Mockup Lumix GH4 Camera

Introduction  Last month I wrote a piece titled "Ergonomic Logic of the Lumix GH3" on this blog. I rated the GH3 as having the best ergonomics of any camera which I have used in the last 50 years, but said that it could be even better with some further development. Since then I have been busy working on this project. The result of my labours is the mockup proof of concept "GH4" described in this article. This mockup incorporates just two features which significantly differ from the layout of the GH3. These are:

1.  The Parallel Handle  and

2.  The JOG lever.

There are some secondary changes which are consequential to the inclusion of these two features.

About Mockups  Over the last three years I have designed and built five mockup cameras to test my ideas about ergonomics at a physical hands-on level. I make the mockups from scrap plywood, shaped and glued. This method of construction allows me to test many versions of form, handle shape, layout and detailed location of user interface modules [UIM].

"GH4" Mockup Specification All my previous mockups have used the "Flat-top-EVF-on-the-left" type of design.  However the Lumix GH series cameras have all had the "Hump-top-small-DSLR-style" design so I used that for this project. The hump top does have significant  advantages. It allows the inbuilt flash to be in line with the optical axis in landscape orientation, the flash can be higher and the flash, hotshoe and eyepiece all occupy the same fore and aft space  which frees up width on the top deck for Set and See dials.

The mockup described here takes the already good  Lumix GH3 as starting point and tries to improve it's ergonomics, particularly in the Capture Phase of camera work.

I based the design on the "Parallel Handle" concept which allows the camera depth to be reduced and permits a different, more ergonomically effective layout of UIM's on the top right of the camera.  There is an all ways  (you can move it in any direction) JOG Lever accessible to the right thumb and an AF start back button.  Width has increased 5 mm over the GH3 to create more space on the right side of the monitor but depth has decreased 8 mm making the box volume of the mockup smaller. The fully articulated monitor is 92.5 mm wide,  the same width  as that on the GH2, 1 mm less than that on the GH3 and 2.5 mm more than the monitor on the G5. The height allowed for the EVF eyepiece is slightly less than that of the GH3, with an assumption that the eye sensor will be on the right side of the eyepiece, as found in the GH2. This allows a slight reduction in the height.

The shoulders have been lifted up so the upper part of the camera is "flat-top-with-hump-and-set-n-see-dials". Lifting the shoulders creates more vertical space above and to the right of the monitor. This has several benefits. There is more space for the JOG Lever. The shutter release button is higher, which allows the handle to be higher to fit a full five finger grip even with larger men's hands. The shape of the upper part of the handle is completely different with less gap between the right index and middle fingers. This has two benefits. It allows the right index finger to move more freely around the UIMs on the camera top and it helps with sculpting a full five finger grip.

All of these arrangements are entirely about form following function and function following fingers. The resulting shape does not conform to any preconceived style but has it's own conceptual and stylistic integrity based on functional efficiency. I showed it to a family member recently who pronounced it to be "the ugliest camera I have ever seen".  Oh well, I guess you can't win them all. She was unaware of the ergonomic mission of the mockup.

I have trialled the completed mockup on a wide range of actual or potential camera users, from 10 year old grandchildren through ladies with and without long fingernails, to men with large hands.  All declared themselves able to find a comfortable and secure grip on the camera with easy access to the key UIM's in Capture Phase without disrupting grip on the camera. Even the lady who didn't care for the appearance of the camera was able to hold it comfortably and securely, without strain.

This is possible because the design allows small hands to move up and large hands to move down on the handle providing each with a comfortable grip.

The OverviewPhotos  appear above. These are  general views of the Mockup showing it's overall shape. It is quite close in dimensions and user interface to the GH3, with improvements. The dimensions are below:

 The Mockup GH4  box volume is 8% less than that of the GH3.

Buttons on the GH3 measure 5.5 - 6.5 mm in diameter with approximately 0.75 mm projection. Buttons on the Mockup are 8 mm in diameter with 2.5 mm projection. Buttons on the GH3 have a smoothly rounded surface. Those on the mockup have a rough criss/cross surface. They are actually phillips head screws which have just the kind of prominence and surface feel which I want in a button. All the mockup buttons are positioned so they can be located and operated by feel but will not be pressed accidentally.  There are three set-n-see dials on the top deck. On the left is the Drive Mode Dial and to the right of the hump is the Main Capture Mode Dial, both the same as the GH3.

The JOG Lever and Recenter Button of the Mockup have replaced the AF/AE Lock button and Focus Mode Lever of the GH3 so the Mockup has a Focus Mode Dial top right and an AF Start/AF/AE/Lock button just where the thumb can easily find and press it but not so prominent that it will be pressed accidentally.

The hot ginger color was chosen to allow the contour shapes of the camera and handle to be seen easily in photographs and to provide a contrast with the black UIMs. Also I got bored with black and silver cameras.

The Layout Diagram Photo  is above.  There are 7 numbered buttons plus 4 positions on the Control Dial/4Way Controller Module. The function of each of these 11 control points can be user selected from a comprehensive list of options. I think this is the best approach. It allows each individual photographer to set up the camera to personal preference, then change it when experience and usage lead to a different approach.

One of the buttons can be allocated as access to a Q Menu. Or not, if preferred. One could be Motion Picture Start. Or not, if preferred.

The JOG Lever's primary function is to directly move the active AF (or MF) Area in Capture Phase of operation. It could also be used to navigate menus in Setup Phase or navigate around the playback image in Review Phase.

