p.1 #1 · Which manufacturer has the most intuitive UI?
I'm working on a project regarding digital camera UI design and I wanted to poll our community to find out what manufacturer has the most intuitive UI (Menus) and which you feel is also the worst.
As this is just an initial round of questioning, bias is fine, I just want to see where the general opinion lies.
If you have the time, please post with your answer and why you chose it, but also feel free to share any experience (good or bad) you've had with digital camera UI, as well as your overall experience with photography (as in, what genre you cater to and how long you've been in it.)
All skill levels are welcome!
Furthermore, as this develops I would be very interested in conducting interviews (via email / skype / phone or in person if you're local to me) to discuss the topic. If that is something you would be willing to participate in later, please send me a PM.
Thanks everyone!
EDIT: I made a blunder in the poll options and forgot to include Fuji and Samsung, so if that is your vote please select "Other". The poll is just to get a general idea of user preference. I will elaborate more as my research furthers.
p.1 #2 · Which manufacturer has the most intuitive UI?
Leica, but I think a simple camera (no AF) can have a simple UI. Canon/Nikon pro cameras need a lot more menu options thus a more complicated UI. And before anyone brings up how simple the UI is in the S-006, you have to understand that the AF in that camera is also simple. Either way, I voted Leica as it's a system (be it S or M) that has only what I need to get the job done, nothing more nothing less.
EDIT: Wanted to add that Sony is the worst, and I've used them all.
p.1 #3 · Which manufacturer has the most intuitive UI?
Samsung is often praised in their camera reviews for having a great UI, but its not directly on your list. It's the best menu system of any camera I've used recently (menu options have grown over the years, so older cameras menus could be simpler). I've never had a Panasonic mirrorless, but their P&S camera menus are intuitive. Sony takes my vote for the worst.
p.1 #4 · Which manufacturer has the most intuitive UI?
May I just say that within the Leica system, there exists a plethora of UI's. Some are predicated on Sony parts, T system, X vario (different), while the Leica D-lux (typ 109) is predicated on a Panasonic part, another GUI altogether. Some are ok, some suck. Same goes with Sony... RX series having different layout menus than A7 or a6000, even though the cameras are released at exactly the same time, and are supposed to coexist in the marketplace.
Further, none of the manufacturers above represent more than 1% of the actual pictures taken with cameras, COMBINED. The UI you should be concentrating on is that of the smartphone, specifically Android and iOS options, like instagram, and why they are so superior to digital camera UI's.
More troubling is the fact that none of the manufacturers above see that as the problem, "the software", and refuse to invest in a common GUI that streamlines the user experience for their cameras. Quite frankly, one new mount from Apple and I would expect every manufacturer above to die except for Leica... the future of cameras being software, something the japanese companies have never been able to grasp.
p.1 #6 · Which manufacturer has the most intuitive UI?
I knew I forgot a couple (Fuji / Samsung)
If that's what you're voting for please choose "Other". Also, yes I am well aware of mobile UI for photography purposes, that will be integrated into the project, but right now my line of questioning is just involving cameras (from P&S to DSLR).
p.1 #7 · Which manufacturer has the most intuitive UI?
It's not really fair to compare DSLR cameras with mirrorless cameras. DSLRs have fewer features, options and custom functions, so they are a lot less complex. Because DSLR menus are simpler they are also more intuitive and easier to navigate. So if you combine them all together I would say Canon wins hands down.
p.1 #8 · Which manufacturer has the most intuitive UI?
If you're talking Menus, I like Panasonic. Overall UI, though, including direct controls on the camera, I give to Fuji. Everything easy to change and visible at all times. Leica fits this as well, I suppose, though I have very limited experience with Leica.
p.1 #10 · Which manufacturer has the most intuitive UI?
I chose leica. With the M system I Never have trouble finding something and it feels like I don't have to think about using the menu or camera. The basic settings I can use without looking, the menu I just have a fast look.
I do have to notice I'm using them since the M8 and the menu hasn't changed much. 8 years experience with that menu helps a lot off course.
At the opposite site sits sony. I have had the nex 5n and now have the a7. Even after having the a7 for a year I still can't find setting I need. But I do not use it that often so maybe having more experience would do the trick.
p.1 #11 · Which manufacturer has the most intuitive UI?
