light at 140g minus batteries, and as a result it feels a bit cheap and insubstantial. Despite that, the build quality is fairly good and the chunky shape, front handgrip and rear thumbgrip area make it comfortable and secure to hold.