Reader's concept prompts question: what would your ideal camera be?

A rangefinder in Nikon F-mount with at least an APS-C sensor.

A camera with the same feature set as the x-pro 1 but smaller, cheaper and with perfect firmware is something I'd go for, all the current csc systems have various combinations of these but so far none have everything.

Due to lack of time I need a pocketable large sensor compact that I can always carry with me and take pictures with, when I spontaneously have time for it:

Similar to Sony Rx-100
- 1 inch sensor (similar to RX-100)
- Flash with bounce off wall possibility
- Pocketable dimensions (Sony's: 101x58x36 mm)
- Lens Ring to adjust aperture or shutter speed

Similar to Canon G15
- A lens fast enough to capture low depth of field images
- At least 4x zoom if not 5x zoom
- Built-in ND filter
- 1080 full HD at 24 fps and stereo mic
- Manual buttons for exposure

Additionally:
Manual button for ISO, and free functional button

AND WHAT WOULD BE THE COOLEST (however not so realistic...):
If it were shock, and waterproof (to at least 10 m, better 15 m).

Basically it would be the best of these three cameras in one!

As the saying is, "The best camera is the one you carry with you", I'd carry this one with me ALL the time! :)))

My concept blends the best parts from current models.

Base: Olympus XZ-2 with optional EVF/OVF
Changes:
- multi aspect Foveon sensor, 2/3", only 10 MP, high ISO like Oly's 16MP sensor
- fast CPU: no lags with RAW, 5-10 fps
- collapsible lens 24-100mm, F1.8.2.5, quality like XZ/LX7, manual zoom like X10
- manual focus with magnification like PEN-series + focus peaking
- extra switches/buttons: time/iso, EV, focus, flash, 2x custom FN
- exact horiz. level system with sound
- size like XZ-1 (G15 can do this with even more zoom, but smaller sensor)
- price: 400-500€
- water sealing would be perfect, but is prob. impossible

I do not care about video capability, as it puts too many restrictions on sensor, CPU and lens system. Also GPS, touch screen and Wifi are negligible.

For me it would be the following:

Take the Nikon FM3a

-replace the file loading section with a full frame sensor
- rip out that mirror
- add an extra dial for the ISO settings
- replace the optical viewfinder with a digita
- add a digital battery readout indicating battery life/shots taken/remaining
- no lcd preview screen
- bonus pointes if it sihips with a 50mm f1.4
- Price it < $2000

And there you have it -- It'll never happen. But I can still dream :)

That is easy - an Epson R-D2 = an R-D1s with a higher megapixel sensor.

My dream: A camera with excellent ergonomy and just manual shutter speed, aperture setting and ISO setting, electronic viewfinder and no lightmeter other than what you see in the EVF/on the screen (live histogram on/off). All available data power should be used for the tracking autofocus. Such a camera would be simple and extremery quick in use, have good battery life, and you would get rid of everything that is not needed. Back to basic! The extreme basic!

>"but it raises questions the question: "

I think it would behove this site to proofread the couple of lines of news posted daily.
Looking at how many staff you now have one would think you'd at least read 10 lines of news twice before hitting the old "publish"-button. SCNR.

Now that looks ugly. I think a camera hasn't to be perfect. I love my Fuji X100 and it's far from perfect. Perfection is boring. Now if I think about it: The camera above looks just fine.

I really like the way of Fuji X-Pro1 and Oly OM-D, so my ideal camera could be quite similar to this:

+ aps-c sensor with Foveon or X-Trans CMOS sensor with adequate resolution (max 16MP for aps-c), no AA filter
+ same controls like on X-Pro1, rather smaller body
+ in body stabilization
+ base ISO 50 (with best IQ)
+1/4000s shutter, quiet shutter
+ hybrid viewfinder, with focus peaking in OVF, accurate digitaly projected framelines for composition with paralax correction in OVF
+ external phase detection AF sensor - like in Ricoh GR Digital IV, good AF performance in lowlight
+ at least 400 pictures per battery
+ two sd card slots
+weather sealed
+ 24,35,50,80,135mm fast primes, 24-80 f/4 zoom,35mm pancake prime, FF EQ, distance and DOF scales for manual focus - like Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm f/2 ED, apperture ring with 1/2 stops clicks, displayed values + A position,
weather sealed
+small flash unit with ver bouncing, built-in bounce card, highspeed sync

Something like the Olympus OM-D E-M5 with the following adjustments:
1. WiFi - Full control over WiFi with documented SDK for personal development of Applications for iOS, Android and Windows Phone.
The SDK must supply Live View, and full control over the shutter, exposure and focus.
2. Built In intervalometer.
3. GPS (Or allow GPS tagging by the WiFi SDK).
4. Bracketing Done Right (Allow initialization with one click to take all photos).

A dream camera that is impossible to build:
A fullframe rangefider style compact with fixed zoom lens (24-200 mm f1,4-2,8), combined OVF/EVF, waterproof, loads of external controls, not bigger than NEX-6 with collapsible kit zoom.
A dream camera that could be made:
A compact camera with fixed zoom lens (like Sony RX100), 1" to 4/3 sensor, EVF (like Nikon V1), 25-100 mm lens with f1,8-2,8, sufficiend hand-grip, enough external controls.
The closest to this dream is a Sony RX100 with EVF and a bit wider and faster lens.

