It was not .5 degree ND. More like 3.5. You assume too much re: bank. The pilot's reactions were necessary. BEA, in #3: "The Pitch reached 10 degrees NU and the a/c began to climb." Have you reviewed how long it took to get to 10 degrees NU? Without horizon, a ten degree input (from outset) is only six degrees NU from cruise.
Whatever the lay analysis; here, at a/p loss, was the beginning of upset, can we agree? In that beginning, a change in LAW and PILOT both became too much to smooth over. I venture that upset began whilst a/p was still latched, for the attitude in PITCH and ROLL needed correction, having begun in auto.
What began as respect for the conditions at hand for 447 has morphed into a mere and casual dismissal of the challenge. c'est la vie..... If only to read a respectful approach to the pilots, I long for the final report.