Easy mode is easy mode, myself and Volron beat D3 only dying twice on belial and diablo, however we both entered hardcore and will head to Hell and Inferno after.
The game is tailored to all players, if you want to die a hundred times and see no fun, then EZ mode is the way to go.
Hardcore mode is simple: you die, you die, kind of like comparing Main Arena in AH to FSO.
I certainly am enjoying hardcore mode, gives me a better interest in the game since softcore mode is rather no fun at all, one good reason is their really isn't much of a challange, a 6 yr old can beat it.
I checked some stats on Hell/Inferno - you best to beat it a few times before venturing into this area.