ERGONOMIC LOGIC OF THE LUMIX GH3
Author AndrewS April 2013
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Introduction My interest in ergonomics was sparked several years ago by encounters with several cameras which featured truly awful holding, viewing and operating characteristics. Their user interface was ill conceived, clumsy and inefficient. It seems to me that camera designers are struggling to make the transition from film based analogue cameras to the much more complex electronic devices of the current era. To make life even more difficult for camera designers, the market for photo capture devices has undergone radical change over the last few years, with most snapshots being made by smart phones, not dedicated cameras.
Mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras [MILC] in general and the Micro Four Thirds System [M43] in particular, were born in the midst of this confusing mix of technological and market forces.
Regardless of technology, it seems to me that there are two basic types of photographer, the snapshooter and the controller. Snapshooters don't want to be bothered by the technical details of image capture. They just want to push the button to get the shot. Controllers, a.k.a. enthusiast, advanced, professional, photographers want to take control of the image capture process in the quest for better results.
The first round of M43 camera designs appeared to be trying to appeal to both groups. But as the format has matured, the difference between model lines has become more distinct. So, the Lumix GF line is clearly aimed at the snapshooter wanting to upgrade from a smart phone or compact camera but retain compact size and ease of use. At the other end of the M43 spectrum the GH3 is clearly aimed at the advanced user who would previously have bought a DSLR.
By the way, I am well aware and obviously so are the manufacturers, that plenty of snapshooters buy DSLR's, perhaps in the belief that a DSLR will make better photos than a compact camera. In fact the GH3 has an iA Mode in which is ideal for snapshooters. However the discussion which follows refers to use of the camera in the P,A,S,M modes.
Setup Phase As requested by many users, the GH3 is a highly configurable device. This means that the operation of many user interface modules [UIM] can be user assigned. This is a wonderful thing but the inevitable consequence is a high level of complexity at the setup phase where you not only can but must make many decisions about the function of buttons, dials, menu presets...etc.
I think it is reasonable that the expert user would expect an advanced camera like the GH3 to have certain key performance capabilities. In Setup Phase these would include: A comprehensive, logical, clearly presented menu system, with excellent graphical qualities, and user friendly navigation.
Over the years and successive models the Lumix team has improved Setup implementation. This includes menu content, layout and navigation. Compared to the GH2 the GH3 has clearer graphical presentation of items, more intuitive navigation and an improved physical UIM. Gone is the old "5 little buttons" type 4 way controller, which I never learned despite diligent practice to reliably operate by touch. The GH3 has the "Rocking saucer" type UIM. It is larger and is surrounded by a knurled ring which is easy to locate and operate by feel.
Lumix cameras also have the "Menu Resume" feature. This remembers the last used item in each menu allowing the user to return directly to that item when the Menu is next opened.
There are really only two items on my wish list for the menu system.
First is the return of a My Menu tab, but better implemented next time round. Some previous model Lumix cameras such as the GH2 do have a My Menu tab which automatically places the last five menu items accessed onto the My Menu list. I find this unsatisfactory because if I access an infrequently used menu item it automatically bumps a more frequently used item off the My Menu list. My Menu would be much more useful with user assignable content.
The second is about access to the new and useful feature called "Shutter Delay" which unfortunately can only be reached from the Rec Menu. I would appreciate being able to allocate this to the Q Menu.
Prepare Phase This is the period of a few minutes just before making photos. The camera is not being held to the eye so the operator can look at the camera, not the subject, and make adjustments while looking at UIMs and the Monitor.
The expert user will expect to be able to adjust Main Mode [P,A,S,M] Drive Mode, Focus Mode, Autofocus Mode, OIS, Burst Mode, E-Shutter, preview screen appearance and any of a range of other items determined by individual preference.
