Design your own camera

[Reschsmooth]

For a bit of fun, I offer you the opportunity to design your own camera based on the specs you want. (Ignore lenses and other peripherals unless your camera is not a detachable-lens camera).

For mine, and realising that I will both miss some things and seek to amend my design after reading others, I would want my camera to:

1. Only shoot RAW - I can't recall the last time I used a jpg straight out of the camera for photos destined for sharing. I may not do much to the photo but I will almost always make sure the whites are white and boost contrast a little. Therefore, I don't want all the jpg algorithms and menu options included.
2. 12 or so mp but high ISO - I don't print that big but want to be able to use the camera in lower light environments than the current D200 allows without the need for flash or other light.
3. Large rear screen that can be reviewed in all [realistic] light conditions.
4. Greater dynamic range - say 12 stops. I generally don't like the look of HDR.
5. Forgot about this one - full frame sensor - thanks Cameron

There is probably more but I can't think of it at the moment.

Knock yourselves out.

[aim54x]

-Full frame sensor (12-18MP)
-16 stops dynamic range
-D3s High ISO (or better)
-6-12fps (not slowed by shooting 14-bit NEF)
-SMALL body (D90 sized or even a bit smaller)
-3" AMOLED screen
-51pt all cross hatch AF system that covers the frame (not like in a D700 and D3/S/X)
-Dual CF slots (thanks Aussie Dave)
-ONLY M, A and S modes (thanks Aussie Dave)

[Aussie Dave]

All of the above, plus:

- multi-card slots (both CF and SD compatible)
- ability to auto-backup files wirelessly to PC/NAS via WiFi or Bluetooth (on the fly)
- much larger LED screen on back which acts as a touchscreen (instead of having a myriad of buttons on the rear of the camera body
- touchscreen would act on gestures similar to modern laptop touchpads (eg. Zoom, scroll etc.)
- a "lock" button for the touch-screen, so when you're looking thru viewfinder you don't accidentally change settings
- smart power management to cater for touchscreen design and operation
- only basic modes available (aperture priority, shutter priority and manual) - no portrait/night/landscape modes
- VR/IS in-camera (not lens-dependant)

I'm sure there's more but that's all for now

[surenj]

Calibrated hi gamut 4 inch LCD.

[Killakoala]

I already have a D700. Although voice control would be cool.

[aim54x]

I already have a D700.

Rub it in Steve....

[Wocka]

For me it would be:
* Panoramic size sensor
* The ability for the histogram to be selective to a certain portion of the image, eg to be able to zoon in on the sky and have the histogram reflect that portion of the image, same for the land etc...
* A digital level on the LCD, instead of trying to view the spirit level buble of the tripod @ 5:30am in the dark.

[photomarcs]

7D with a fullframe sensor =D

that, i'd be happy with.

oh! and full compatability with Canon and Nikon lenses.

[surenj]

7D with a fullframe sensor =D

Nice call Marc. Although I would have been satisfied with a 12MP crop sensor as well!

[Matt. K]

I'd like a telephone built into mine.

[surenj]

I'd like a telephone built into mine.

You could call technical support when you get too much noise in a long exposure during a sunrise shoot....