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I recently came across this concept for a DSLR camera from California College of the Arts student Erin Fong-- the Nova camera. This is just a concept and I am not sure what it would take to manifest a real version of the camera, but I thought it was interesting enough to share. 

What I really liked about this concept is that it's a new design of an SLR, something we haven't really seen before. For the most part, DSLRs look just like film SLR cameras and with such drastic advancements in the technology of SLRs, it would be cool to see a change in the design of the cameras, too.

Personally, I don't have real problem with current design of DSLRs and perhaps the technology limits the design, but it's nice to at least see an innovation--even if it is only a concept right now.  

Here is what Erin told me about the Nova Camera concept:

"[The Nova] is the result of a 2 month project in one of my classes at California College of the Arts. The concept was derived after spending some time with a DSLR camera. I noticed that in trying to capture the perfect image of different objects, people, and buildings in different environment, there were several ways that I wanted to hold the camera, yet the form of the camera remained static.

As a result, I wanted to challenge the form of the camera. By putting moveable arms on the camera, people can decide how they want to hold the camera and in what hand they want the buttons to be in. In addition, after becoming familiar with the camera, people can easily locate the buttons with the features they need. The idea is that it would be like playing the piano, where pianists don't look at the piano keys, but use muscle memory to create music."

The Nova concept is really based around mobility and flexibility. The movable arms allow comfort to left and right handed users. Additionally, the buttons are on the camera arms where your fingertips would be, allowing access to features easily while shooting.  As Erin says, the point of the Nova is really that "the flexibility of the camera's form gives users a greater versatility in image capturing along with an enjoyable experience while using the Nova camera."

 

Thanks to Erin for sharing this unique concept with us, and I hope more student designers take on projects like this one. A concept that certainly would be interesting is a housing for Erin's Nova camera!