Medium format 60MP weather sealed camera

- 6x6 micron pixel size
- Live view functionality with live view focusing similar to Canon/Nikon. While still maintaining superior image quality equal to that of the latest Dalsa CCD's at base ISO.
- Top notch lenses, with optical quality similar to Leica S or Schneider/Phase One 645.
- Fully weather sealed camera housing, including digital back, and lenses.
- Intuitive handling, including menu system. Bright LCD viewable in sunlight and from an acute angle.
- RAW format: Adobe native format, .psd or similar.
- True 16- bit color processing, and lots of dynamic range.
- Lenses: 24mm, 35mm, 45mm T/S, 80mm, 120mm, 250mm. They do not need to be too bright, but sharp and realtively compact for hiking etc. All lenses must be able to take front- mounted filters.
- Operating conditions: - 20 to + 50 Celcius, with batteries which endure in cold weather.

Anyone out there who are willing to design and put this baby into production? ;)

I'd love a digital back for my OM1, that's never goner happen is it

Digital Mamiya 6.

The "ideal" camera is NO camera at all, ever again.

A mobile phone with the capabilities of, say, an MF digital back and a 10mm - 200mm f/2,8 or something would be ideal if it could shoot 10fps. Until that happens (read: never?...) at least a mobile with a camera like yesteryear's compact digicams would be great. The more phones improve the less I care about digicams, even -- if not especially -- large bulky DSLRs.

Carrying kit around is just not on. Miniaturize before eliminating entirely.

I'd like to see a Digital Voigtlander Bessa.. FF.. something like Epson RD1.. or Leica M digital.. with much less dollars of course.

1. 27x18mm Foveon sensor, no AA filter, 5400x3600 3:2 (19.4MP on each layer). 1.33 crop factor.
2. CFast or half-mSATA storage media. 150MB/s minimum sequential write.
3. 3Ah battery that can last for 1000 shots or 3Hr of video.
4. Weather sealed body.
5. One fixed lens (like Sony RX1, Fuji X100). X10 motorized zoom, f/1.8 throughout zoom range. 24-240mm range.
6. WiFi A/B/G/N with 2.4GHz and 5GHz.
7. USB3.0 port
8. 120Hz 3.5" LCD with 800nits brightness. Fully articulated like the Sony A99. iPhone-grade multi-touch capability with touch focus and touch shutter.
9. Video: 2560x1440p60 and 1920x1080p72, All-I, 72Mbps, 4:2:2
10. Stills: DNG RAW, 10fps with AF between shots.

Micro 2/3rds Contax G3x. Brilliant OVF, matchless lenses, wonderful build-quality. Looks like the pastiche above. The Olympus xz-2 is getting close but it lacks a 24mm at the wide end and the VF is expensive. The Sony RX100 is possibly close to the best but it too lacks 24mm. That leaves the Panasonic LX7 but with an even smaller sensor than it predecessor. Canon's G1x is too big and no 24mm and the G15 suffers with the same problem--no 24mm and a useless OVF. Bottom line: I am still waiting but in the meantime will persevere with my Panasonic G3 and 2 lenses which are too bulky for me as I findconvenience is starting to rule the day.

How about a collapsible camera(high end DSLR standard) that folds into the size of a compact that fits in your pocket," you heard it hear first" i want royalties.

Olympus XZ-2 form factor with option for EVF, built-in bounce flash like in the E-PL1 with option for wireless flash, 24-90mm eq. f/2.0-2.8 lens with built-in ND filter, shutter speed of 1/4000, keep the bulb mode, 1" sensor that is at least 1 2/3 stops better than the latest 12mp Sony 1/1.7" sensor, preferably multi-aspect. Priced around the Sony RX100 range.

I have ideal camera : Nikon D700.
I need an AF Leica Elmarit 28/2.8 or an AF Zeiss Distagon 21/2.8 for D700
and a Nikon 400/5.6.
That's all.

I loved the lens on my Sony D770. 28-140mm F2-2.4

Now that's a useful range

Weather-sealed magnesium body with in-body stabilization and vertical grip with AA power option (sort of like a mirrorless version of the Pentax K-5)

Focus peaking which functions as well in the EVF as in the LCD; ability to switch mechanically between EVF and LCD, turning off the one not in use

Tilt-shift adapters for a variety of lenses with as many electronic contacts as possible

DNG raw format

medium format sensor, Nikon D3200 body :), canon 1D AF, fuji X glass

The dream camera for most people is... the next to come :-/
(i.e. never satisfied)

This camera and most of the comments remind me of the episode of the Simpson's where Homer designs a car.

The ONE crucial element I would have for an ideal highend camera is missing in action - that of interchangeable sensors. This, of course, would take a set of standards similar to those used by the computer industry for their components, but as the computer industry has clearly achieved this goal years ago there is no reason the camera industry cannot. The industry could offer a lineup of sensors for any particular body. Obviously, this range of sensors could run from bare-bones (and less expensive) offerings to full-tilt boogie professional sensors at the high end. Additionally, there is the possibility of sensors tuned to specific types of shooting, or specialized photography. This would NOT lose the industry any profitability (which I believe is the basis of their fear of this route), but would actually improve their range of product and profitability.

That being said, a weathersealed Olympus E-30 with a portion of the E-1 control layout would be my ideal setup.

John

John

FF DSLR same size as Pentax MX.