E-PX dreams
43rumors readers do send me hundreds of mails per week and when I am very busy at work I sometimes miss to read them. I just found that mail and E-PX rendering a reader sent me months ago! Auch!
“This is not a real camera but I was messing around with sketch up and created an image of what i think the entire community can agree they want in a micro 43 camera.
It features….
-Built in EVF
-High resolution LCD screen
-Built in hotshoe with accessory port (for stereo mic and GPS tagging)
-A shutter speed dial/Exposure setting wheel
-typical menu buttons on the back
-Sensor that turns on EVF when face comes up to the screen.
Here are some general notes
-Could not find a good place for a built in flash
-Camera should have a dedicated movie button
-camera should have a secondary zoom wheel for menu navigation and other things.
feel free to comment and or make your own concepts with sketchup!”
In some way the concept is close to the one described by the Panasonic patent we found last year. Clcik here to read mroe about that: http://www.43rumors.com/ft2-panasonic-rangefinder-styled-micro-four-thirds-camera/
Thanks Jeff
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Recent comments
Comment from ginko: I just don't get why some people want a ...
Comment from dCap: just pop a free angle AMOLED screen on t...
Comment from Daemonius: They work fine on Medium Format backs.. ...
Comment from Kokoro: thanks ^_^
I did make patent enquirie...
Mr Hipsta
2 years ago |Here are some general notes
-Could not find a good place for a built in flash
No built in flash, please.
-Camera should have a dedicated movie button
Skip the movie recording as well! But if you all think it’s a must, then there should be a dedicated movie button.
-camera should have a secondary zoom wheel for menu navigation and other things.
If you must use the menu, a touch screen is fine. A second dial can come in handy for exposure compensation though.
Eric
2 years ago |I 100% agree about not needing a dedicated video record button. These cameras are small, I don’t want or need an extra button on the back that I will never use taking up space where my thumb could otherwise rest. I really don’t see what’s so difficult about just putting movie record mode on the control dial. Simply switch to movie mode just like you do with any of the photography modes and use the shutter release to start recording. There is no need for another button.
hd72
2 years ago |The GF1 has a movie button on the top, not very raised so you don’t hit it accidentally. But close to the shutter, so it’s easy to access. (I wouldn’t like it taking up real estate on the back either.)
I originally thought it was unnecessary, but I cannot tell you how many times it’s come in handy for me. I’ve got so many great clips of my friends and family because I was able to start recording a video immediately. You’re right, it’s not exactly ‘difficult’ to turn the mode dial to Video and back to Aperture Priority when you’re done… I’ve had plenty of cameras that did that before. But when something spontaneous and memorable happens, all it takes is one extra step – or one extra second – to miss the best part.
And since these cameras are small, it’s also helpful being able to switch from photos to videos and back, while still holding the camera with one hand.
Miroslav
2 years ago |I like Panasonic patent more. Add a swivel touchscreen, a control wheel, an E-PL2-like grip and you’ve got my perfect camera shape.
Kokoro
2 years ago |both those designs are more likely to become reality than the one I drew a while ago.
http://i47.tinypic.com/9bej48.jpg
Ulli
2 years ago |cute!!
Duarte Bruno
2 years ago |Well, I can say I like your design a lot better!
Kokoro
2 years ago |thanks ^_^
I did make patent enquiries about it but think i didnt go through with it because of the cost. But I dont want to prevent someone making the camera, I would like it to be made but of course, any company that does would have to give me one.
One advantage of this design is that any module can be fitted, it needn’t be a 4/3rds or µ4/3rds mount at all but anything can be made to fit.
One design change should be that there should be slots either side of the sensor and not rubber light seals. Looks too much like seals on my drawing.
Eric
2 years ago |That’s the basic concept I want, but as far as the EVF hump goes that sketch is a no go for me. They need to steal Fuji’s idea of using a 90 degree prism in conjunction with the EVF so they can bury the LCD screen deep inside the body which will eliminate the hump.
AndyOz
2 years ago |Hi Eric
Just after I submitted my message I saw yours. Totally agree about the Fuji idea with you.
Andy
hd72
2 years ago |It looks to me like the Fuji still has a viewfinder hump – it just extends across 2/3rds of the top of the camera (to include the hotshoe) instead. Like most rangefinder styles. I do agree that doing that looks (and probably operates) a lot better.
AndyOz
2 years ago |Interesting mockup. However I think the best example of what can be done in terms of EVF layout is the Fuji X100 design. There is no reason why Oly or Pana could not produce a camera with this form (obviously with interchangeable lenses) with an EVF in the top corner. After all the Fuji has the same size 1,440,000-dot Epson LCD panel as the Oly VF-2 detachable finder but the smart thing is having a prism to fold the light 90deg to achieve the view without adding to the width/depth of the camera.
