Nikon’s Patent Tells us About their Future Cameras
Nikon keeps blowing photographers away with their critically acclaimed Nikon DSLR cameras. According to recently published patent applications, Nikon may have something special up its sleeve for its next generation of DSLRs ( you can read the whole thing on uspto.gov – just search for the application number US 2008/0084484).
In the patent, a small display screen is visible through the optical viewfinder. The photographer can switch back and forth between the optical image and the digital display for a variety of purposes. According to the patent, one of the most prominent uses will be to enable a wide viewing angle when zoomed in tight on a subject. The digital display will show a wide angle image with a superimposed frame that indicates the field of view provided by the lens. In the upper left corner, the new Nikon tech provides a zoom bar, which indicates the current focal length of the attached lens. The viewfinder’s electronic display also features the ability to magnify the image by optical or digital zoom.
Nikon contemplates integrating this in-viewfinder display in different types of DSLRs. Specifically, in a full-sized pro camera, like–maybe–the Nikon D3X, or maybe a sports-oriented D3H. There is some indication it will also be in more consumer-grade Nikon DSLRs such as the Nikon D90 coming in September.
[ Via, Photos via: PhotoBay ]
