Canon Wants to Revolutionize One-Handed Camera Operation
Canon Wants to Revolutionize One-Handed Camera Operation

Canon Wants to Revolutionize One-Handed Camera Operation

2021-08-11
2 mins read

A brand new patent application published by Canon shows that the company wants to revolutionize the way camera is operated in one hand. The application demonstrates a camera with an integrated innovative grip design with touch sensors to facilitate one-handed operation.

Image pick-up device and adjustment mechanism. Canon Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-9307
Image pick-up device and adjustment mechanism. Canon Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-9307

A hollow design to enhance gripping

The pictures of the brand new Canon’s patent application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-9307) pretty speak for themselves. The patent titled “Image pick-up device and adjustment mechanism” (Google translated from Japanese) shows a camera very similar to the forthcoming EOS R3, but with a hollow design (“Grip of L-Shape Form”) which allows to firmly hold and operate the camera in one hand, and in a much more secured way. As described: “An imaging device that can change an imaging position without removing a device while a user confirms a composition with good visibility”. According to Canon, the design’s goal is: “To provide an imaging device capable of securing a good gripping property at both of a horizontal position and a vertical position and eliminating a possibility of removing a device when changing from a vertical position to a horizontal position or from a horizontal position to a vertical position”.

Image pick-up device and adjustment mechanism. Canon Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-9307
Image pick-up device and adjustment mechanism. Canon Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-9307

The patent titled “Image pick-up device and adjustment mechanism” shows a camera very similar to the forthcoming EOS R3, but with a hollow design (“Grip of L-Shape Form”) which allows to firmly hold and operate the camera in one hand, and in a much more secured way.

L-shape touch sensors

Apart from the hollow grip, there’re L-shape touch sensors (or one integrated sensor). As described (translated by Google): “In addition to the effect that the user can change the imaging position without the risk of removing the device, it is possible to more suitably perform the touch gesture operation on the GUI displayed which a user performs a touch gesture operation on a touch sensor”. Canon claims that this application was born to address grip facilitation. As stated in the application: “Some imaging devices such as a single-lens reflex camera and a video camera have been provided with a contrivance for facilitating gripping a grip in order to improve operability when changing an imaging angle”. By locating the sensor in strategic paces, and improving the grip, changing the shooting angle will be significantly improved. Anyway, the patent does not elaborate regarding the specific functionality of the L-shape sensors. However, we can assume that it’ll allow basic camera functions like aperture, ISO, and shutter speed. Explore the images below:

Image pick-up device and adjustment mechanism. Canon Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-9307
Image pick-up device and adjustment mechanism. Canon Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-9307
Image pick-up device and adjustment mechanism. Canon Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-9307
Image pick-up device and adjustment mechanism. Canon Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-9307
Image pick-up device and adjustment mechanism. Canon Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-9307
Image pick-up device and adjustment mechanism. Canon Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-9307

In addition to the effect that the user can change the imaging position without the risk of removing the device, it is possible to more suitably perform the touch gesture operation on the GUI displayed which a user performs a touch gesture operation on a touch sensor.

Canon

Summary

The patent application above presets one of a kind camera design that is aimed for one-handed operation. The design is composed of two innovative concepts: The hollow grip and the L-shape sensor. Both of them are designed to complete each other and thus facilitate the camera operation in one hand.

Yossy is a filmmaker who specializes mainly in action sports cinematography. Yossy also lectures about the art of independent filmmaking in leading educational institutes, academic programs, and festivals, and his independent films have garnered international awards and recognition.
Yossy is the founder of Y.M.Cinema Magazine.

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