My comment on Fuji was more snark than anything. Of the digitals I have used menu-wise I found the Panasonics to be acceptable. My NEX 5 I wanted to throw across the room, and my X-T1 I bought mainly because I could, for the most part, avoid the menus altogether. With the Pany and the Sony I found myself shooting film and very little digital. The Fuji is a good transition for me as it allows me to maintain an older workflow at the camera level while I tackle the arcane art of Lightroom. When I have had to delve into the Fuji menus I found them to be arranged in a fairly logical fashion - but then I rarely have to access them.
p.1 #14 · Which manufacturer has the most intuitive UI?
Leica, both M and S. S even better to me as it offer more customization to quick access certain stuff.
Nikon is good, but even within their line, there is a lot differences between and I am very puzzled by the difference. D810 is way better than DF. With D810, I clearly know where to go get my stuff done: mainly exposure delay setting, MLU, timer setting, autoISO, level, multiple exposure setting etc... because I keep all setting in customer setting bank, which DF won't allow me to do so with many items.
Canon can be the same, with brief experience with 6D, no much complain.
Fuji is OK, my father use it. Give me more time, I should be able grasp it.
p.1 #15 · Which manufacturer has the most intuitive UI?
Of all the cameras I've owned, if I had to vote for a great menu system, it's the Panasonic GX1. I'm assuming this carries over to their other cameras also.
Now the caveat with this is, I vote Panasonic assuming that your definition of "the menu system" extends to the screen interface -- Like their custom user panel or Olympus's SCP, for instance.
Panasonic's custom menu setup is awesome, and their normal menus aren't too bad either.
I've never used Leica, so I can't say, and it's been so long since I've used Pentax that I can't remember how they worked
For worst ever, I'd vote the 'NEX' series of menus from Sony. I'm also not a fan of Sony's Alpha menu system, but it's at least tolerable.
Depending on how you want to stretch "menu" definition, the Canon EOS-M gets honorable mention here - a pretty good menu system coupled with a rather surprisingly good touch-menu interface.
p.1 #16 · Which manufacturer has the most intuitive UI?
I have used Panasonic m4/3, Canon, Sigma, Pentax, Sony (tried quite a bit of Nikon, Oly).
Pentax ranks the best.
Smart things that 'flows better photographically'
Eg.
1. A 'green button' that sets any setting to its default (eg. ISO; EV compensation; etc) instead of scrolling and scrolling to get it back.
2. A review screen with both histogram superimposed over the image for quick reference.
3. Picture review zoom in at the click of the scroll wheel at user defined zoom in magnification
4. Timer release for auto bracketing
Sigma (DP1m) is surprisingly well thought out too, despite the well documented camera quirks.
Panasonic was rather straightforward. Not offering anything much over that though.
Canon was bland, almost like you get more if you pay more kinda way. But overall, rather nice and easy to use.
p.1 #17 · Which manufacturer has the most intuitive UI?
fuji XT1 & leica because you can bypass the menus, in fact you could gaffer tape the whole rear LCD and still have as much creative control as we had 20 years ago.
For me best menus = no menus
I think there's a reason why physical controls still exist to this day, they are faster to operate and more intuitive.
p.1 #18 · Which manufacturer has the most intuitive UI?
I'm with those that mentioned Fuji, simply because the controls are such that I so rarely have to use the menus at all. When I do, they are simple enough.
p.1 #19 · Which manufacturer has the most intuitive UI?
Spyro P. wrote:
fuji XT1 & leica because you can bypass the menus, in fact you could gaffer tape the whole rear LCD and still have as much creative control as we had 20 years ago.
For me best menus = no menus
I think there's a reason why physical controls still exist to this day, they are faster to operate and more intuitive.
Several Fuji lenses have no aperture markings. That mandates the use of some kind of screen.
p.1 #20 · Which manufacturer has the most intuitive UI?
Ricoh GR has the best UI/layout I've ever used. Pentax DSLRs are the best in that category, closely followed by Nikon. Canon UI baffles me, have to say. Olympus M43 is basically the worst, though the SCP is great.
