When you really think about it, current camera design doesn't really make much sense.
Mirrorless cameras are quickly taking over, but their design has remained similar to single-lens reflex cameras of the past. Why do I still have to smash my nose up against the back of a camera to see through the viewfinder? Why is ISO still hidden under buttons or menus? Why do I have to remove my camera from a tripod to replace the battery? In the video above, we talk about each of these issues and much more.
We released this video on YouTube last week, and since then, the reaction has been mixed. The top comment on YouTube is that the Canon EOS R has "the majority" of features that I requested. Although the EOS R has a very well thought-out design, it certainly does not have "the majority" of my requests. In this video, we speak specifically about five different current cameras. If your camera isn't in our hands, let us know which specific features we might be overlooking.
My hope for this video is to get photographers and camera designers to begin to think outside of the box. If you could forget everything you know about camera design and start from scratch, what would a camera look like? What features and design elements would make using the camera easier and faster? Let me know what you think of my ideas, and feel free to throw out some of your own.
Lee Moris, what's up?
Man, I had started a project about camera design a couple of weeks before I found your video on youtube.
I am just an amateur photographer so I did not cover all of the pros and cons of the current design, therefore, your video was very helpful, Thanks Man!
Anyway, this project is a personal project that I am doing to put on my design portfolio. It will probably never reach the camera companies but who knows!
I will wathc your video again and use it to take some notes to this project.
I would like to share a link to a survey about camera usage, to evaluate the design, most used features etc.. I will elaborate the survey and share it soon.
Anyone interested in answering and helping me out? I would be grateful.
I can't wait to see what you come up with.
By the way, Canon new Mirrorless EOS R5 came without the touch bar. Was it not good (in terms of how easy is to shit some settings that you have chosen to be on touch bar)?
What do you guys think about that Touch bar?
What do you guys would think about a (around 1.5 in per 1.5 in) touch pad instead of touch bar? (which you could change aperture, Shutter speed and ISO using couple os slide gestures)
Something like what Lee sugested on the video.
So, I was already doing a design exercise about cameras design and usability. To get some information of photographers I would like some answers on my survey.
It would be a lot helpful and maybe we will shake the camera industry and they will improve their products to the technologic standards we have available nowadays.
It will take less than 10minutes to answer and I thank you all in advance!
Survey:
https://forms.gle/txD6qgYV6TvSiEEZ8
p.s. Sorry if some questions sound silly, we gotta check possibilities, right?
My site www.7d-d.com has some ideas about digital cameras design.
May be it would be interesting for you.
After I have watched this video I talked to photographers and made a survey, I tried to create a CONCEPT design to solve at least some of those flaws. As I am not a designer I am sure it ia not a perfect case but I thought it was worthy to try. you can check it on the link below.
Once again, I am not a designer, so you can and should comment, give your thoughts and sugestions but please with kindness.
https://www.behance.net/gallery/110815851/Mirrorless-upgrade-concept
I'm am not a designer either, but I could not make something like that. Now give yourself some credit m8
I don't know where to begin, and I also don't know if you want the answers here or on your concept site.
But first I have a question for you. Whom is the camera designed for?
Is it for the older professional photographers or the modern smartphone raised young youtuber crowed trying to get into photography? Think the feedback would vary depending on that answer.
My first impression is though, Touchscreens are a no-go on a camera. You need tactile feedback so you, in a shooting situation, can operate the camera without looking at it.
Thank you very much! well, feedback can be here or there, no problem.
I think that new users would have an easier learning process and usability would be improved. That is the goal, it probably won't be perfect, everything is always improoving, right?
As for the experienced Pro photographers it would take a little time to adapt (which I am sure that almost 100% of them would hate... it happens with any updates. For example, a lot of people complain when facebook changes a little thing, it is because we (users) tend to like things as they are, as we are used to.
But I get youe point, indeed I have got a feedback like yours about tactile response if everything conserns, it's is a fair and valid point.
Actually feedback of the system is one of the core principles of a good user experience.
In my concept the feedback would be mainly based on visual, any changes happening would appear on screen or viewfinder, like it happens on my dslr. When I adjust aperture, iso or shutter speed it appears on the viewfinder.
But it could be updated to notify the user with a bip and/or little vibration.
There are some possible changes because that is just a concept. To get to production phase it would have many rounds of user tests and adjustments before final version, I am sure I did not get everything on spot on my first try 😁
User feedback like yours is what helps with those necessary changes for the final version. Thank you one more time