I am only talking about the EVF side of the Fuji system – obviously having a reverse galilean optical finder would be difficult with interchangeable lenses. That is where they should be looking. Fuji has shown that it can be done in a slightly larger package without needing a hump on top of the camera.
That is my hope anyway.
safaridon
2 years ago |I think the X100 EVF screen size is only 0.5″ compared to 1″ on the VF2 or only half the size? I think putting the Oly VF2 EVF into the body would really make it big hence they would likely go to the DSLR shape instead.
For those looking at the E300 design why not look at the beautiful design of the Pany L1 which used the same components? The Pany patent is modeled after that L1 style only smaller with swiveling EVF.
Alan Gallery
2 years ago |If you look at the E-PL2 head on and then the E300 there seems to be a sort of stylistic suggestion of what the E-P3 might look like. I like the E300 but its as ugly as a string bag full of open ended spanners. Now I am not saying that the E-P3 will look anything like that ugly but think of something more purposefull than the polite looks of the E-PL2 or the annemic E-P2. It may have a pop-up flash or not – I don’t mind. But I want the view finder that i can use without mashing my nose on. The upper left hand corner just like on the e300 is perfect. Give me the Live Histogram of the C8080 et al, the Multi-spot metering from the OM4 with the detail capture of the E5 and I might just reach for my wallet.
David
2 years ago |I would prefer built in EVF over flash, although neither are necessary (I’m on a GF1, hardly ever use the flash, and I borrowed an evf for a while, and used it about 3 times)
High res LCD? Yes please!
GPS would be nice, but not necessary.
All the buttons and wheels please, none of that touchscreen business for me >.<
I would also like:
In-body image stabilisation!!!
Built in Intervalometer
The ability to change filenames! (i.e. David-1000.RW2 instead of DSC1000.JPG or whatever)
The ability to add exif data for legacy lenses, e.g. 25mm f0.95 Nokton
Ability to add external mikes please!
Alan Gallery
2 years ago |Ability to have copyright information added to the images in the camera if it is going to be considered as a professional tool.
JRK
2 years ago |Please no shutter speed dial. I much prefer a multifunction dial. In fact, there should be two proper ones, one in front and one on the back like on the G1 and G2. Get rid of the dial around the d-pad and use the touchscreen.
DonTom
2 years ago |Stylistically I also prefer the Leica/ Fuji X100 / Panny patent viewfinder position.
But I would also like an E-P1-like cam (no flash) with 2 hotshoes. I have the VF2, love it on my E-PL1, but would like it better on the left. Then I could centre mount a decent flash as well, or the microphone for video……
Duarte Bruno
2 years ago |I still prefer Olympus VF2 design better: need it or leaveit!
Ulli
2 years ago |+1
Eric
2 years ago |The problem is for those of use that like strobes. A strobe and an EVF are not swappable accessors to me. I need to use both at the same time. While I prefer/want a Fuji X100-esque design I could live with something that looks like an Olymous OM-4 or maybe even an Olympus E-450, but I simply hate the design of the Panasonic G1/2/GH/GH2. They simply look too much like entry level soccer mom cameras and not enough like a serious tool.
curiousburke
2 years ago |the idea that the whole community could agree on anything is not realistic.
I would prefer a flash to a viewfinder
Ulli
2 years ago |+2
Len
2 years ago |How about a touch screen, instead of buttons and four way controller on back… Don’t forget scroll wheels that can be set.. For anything… Exposure compensation, aperture or shutter…
No flash works for me… But what I really waNt is the E-5 senensor and electronics….
Weather proofing….
And some more primes, and professional lenses…
I haven’t taken my voitlander off my camera since I bought it…. Wow… It is an amazing lens…
jeff
2 years ago |touch screens blow and are nowhere near as good as dedicated buttons
Daemonius
2 years ago |They work fine on Medium Format backs.. much less on things like GF2, where you probably need hammer and nails to force it “touch” what you want.
Daemonius
2 years ago |Shrunk L1, add movie button and tilt-swivel scren. Job done.
dCap
2 years ago |just pop a free angle AMOLED screen on the E-P1, give us 1/8000s, put a flash controller in (to command the FL-36R and FL-50R), and weather seal it … and be done
simple, go do!
ginko
2 years ago |I just don’t get why some people want a built in EVF. I certainly do not.
The back screen gives me all the info I need, and a greater flexibility of how moving the camera around and changing angles. A built in EVF would just increase the size of the camera and that I do NOT want (it is almost a deal-breaker for me).
If you want EVF, buy one. Don’t ruin a perfectly good camera with unnecessary extras.