I would like to be able to interactively investigate a 2-d array in python, like I can do in Matlab or ImageJ. For instance, I can bring up the following in ImageJ:
interactively investigating array:
Is there a way to do this with python? I know I can print the full or partial array to the python window, but that doesn't allow interactive scrolling through the array, as Matlab does.
You're confusing the programming language and the IDE. MATLAB forces one and only one IDE on you which is where this complication comes from. In Python (or most other real programming languages) there are numerous different IDEs to choose from which have different features / strengths and weaknesses.
In my opinion both PyCharm and Spyder are pretty close to MATLAB's IDE and both have navigable array viewing table widgets. Rodeo also has this but is more simple and clean looking.
Also, Jupyter Notebooks are pretty cool. Play around with some different IDEs and see what you like best and makes you the most productive!