Patent: Canon shows off a new approach to the modern shutter button

ericblenman · Dec 18, 2020

Seems kinda interesting. I imagine being able to move the focus points on it would be pretty intuitive.

JustAnotherCanonShooter · Dec 18, 2020

Say goodbye to gloved shooting

mbike999 · Dec 18, 2020

I'd be interested to know how you would initiate half-press/AF. Maybe it would have haptic feedback and pressure sensitivity like an iPhone home button.

YuengLinger · Dec 18, 2020

Has the mechanical shutter button been a frequent repair problem for Canon?

Is the mechanical shutter button a difficult place to weather/dust proof?

I'm sure we will get some interesting brainstorming in this thread. Maybe the touch-sensitive shutter pad could involve many functions, freeing our thumbs to...

jolyonralph · Dec 18, 2020

There is only one part of the system that doesn't improve with different iterations of the technology - and that's the photographer. However fast your focus is, however good your object detection, you're relying on meat computing at the moment for the brain to decide "this is the right shot", and then send the nerve signals to your finger to press the button. By this time the opportunity may have gone.

As AI gets better at understanding composition it will likely be the job of the photographer to frame the image and set the creative direction for the shot, but it'll be the camera itself that decides when to take the photo.

Maybe in the future a shutter button isn't needed at all?

Is this real photography? Who cares, as long as it gives you the best shots

amorse · Dec 18, 2020

"Before you freak out.."

Too late!

I have a lot of questions on implementation, but then again, Canon patents a lot of stuff that never surface so maybe this falls into the "never to see the light of day" category. I don't think it's a bad thing for Canon to try weird things - sometimes they stick and become really useful.

bbasiaga · Dec 18, 2020

Just because its a touch screen, doesn't mean you can't press it. It could be like the touchpad on your pc, with swipe sensitivity and half and full press.

-Brian

SV · Dec 18, 2020

Area 61 - more mysterious than Area 51

barryreid · Dec 18, 2020

Never mind the shutter button, what on earth is going on with the mirror in that image??

blackcoffee17 · Dec 18, 2020

jolyonralph said:
There is only one part of the system that doesn't improve with different iterations of the technology - and that's the photographer. However fast your focus is, however good your object detection, you're relying on meat computing at the moment for the brain to decide "this is the right shot", and then send the nerve signals to your finger to press the button. By this time the opportunity may have gone.

As AI gets better at understanding composition it will likely be the job of the photographer to frame the image and set the creative direction for the shot, but it'll be the camera itself that decides when to take the photo.

Maybe in the future a shutter button isn't needed at all?

Is this real photography? Who cares, as long as it gives you the best shots

But better AF and other features might help to capture something you could not before.

goldenhusky · Dec 18, 2020

A mechanical butoon tucked under a touch pad will be best of both worlds. The touch pad can be used to move AF point or area and half press and press all the way to shoot would still work well. May be.. a bit easy to weather seal as well?

goldenhusky · Dec 18, 2020

In addition to being a touch pad this can be used to navigate through (swipe left or right) photos while reviewing through the EVF of course this can be done even with LCD but it will be more useful when viewing through the EVF.

esglord · Dec 18, 2020

I'm freaking out. I don't know what it is, but I hate it. Hahaha, jk, but I do enjoy pushing the button. Nothing makes me sadder than having touchscreen for my car's radio and climate control in lieu of the tactile joy of dials, buttons, etc. Anyway, I'm sure if it isn't cool, they won't pursue it.

djs263875 · Dec 18, 2020

I'm thinking the focus point joystick on the 1DX MkIII makes sense here. That would be a game changer.

YuengLinger · Dec 18, 2020

bbasiaga said:
Just because its a touch screen, doesn't mean you can't press it. It could be like the touchpad on your pc, with swipe sensitivity and half and full press.

-Brian

You mean like buttons on a microwave oven?

COBRASoft · Dec 18, 2020

Perhaps tap and drag for moving AF points around, tap single time to take picture, tap and hold for multishot. Would be very intuitive as well.

snappy604 · Dec 18, 2020

I'm game for trying things out and often defended tech changes that a lot of photographers were resistant to (very long list)... but not sure I'm keen on the idea.. some things are more tactile and I've found touchpads on laptops irritating, I've tried the steam controller (games) and its also a trackpad and again not a good experience.. and seen the reaction to the R's touchbar. I'm ok with it on phones and on the live view, because it gives additional feedback/info, but a strictly touch device generally hasn't been my cup of tea.

masterpix · Dec 18, 2020

Canon Rumors Guy said:
Continue reading...

The picture shows a 7D mark 3 body... I wonder if that means anything?

But seriously, maybe the new shooter will also include fingerprint reader? That will allow extra security system to the camrea.