The Recenter  Button's  primary role is to return the active focus area to the center in Capture Phase with the AF(MF) Area highlighted, but it could also be used as a reset or return  button in Setup or Review Phases.

Primary function of the AF Back Button is to activate and hold (AFS) or continue (AFC) autofocus. It could also be configured for AF/AE Lock.

The Next Two Photos  show the Mockup beside a GH3, front and back views.   The Mockup has a parallel type handle which is wider than it is deep.  This encourages the layout of UIMs found on top of the handle.  You can see the hump on the mockup is a bit flatter on top and has more vertical sides than that on the GH3. This is to make room for the three  Set-and-See dials on the camera top. The hump could be spread out more to make it more streamlined, like that on the Lumix G6, but that would make it very difficult to fit three Set-and-See  Dials, so the Focus Mode setting would have to move to the Q Menu or a button.  This would work but I regard it as desirable for a flagship camera to have the Focus Mode always visible on a Set-and-See module.

The mockup lens shown is the same length and diameter as the lumix 12-35 mm f2.8.

Front UIM group operation [Parallel Handle]  The four photos above show how the right index finger operates the four modules under it's control.  Notice the the number and layout of UIMs on the Mockup and compare this with  arrangements on the GH3. The distance between the center of the shutter release button on the GH3 and the ISO button is 24 mm.  For most people with merely normal finger flexibility, the right index finger has to stretch to it's maximum to reach back for the ISO button. It's not a bad arrangement but it can be improved.

The layout on the Mockup is quite different.  There are 4 instead of 5 UIMs and they are arranged in quad formation. The center of the shutter button is only 12 mm from the Front Dial. This is just far enough to prevent accidental activation of the wrong button. Buttons 1 and 2 sit to the right where they are easily located by feel and operated with slight flexion of the index finger.  They are also lower than the Shutter Button and Front Dial so they will not be accidentally activated.

 It is difficult to adequately convey a sense of the ergonomic difference between these two arrangements with words and pictures alone. That is why I make mockups which reveal the superiority of the parallel handle system.  Note also that the Shutter Button is raised 4 mm above the camera body surface and it has a squared off,  not-quite-sharp edge which makes it easy to find by feel and is obviously different from either the Front Dial or the buttons.  The Front Dial also has a not-quite-sharp edge with strong, sharp serrations which are easy to identify by feel. Both the Shutter Button and Front Dial are positioned and angled in three dimensions so the index finger finds them in just the right place.  Most camera makers set their buttons and other control modules more deeply into the camera body and shape them more smoothly. I assume this is done for styling reasons but the ergonomic effectiveness of these smooth, barely protruding buttons is not optimal. They work, but could be improved.

I would allocate ISO and Exposure Compensation to Buttons 1 and 2, so the four modules together act to adjust primary and secondary exposure parameters, but others will have their own ideas.  Of course AF can be activated with half press of the Shutter Button as usual.

Rear UIM group operation [JOG Lever]  Above  is another set of four photos showing how the right thumb operates the JOG Lever, AF Back Button start, Recenter Button and Rear Dial, all without releasing grip on the lower part of the handle with the base of the palm. This set of UIMs, together with the Focus Mode Dial,  are allocated to primary and secondary focus parameters.

In rest position the interphalangeal joint of the right thumb lies against the thumb rest, just below the Rear Dial. This provides a very stable grip on the camera with little effort because the right hand is in natural half closed position. The camera just rests in the hand. The user does not have to squeeze the hand in order to attain a stable hold on the camera.

On the GH3 and many other cameras. mirrorless and DSLR, active AF area is moved with the Control Dial/4Way Controller. This works but requires the right thumb to be dropped down nearly to the bottom of the right side of the camera. This in turn completely disrupts the right hand's hold on the camera.  The JOG Lever is a much more ergonomically elegant approach to the task of moving active AF area. It maintains grip with the right hand, is fast and requires minimal movement of the thumb.

So most exposure adjustments are made with the index finger. Most on camera focus adjustments  are allocated to the right thumb.  Manual focus is operated by the left hand as usual.

Handle  Above  are photos of the Mockup and GH3 handles. On the GH3 photo there are two arrows pointing at the top section of the handle. The distance between them is 9 mm. On the Mockup handle there is no flat section at the top of the handle. Therefore the middle finger rests closer to the index finger. This in turn allows the UIMs to be reached by the index finger with less lateral stretching movement being required.

Height of the center of the shutter button from the base is 80 mm on the Mockup, 73 mm on the GH3.

Control Dial/4 Way Controller  I have left this in place using the same location and diameter as that on the GH3.  As there is more body width in this area I have been able to open up access to the dial so it is easier to operate. I would  leave access to the Main Menu System allocated to this dial as is the case with the GH3.  Using Menus is a Setup or occasionally Prepare Phase function so the Control Dial is an appropriate access and control module.

Other UIMs.  The Disp Button on the GH3 is located right in the middle of the rear section of the handle. This is a distinctly suboptimal place for a button. Disp can be allocated to one of the positions on the 4 Way controller, as this Module is no longer required for moving AF area.

Summary  The GH3 embodies significant improvements in ergonomics compared to previous models in the Lumix line of cameras.  But even good design can be improved. The "GH4" Mockup described here brings two features  to the design of  mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras, the Parallel Handle and the JOG Lever, with their associated suite of UIMs.

All I have to do now is persuade someone who makes real cameras to adopt my ideas.