The GH3 manages Prepare Phase very well. The On/Off switch, Main Mode, Drive Mode and Focus Mode are on "set and see" modules. On premium lenses, the OIS On/Off switch is also a "set and see" type on the lens barrel. The user configurable Q Menu is easily and quickly accessible. There are several Fn buttons each of which provides user assignable function. In addition there are 5 Custom Modes each of which allows full user assignable function. An expert can configure the camera so it does just what the user wants with a wide range of options available. The only downside to this is that the option for user assignment of UIM function is also an imperative. The user who wants to take control of camera operation must make many decisions in the quest for individualisation of camera function.
The physical arrangement of the UIMs often used in Prepare phase is very good. They are all well located and easy to operate.
Capture Phase This is the Phase of camera use when the user is in the process of capturing images. It presents the greatest number of ergonomic challenges. But every challenge is also an opportunity: to design well or design badly. In the M43 system, I have bought, used and evaluated the Olympus EM-5, Lumix G1, G3, G5, GH2 and now the GH3. I have published my ergonomic findings about the EM-5, G5 and GH2 on this blog. The GH3 delivers a very substantial improvement in ergonomic capability over all those cameras. Over the last 50 years I have used many cameras from many makers. I rate the GH3 to have the best Capture Phase ergonomics of the lot. It's not quite perfect and in my view could be even better with some design modifications which I will describe in a future blog article.
The expert/controller type user is likely to have high expectations for a camera's capability in the Capture Phase. These relate to Holding, Viewing and Operating.
Holding A camera like the GH3 which is expected to operate with wide aperture and telephoto lenses, must be designed so it can be held in a very stable yet comfortable grip. The GH3 designers have re-invented the shape of the entire right side of the camera in order to make this possible. The handle at the front, thumb rest on the back and the curved shape of the whole right side of the camera all work together to make for a comfortable, stable hold on the camera. The lower right corner of the body is gently rounded. The thumb does not press accidentally on a UIM in basic hold position. Size is in the "Goldilocks zone", large enough for large adult hands but small enough for those with small hands including women and children.
Viewing An advanced modern camera is expected to provide very comprehensive viewing arrangements. The expert user wants to be able to view the subject on the Monitor or through an eye level Viewfinder. That view needs to be clear and sharp, with 100% coverage of the actual frame and with seamless transition from one to the other. In addition comprehensive and user selectable camera data needs to be seen in both viewing places, presented in the same way. Ideally the Monitor will be of the fully articulated type for maximum versatility.
The GH3 meets all these criteria. There has been much discussion in user forums about perceived faults with the GH3 EVF. I have discussed my findings about this matter in this blog. In short, some users see one or other problems, many users see no problems at all. The mystery continues................
Operating The expert user might wish to carry out any one or more of several actions in the Capture Phase. The list of items which might require adjustment is quite long, posing a substantial ergonomic challenge for designers.
These are:
* Framing: Zoom.
* Primary Exposure parameters: Shutter Speed, Aperture, ISO.
* Secondary exposure parameters: Exposure Compensation, White Balance.
* Primary Focus actions: Start/achieve Autofocus, Manual Focus.
* Secondary Focus actions: Change position/size of active AF/MF area.
In this discussion I will assume the user is viewing through the EVF. This is not always the case, of course, but this viewing option does place the greatest demand on the camera's ergonomic design with particular emphasis on the location and function of UIM's so the camera can be operated smoothly with the eye to the viewfinder, with both hands continuously holding the camera and without needing to interrupt the capture process to make an adjustment.
In the past, there has been a tendency for camera designers to locate control modules in a fashion which appears to have been inspired by the scatter of confetti at a wedding. In other words, all over the place without much evidence of coherent logic. Here are a few examples to illustrate the point:
* Several Fuji models locate the AF button on the left side of the monitor in a vertical row with several other buttons the same size and shape. This button activates the process by which the position of the AF area can be changed. But to lay a finger on the button the camera has to be taken down from the eye, the left hand grip released completely, the button pressed then the right hand grip released to operate the cursor buttons to move the AF area. On the X20 and and X100s they moved the AF button over to the 4 way controller on the right side where it can be operated with the right thumb. But the X-E1 still has it on the left side, go figure.
