Camera Ergonomic Score Schedules

This is a summary of the scoring schedules.

For further discussion of the rationale behind the schedules see the Major Summary here.

Maximum score allocations:    This represents a judgement call about which aspects of camera use are the most ergonomically important.  Obviously this is contestable but I think it is reasonable to allocate the highest priority to the process of operating the camera in Capture Phase. The actual numbers are somewhat arbitrary as they must be but they can be adjusted in the light of ongoing experience, should that be necessary.

Phase of use		Maximum score
Setup		15
Prepare		15
Capture	Holding	20
	Viewing	20
	Operating	25
Review		5
Total		100

Scoring  In each subsection the maximum score will be gained if a camera allows the user to efficiently perform all the tasks with a small number of actions each of low complexity, has all the hardware and positive factors with none of the negative factors. Total maximum score is 100.

I rate all cameras against all other cameras using the same criteria. There is no division into entry, midrange,  professional or any other grouping.  I expect all cameras for all users to have excellent ergonomics.

The overall score has three elements:

1. Subscores.

2. A narrative explaining the scorer’s reasoning for the subscore with reference to the criteria.

3. A total score. 

Some aspects of scoring rely on subjective impressions, for instance whether a handle is rated as ‘comfortable’. In this case long term experience with many cameras helps to inform the decision process.

But many items on the scoring schedule involve rating the camera against  objective criteria. For instance can all the tasks of Capture Phase be carried out while looking through the viewfinder and without having to change grip with either hand ?

Number and complexity of actions

Throughout the evaluation and scoring process I pay close attention to the number and complexity of actions required to control the device. For instance changing aperture with a control dial just behind the shutter button requires fewer actions each less complex (one finger moves 10mm) than changing aperture using a ring on the lens barrel (whole lenft hand required to move ).

This is the constant theme behind all my ergonomic evaluations.

Unscored features

Modern cameras come with a plethora of features and functions such as ‘art filters’, special effects, scene modes …..etcetera. I do not include these in the ergonomic evaluation or score.

Setup Phase  [Max score 15]

Tasks  Make Main Menu selections, Allocate My Menu items, Allocate Quick Menu items, Select Function Button and dial  assignments, set up Custom Modes, set up other functions such as Wi-Fi.

Elements   Has a Main Menu, My Menu with user selected items and a separately accessed Quick Menu with user selected items for Prepare Phase.

Most access points enable user selected function.

Content  Menu headings and subheadings are logical, coherent, systematic and easy to navigate.  Like items are grouped together.

User interface  All items are clear, legible and easy to read.  The process navigate>identify>select  is easily learned and becomes second nature.

Negatives  Main Menu confusing, contains mystery icons or items, not logically designed, like items scattered about in different submenus.  No My Menu.  Q Menu items not user selectable.  No Custom Modes. Navigation complex or confusing.  Setup Phase controls located where Capture Phase controls need to be.

Prepare Phase  [Max score 15]

Tasks  Set Main Mode, set frequently used modes (usually Focus , Autofocus, Drive), set less frequently used modes and other adjustments required in the minutes prior to Capture Phase.  Clearly not all  these tasks are required for every shooting session but the camera should enable them for the times when they are required.

Hardware    Direct access to the most commonly used Modes via Mode dial or similar.  Allows quick access to other modes and functions required in Prepare Phase, by Quick Menu button, Function buttons  or other quick access portal(s) on body and lens.

User interface  Clear graphics, icons and displays on monitor and EVF when navigating and selecting items via Q Menu, Function buttons or other portal. 

Content  Quick access portals allow adjustment of other modes and functions, for instance flash, metering, recording quality, image size, ISO (if set in Prepare Phase) shutter type, image stabiliser, display, burst/continuous rate, electronic level, electronic shutter, grid lines, histogram  ...............and many more, as user selected.

Negatives  Any Prepare Phase items only accessible via main menu.   Settings locked  while camera is writing files to the memory card. Q Menu items not user selectable

Capture Phase  [Max score 65]

Holding  [Subscore 20]

Tasks   Hold the camera in a relaxed but secure grip with both hands with right index finger on the shutter button in relaxed position.  Maintain this grip while carrying out the "operating" tasks below.

Hardware  Built in ergonomic anatomical handle,   ergonomic thumb support. Diagonal type is optimal.  Optimal shutter button position is forward,  on the handle (as viewed by the user).

User Experience  Handle and thumb support work together to allow the user's right hand to adopt the half closed relaxed posture in basic hold position.  Shutter button location enables this optimal holding posture.

Negatives  Absent or poorly shaped handle. Handle only available as accessory.  Thumb support inadequate in position, elevation or orientation.  Sub optimal placement of shutter button and top front control dial.

Viewing  [Subscore 20]

Tasks  the operator can comfortably and clearly, in all conditions,  view in the EVF or monitor the information listed below.

* Subject preview (live view) unobscured by overlays.

