 |
| The mockup camera has been shaped to fit the hand |
The essence of camera ergonomics is the number and complexity of
actions required to control the device.
Other important factors include holding, viewing, haptics,
functional anatomy of hands and fingers and design details.
This exercise envisages a camera with a comprehensive user
interface suitable for an expert/enthusiast user.
There are four phases of camera use, Setup, Prepare, Capture
and Review.
The three main elements of Capture Phase are Holding,
Viewing and Operating.
Each Phase of use requires completion of tasks by means of
actions which can be observed and evaluated for number and complexity.
For each Phase of use a schedule of tasks and requirements
can be drawn up and used as the basis of a method for scoring ergonomics (see
below).
Individual likes and preferences are a separate aspect of
the user experience which are not helpful for evaluating ergonomics as they are
specific to the person and subject to change.
Evaluation and scoring
There are three elements of the scoring process:
1. The schedule for each Phase of use
2. An explanatory narrative
3. Subscores and final score. In each subsection the maximum
score will be gained if a camera allows the user to efficiently perform all the
tasks, has an optimal user interface and none of the negative factors.
Total maximum score is 100. The distribution of subscores represents my
judgement about the relative importance of each Phase of use to the overall
user experience.
All cameras are scored using the same criteria.
I rate changing lenses as just about the most ergonomically
disruptive task which any camera user has to carry out so in the interests of
reasonable comparison interchangeable lens cameras are scored with a standard
zoom lens mounted.
Scoring schedule
Setup Phase [Maximum score 15]
This is conducted at leisure preferably with the owners
manual to hand.
Tasks Make main menu
selections, allocate My Menu and Quick Menu items, select Function button and
dial assignments, set up custom modes and other functions such as Wi-fi,
Bluetooth etc.
User Interface Menu headings
and subheadings are logical, coherent and easy to read and navigate. Like items are grouped together in
ways meaningful to the user.
Most controls enable user
selected function.
Negatives Menus confusing
and contain mystery items. Like items
scattered about, unlike items grouped together. No My Menu, no Quick access
menu with user selectable items, no Custom Modes. Setup Phase controls located
where Capture Phase controls should be.
Prepare Phase [Maximum score 15]
In the minute or so after confronting a new photographic
situation the user will want to reconfigure camera settings.
Tasks Set Main Mode, Drive Mode, Shooting Mode, Focus Mode,
Autofocus Mode, Stabiliser, Custom Modes, shutter type, electronic level and
others.
User Interface There are
dedicated, well positioned controls for the most frequently changed Modes. There is quick access to other Modes and
settings by buttons and other controls
with user assignable function.
Negatives Any Prepare Phase
items only accessible via the main menu, function of controls not user
assignable.
Capture Phase,
Holding [Maximum score 20]
Tasks Hold the camera in a
relaxed but secure grip with both hands, right index finger on the shutter
button. Maintain a stable grip while carrying out the tasks of “Operating”
below. Carry the camera ready for
immediate use.
User Interface There is a
built in handle of anatomical shape, inverted L type is optimal, with the shutter
button in optimal location and a substantial thumb support.
These work together to allow the
user’s hand to adopt the “half closed relaxed” position while holding and
operating the camera.
Negatives Absent or poorly
shaped handle. Handle only available as an accessory. Thumb support inadequate.
Capture Phase,
Viewing {Maximum score 20]
Tasks To clearly view in
all conditions via the viewfinder or monitor the subject with 100% accuracy and
primary and secondary information displays.
User Interface The user has
a continuous real time subject view without lag or blackout with single or
continuous shooting.
The viewfinder and monitor
provide the same information presented the same way to allow a seamless segue
from one to the other.
If desired the viewfinder can
present a live subject view without information overlays.
Primary camera data is displayed
clearly outside the preview frame. This includes aperture, shutter speed, ISO
sensitivity, exposure compensation, white balance, battery status, capture mode
in use, remaining exposures on the memory card.
Secondary camera data/displays
can be superimposed over the preview frame by user preference. These could include
active AF area position and size, grid lines, zebras, histogram.
Viewfinder and monitor brightness
can indicate exposure status.
Negatives There is no built
in viewfinder, the monitor is not fully articulated, camera data is only
available superimposed over the preview frame, viewfinder and monitor display
differently, viewfinder lag and/or blackout is present.
Capture Phase,
Operating [Maximum score 25]
Tasks While looking
continuously through the viewfinder the user can without shifting grip with
either hand adjust the following parameters. Not every exposure requires each
of these to be changed but the camera should be configured so it is possible to
do so.
* Primary exposure parameters:
aperture, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity.
* Secondary exposure parameters:
exposure compensation, program shift, autoexposure lock, white balance.
* Primary framing and focus
parameters: zoom, initiate/lock autofocus, manual focus.
* Secondary focus parameters:
change position and size of active AF area, manual focus over-ride, autofocus
lock.
User interface All Capture
Phase controls are shaped and positioned so the camera can be controlled by
feel.
Dials and other controls should
have logical and consistent actuation for value up.
With practice the user can train
his or her finger memory to drive the camera like a motor car without having to
look at the controls and without having
to think about each separate action.
Negatives The user has to interrupt the capture flow by
changing grip or looking away from from the viewfinder in order to change one
of the listed parameters.
Review Phase [Maximum score 5]
Tasks This varies with
individual preference but as a minimum I suggest:
Recall the last 1-9 shots and
select one, zoom into and scroll around
the review image, jump from one image to
the next or previous at the same level of magnification and same position in
the frame, delete one/many.
User interface There are
controls which allow the tasks to be efficiently completed.
