The essence of camera ergonomics Updated 9 March 2019 with Canon EOS RP

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.

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.

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.

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.

I have to date bought, used tested and scored 30 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.

* 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.