* Major camera data, displayed outside the preview image, in either landscape or portrait orientation,  optimally below but possibly also above:

Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO, Exposure Compensation, White Balance, Battery Status, Capture Mode in use, Remaining exposures on card.

* Secondary camera data/displays, superimposed over the preview image:

Active AF Area position and size/shape, Grid lines, Histogram, Manual Focus Guide indications, others as user selected.

Hardware  There is a built in high quality EVF with high quality viewfinder optics and comfortable eyecup.  There is a high quality monitor. Fully articulated (hinge left) type is the most versatile.

Content  EVF and monitor gain up or down to represent exposure compensation. 100% accurate preview is provided.

User Experience   EVF and monitor both provide the same information presented in the same way. There is a seamless segue from one to the other.  Look in the viewfinder, see the viewfinder;  look at the monitor, see the monitor.  Optimally there is no perceptible EVF blackout time after each exposure.

Negatives  EVF not built in or not available, Camera data is only available superimposed over the preview image, EVF refresh rate slow, EVF delivers poor viewing quality in some conditions. Monitor fixed or only swing up/down.

Operating [Subscore 25]

Task list  While continuously looking through the EVF (or monitor, but the EVF is a more stringent test) and without shifting grip on the camera with either hand, Capture Phase requires that the following tasks be carried out smoothly and efficiently, without impeding the capture process.  Obviously not every exposure requires every one of these tasks to be performed but the camera should be configured so it is possible to do so:

* Adjust primary exposure parameters: Aperture (f stop), Exposure Time (Shutter speed), Sensitivity (ISO).

* Adjust secondary exposure parameters: Exposure Compensation, Program Shift, AE Lock, White Balance.

* Adjust primary framing and focus parameters: Zoom, Initiate/Lock autofocus, Manual Focus.

* Adjust secondary focus parameters: Change position and size of active AF area, manual over ride focus, AF Lock.

Which way is Value Up ?   When operating a camera the user has to adjust the value of several parameters such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, exposure compensation and zoom position. 
It is very helpful if the direction of movement of each dial, wheel, ring, lever or other control is the same for value up with each parameter and the opposite for value down.

Haptics   Each user interface module (button, dial, lever, switch etc) must be designed with attention to detail so the module is easy to locate and operate by feel if required in Capture Phase of use. This includes all aspects of the position, elevation, configuration, size, shape, texture and feel of each module. Individual modules should be easily distinguished from each other by feel.

Hardware  There are sufficient controls of appropriate design on body and lens with which to drive the camera as described  in the task list.  Controls on the lens for zoom, focus and aperture (if fitted) are of circumferential type.  Controls on the body can be operated by the right index finger and thumb without having to shift grip.

User experience  With practice the user can learn to drive the camera like a motor car. The user looks through the viewfinder (windscreen) at the subject (traffic ahead) and operates the device by feel without looking at it. With further practice the user does not have to think about the process of operating the camera any more than a driver thinks about operating a motor car.

Negatives  The camera is configured so the user has to interrupt the capture process, change grip with either hand or lower the camera from the eye in order to change one or more of the parameters listed above.  Poor/suboptimal control location or haptics.

Review Phase  [Subscore 5]

Task list  Tasks which photographers might want to perform in Review Phase may vary greatly according to individual preference. Some photographers do little in camera review, others a lot.  Ergonomically this is the least critical phase of use as the photo has already been captured.  As a minimum I would list:

* Recall the last 1-9 photos captured and select one. It is very useful if the focus point is displayed on the review image.

* Zoom into and move around in a review image.

* Jump from one image to the next or previous at the same level of magnification and the same location in the frame.

* Delete one/many.

Hardware  The camera needs control points to enable the tasks above to be performed. These need to be located low in the positional hierarchy on the camera.

Content  Comprehensive data about each image is available and efficiently recalled onto the monitor screen or in the EVF in the same form.

User experience  The task list can be carried out efficiently.

Negatives  Essential file data is not able to be recalled.  It is not possible to scroll from one frame to the next at the same location and magnification.  Auto review cannot be disabled.  UIM's for Review Phase occupy high value locations on the camera which are better reserved for Capture Phase.

Subscores-vs-Overall Scores 
Sometimes a camera which I so dislike using that I will mostly avoid it reaches a higher overall score than one which I will and do use. For instance the Canon SX60 scored 56 overall which is higher than the Panasonic LX100 score of 53. 
I will and do use the LX100 but avoid the SX60. That is partly due to the image quality difference which is heavily in favour of the LX100.  But it is also partly because the SX60 rates decently well on the Setup, Prepare, Holding and Viewing subscores, which keep the overall score up, but it falls down on the Operating score which is critical to the user experience. 

Further reading

On the ‘Pages’ bar of this blog, found at the top of the home page in most browsers, there is extensive discussion about many topics grouped under the ‘Basic Concepts’, ‘Design’ and ‘Measuring Ergonomics’ tabs.

Each of the specific camera reviews also has commentary about ergonomic issues.

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