Negatives Auto review cannot
be disabled, limited scrolling options, essential file data not able to be
recalled.
 |
| The half closed relaxed hand position |
The ideal camera
(ergonomically)
This mockup brings together many of my ideas about the
configuration of a camera with good ergonomics. To the casual observer it may
look like just another mid sized bridge model or perhaps a small ILC with
standard zoom. But good ergonomics is often about getting many details right.
These can best be appreciated by holding the device and feeling the controls.
The overall shape of the camera is no accident. After
several years, many actual cameras and 15 mockups I have come to realise that
this shape is able to provide the best holding, viewing and operating
experience.
The shoulders are high to maximise the available height for
the handle and to accommodate the thumb stick.
The handle has been shaped to fit into the half closed
relaxed right hand. The shutter button, front dial and main control buttons are
located where the fingers want to find them. The shutter button, front control
dial and two adjacent top buttons form a quad control set for rapid adjustment
of several Capture Phase parameters using just the index finger.
The thumb stick and rear dial are located where the thumb
wants to find them.
Lens controls are wide and circumferential so they can be
easily located by feel and operated with the camera in landscape or portrait
orientation and left hand over or under holding style.
The mockup is rated comfortable to hold by male and female
adults and children from age about twelve. Large hands move down the handle, small hands
move up. Most adult hands can achieve a full five finger grip.
The controls meet all the requirements of the scoring schedule
above.
 |
| Mockup camera, rear |
Are the scores useful
?
I have to date bought, used tested and scored 28 camera
models of various types from several makers.
You can see the list below.
I think the scores are a useful summary of my overall
experience of using each camera.
 |
| Mockup camera, handle shape |
Camera ergonomic score summaries
Updated 18 July 2018
|
Camera
|
Setup Phase
Max 15
|
Prepare Phase Max 15
|
Capture Phase
|
Review Phase Max 5
|
Total Max 100
|
||
|
Holding Max 20
|
Viewing Max 20
|
Operating Max 25
|
|||||
|
Sony A3500
|
5
|
5
|
12
|
7
|
8
|
2
|
39
|
|
Nikon 1 V2
|
7
|
6
|
12
|
10
|
8
|
3
|
46
|
|
Panasonic LX10
|
10
|
10
|
5
|
6
|
8
|
5
|
46
|
|
Panasonic GM5
|
10
|
10
|
4
|
10
|
12
|
2
|
48
|
|
Nikon P900
|
10
|
6
|
13
|
11
|
8
|
2
|
50
|
|
Sony RX100 Mk4
|
8
|
12
|
7
|
9
|
11
|
5
|
52
|
|
Panasonic LX100
|
10
|
8
|
11
|
10
|
10
|
5
|
54
|
|
Fuji X-T1
|
10
|
9
|
9
|
13
|
10
|
4
|
55
|
|
Canon SX60
|
10
|
9
|
16
|
11
|
6
|
4
|
56
|
|
Panasonic TZ110(ZS100)
|
11
|
12
|
4
|
10
|
14
|
5
|
56
|
|
Panasonic TZ70(ZS50)
|
11
|
12
|
6
|
10
|
15
|
2
|
59
|
|
Panasonic TZ80 (ZS60)
|
11
|
12
|
7
|
10
|
15
|
5
|
60
|
|
Panasonic TZ90 (ZS70)
|
11
|
12
|
7
|
12
|
15
|
5
|
62
|
|
Nikon B700
|
9
|
9
|
18
|
10
|
14
|
2
|
62
|
|
Canon EOS-M50
|
10
|
9
|
14
|
12
|
16
|
5
|
66
|
|
Panasonic G6
|
11
|
10
|
14
|
14
|
15
|
3
|
67
|
|
Panasonic GX80/85
|
11
|
12
|
11
|
12
|
16
|
5
|
67
|
|
Canon G1X Mk3
|
11
|
12
|
10
|
15
|
15
|
5
|
68
|
|
Panasonic GX8
|
10
|
12
|
12
|
18
|
14
|
5
|
71
|
|
Panasonic FZ80
|
10
|
12
|
16
|
11
|
17
|
5
|
71
|
|
Sony RX10Mk4
|
9
|
14
|
12
|
16
|
16
|
5
|
72
|
|
Panasonic G7
|
11
|
12
|
18
|
18
|
17
|
5
|
81
|
|
Panasonic G80/85 unmodified
|
11
|
12
|
18
|
18
|
17
|
5
|
81
|
|
Panasonic FZ300#
|
11
|
12
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
5
|
82
|
|
Panasonic GH4
|
11
|
13
|
18
|
18
|
19
|
5
|
84
|
|
Panasonic FZ1000
|
11
|
13
|
18
|
18
|
20
|
5
|
85
|
|
Panasonic G80/85 modified*
|
11
|
13
|
18
|
18
|
20
|
5
|
85
|
|
Panasonic FZ2500
|
12
|
13
|
18
|
18
|
20
|
5
|
86
|
|
Panasonic GH5
|
14
|
14
|
17
|
19
|
21
|
5
|
90
|
* Panasonic G80/85
4way pad (Cursor buttons and Disp button) modified by addition of shaped
Sugru pads to improve haptics. This makes the Cursor buttons, Menu/Set button
and Disp button much easier to locate and operate by feel. It is particularly
beneficial for users who prefer to move active AF area with the [Direct Focus
Area] function.
# Panasonic FZ300 with epoxy dab on the Disp button to make
it easier to locate by feel.
Canon G1X3 slightly modified with a dab of epoxy resin on
the * button to make it easier to locate by feel and a slightly modified lens
cap to make it easier to remove.
Sony RX10Mk4 with a dab of clear epoxy resin on the AEL and
Fn3 buttons to make them easier to locate by feel.
great blog
ReplyDeletecameras online