The pockets on BCDS seem to get in the way of lots of things you do in diving, photography especially.
As for trim, either type BCD or BPW can be poorly trimmed for the diver using it, starting with having the tank positioned too high or too low and what tank type/size you use; all of these affect trim substantially. Weight positioning and Back plate choice add another dimension, then there is wetsuit type and even the fin choice.
Only you, experiencing a diversity of types, trimmed up correctly can make a definitive judgement on what you prefer, cons and pros exist and the more diverse your diving experience is the more likely your skill can make up for the negative side of your choice- lying on your back at the surface in a BPW is an example.
The advantage in a BPW is adaptability,sustainablity and modularity, the BCD is the older of the designs and has inherent limitations for scope of use- you don't see many double sets on a BCD do you?
Most divers don't do enough homework(they are creatures of habit) in setting up their rig for their specific requirement, so some come away after a short period of use with a reactive criticism which is often an alignment or weight placement issue. Having dump-able weigh pockets on the back plate can stop that issue of feeling too horizontal or when using an ally hire tank that is getting close to empty and positively buoyant, even simply a crotch strap adjustment, who needs a constrictive cummerbund when swimming fiercely into big current?
So what your future path in diving will be- using foresight- can save you some expense in the future. Cost is not always a good way to judge the product either, you'll see very little difference in practical use to a $300 hog rig or Zeagle Xpress, to a halcyon $850 cinch rig. You will notice that BCD's are looking more like a BPW with every years "new style", lots of them are now back inflate(zeagles are good example for this).
One thing I would avoid, is the complication of the unit, such as the inflator hose redesign, mares or aquanauts- it is a gimmick and it will cost more in maintenance, with no practical advantage over the hose style inflator- it could lead to fail in a situation where parts aren't available, then your hiring stuff on top of having a heavy luggage bag. So simplicity is a real benefit in practical use with anything involved in diving.
You could be mounting your new XCCR to your old hog backplate and harness oneday in the future- that would help you get less back scatter in the shot.....I would imagine