* Many Canon DSLR's have a row of buttons behind the top front scroll wheel. For instance the EOS 6D and 60D each have 5 of them, with the ISO button [which is the one likely to be required in Capture Phase] stuck in the middle of the row, distinguished only by a tiny little nipple on top. In my time with the 60D I never, despite much practice, learned to reliably hit the ISO button without taking the camera down from my eye so I could see the top plate. It would be so very easy to redesign these buttons so the ISO could be reliably found by touch, but they don't do it. Strange........
* Many Nikon DSLR's [eg 7000, 7100, 600] put the ISO button on the left side of the monitor, with the same problems as the Fuji example above. To make matters more confusing some models place the button second from the bottom, others right at the bottom. Other models [eg. 5200] have no dedicated ISO button at all but you can program a Fn button on the left side of the lens mount at the front of the camera to ISO. There appears to be no recognition at Nikon, of all places, that
a) ISO is a primary exposure control variable, and
b) ISO control should be allocated to a dedicated UIM in a high priority location on the camera.......hint.......right near the shutter button. Instead Nikon puts other stuff up there, like "Info" which is a Setup or at most, Prepare Phase item. On the 5200 they also put close to the shutter button Exposure Compensation which is a secondary exposure variable, and Drive Mode which is a Prepare Phase setting.
It almost seems the designers at Nikon are stuck in the film era where ISO was determined by the film in use and therefore required only a rudimentary level of control.
* Lumix camera designers have also had their share of ergonomically wayward moments, some of which I have detailed in previous articles on this blog. By way of brief summary, the G1 had the mini projecting handle with shutter button top front, an arrangement which did not conform to any known human hand. Then they put the front dial where it is obstructed by the right middle finger, so to operate the dial the user had to change grip with the right hand then change back again to resume holding the camera. The G3 had no proper handle at all and it's rear dial was extremely awkward to operate, requiring acute flexion of the thumb leading to complete disruption of the already tenuous right hand grip on the camera. Things improved with the GH2 which had lots of useful set and see dials. But the mini projecting handle was still present and incorrect, as was the "5 buttons" type 4 way controller, which required the user to look at the device [and therefore away from the subject] to be sure of hitting the right button. The G5 design and layout showed definite signs of increased ergonomic awareness. The handle has a much improved shape and the 4 way controller is of the "rocking saucer" type which is easier to locate and operate by feel. The G6, announced as I write this, appears to be a mild refresh of the G5.
The GH3 represents a big step up in all aspects of ergonomic operation.
Exposure The main Capture Phase exposure controls are grouped together just behind the shutter button and front dial. Auto Exposure is started by half press of the shutter button, as usual. Aperture in A-Prio Mode is controlled by the Front Dial [or the Rear Dial if you prefer]. White Balance, ISO and Exposure Compensation are controlled by the buttons behind the Front Dial. This arrangement groups primary and secondary exposure controls together in a coherent fashion.
Focus The Focus Mode Lever surrounds the AF/AEL button to which AF start can be allocated, separately from AF Start/Lock. This groups several of the principal focus controls where they are naturally operated by the right thumb without having to alter grip with the right hand.
Function of the [lower rear] Control Dial can be allocated exclusively to AF Area position/size control, [Direct AF Area] using the right thumb. This is not quite as convenient as a JOG lever would be but it does put focus operations onto the right thumb which can soon learn which actions are required to achieve what outcomes. With a little practice, these can be carried out by feel without having to look at any of the control modules.
