Say It 'Aint So!

Now I'm not one typically to complain about the evolution of our everyday gadgetry, but a touchscreen DSLR!? This just makes no sense to me. Don't get me wrong, I completely understand the applicability of a touchscreen as a supplementary input, but I touchscreen alone cannot encompass all input features necessary on high-end digital imaging devices. That which makes a DSLR so much different than your typical point and shoot (aside from a much larger sensor) is the viewfinder. With the viewfinder accuracy is upheld - which is of utmost importance in photography.

To add a touchscreen input, would mean we would need to sacrifice using the viewfinder as much, or develop some alternative that allows us to view the image and use input controls simultaneously. If such technologies were to be employed in a vastly different design (such as the concept I posted a few days ago) then I could see this as a viable inclusion. But without some very necessary structural changes, the incorporation is in essence pushing the evolution of the device backward.

Don't get me wrong, with or without such technologies pros will continue to use the device with phenomenal results, but the growing population of amateur photographers will find and use easier, and less accurate methods in which to take their photography. Granted I do see such technology as a good stepping stone from your typical point-and-shoot, I find it more consumer-friendly option than a true improvement in design.

Though haptic feedback is not always necessary, as the iPhone has showed us, there are limitations - particularly if we look at gaming for instance. As successful as games are on the iPhone, it is the type of game allowable by design that constricts these games. Yes, buttons are a thing of the past, something that one day will probably be replaced with fewer moving parts, meaning fewer complications in the future. But feedback in touch is still needed; we cannot remove the sense of touch by compensating more visuals. There comes a time and point where all of our sensing should be accounted for in digital design.

Digital doesn't mean only visual, yet for some reason it seems that many companies are migrating towards these designs - given slimmer form factors and customization abilities. Yet the need for haptic feedback remains!

I did a little research of haptics, and it seems a number of concepts are currently being developed by various companies to combat this problem. I will be posting a new entry with an overview and thoughts on the issue in the near future.