User Interface Modules [UIM] I use this term to encompass buttons, dials, levers and similar hard points of user input to camera operation. The GH3 does a good job with them all. The Front, Rear and Control Dials are well located and shaped for easy operation while maintaining grip on the camera. The set and seedials/lever are well placed for instant visual reference just by looking at the camera in Prepare Phase. The buttons are mostly well positioned and easy to find and operate by feel. The WB, ISO and +/- buttons could usefully be a little closer to the Front Dial, but are workable as is. Some early reviewers complained that the Control Dial was a difficult to operate. I found that a little practice soon resolved that issue. The Fn buttons work well enough as found but I would probably prefer them to have about 1 mm more diameter and to project about 0.5 mm more.
Some users have complained about several control points having moved from locations found on previous model G cams. The Playback button has moved to the top left. Playback is a Review Phase function, carried out with the camera held, usually in both hands, down and away from the eye. So the button does not need to be close to the right thumb. The only problem with the top left location of the Playback button comes when the Monitor is swung out, when the button is a bit awkward to reach. I would still not want it back on the right side however as it would displace a UIM required for Capture Phase operation. I notice that with the G6 the Lumix designers left Playback on the right side, possibly in the belief that G5/6 users might be less experienced than GH3 users and therefore more likely to review their images in camera. Another complaint I have read on user forums is that the UIMs for ISO, WB, AF Mode and Drive Mode have departed from the Control Dial/4Way Controller and been relocated elsewhere. In fact the new locations are better ergonomically as they are up on or near the top of the camera for operation by the index finger and thumb and they free up the Control Dial for Direct Focus Area operation.
Q Menu, Fn buttons The physical and operational aspects of the Q Menu and Fn buttons are well designed and implemented. They are easy to use and with a little practice become second nature.
Review Phase This is well designed, well executed and easy to use. Press Playback button to start the review process. Front Dial scrolls through images on the card, one by one. Rear Dial zooms in or out, then to multiple image view, with scrolling by the Control Dial. Control dial on a single image moves the zoomed in view around the frame. With just a little practice this system is fast and friendly. The only improvement I can think of would be to implement "Jump to active focus area" when the review image is zoomed in. The Olympus EM5 has this feature which is a nice way to speed up the image review process.
Other Things, which make camera use enjoyable
* Battery: The BLF19PP battery is much larger than any previously seen on a M43 camera. The 1860 mah power supply is good for about 1000 shots in my hands, using a mix of EVF and monitor view. The ergonomic benefit is that I rarely have to change battery during even the heaviest day's shooting.
* The tripod socket is 20 mm back from the front edge of the baseplate and on the lens axis. This makes it suitable for telephoto and other heavy lenses.
* The battery compartment is far enough from the tripod socket that a battery could be changed on tripod.
* The Memory Card slot is on the right side of the handle, separate from the battery compartment.
Quirks, Foibles, Glitches, Messups and Kludges. The GH3 is blessed with remarkably few bad, annoying or dysfunctional characteristics. Overall it provides one of the most coherent user interfaces I have ever encountered in a camera.
My wishlist for firmware upgrades My wish list is quite short. Some contributors to user forums have posted much longer lists, but I think most of the suggestions which I have read are in the service of highly specific and individual preferences which don't really lead to improved operation, just different.
1. Add [Shutter Delay] to the list of items which can be assigned to either the Q Menu or a Fn Button.
2. Enable Automatic [Jump to AF Area] with zoom into the Playback image.
3. When changing position of AF area, allow [Re Center AF Area] with Menu/Set Button. As presently configured the user must press the Disp Button to recenter the active AF Area. This works but means that after activating [Direct Focus Area] and moving the AF Area with the Control Dial/Cursor Buttons the right thumb has to go find a different button by feel in order to recenter the active AF Area. I have trained myself to do this however it would be faster if the "recenter" action stayed on the Control Dial/Cursor.
MF Mode uses either the Menu/Set Buttton or the Fn3 Button to enlarge the preview image. This means the camera has two UIM's doing the same thing. With MF you still need to hit the Disp Button to recenter the active MF Area.
It seems to me there would be no impediment to assigning [Re Center AF Area] in AF or MF to the Menu/Set Button.
4. Bring back [My Menu] but this time make all items user selectable.
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