Canon working on a fuel cell-powered DSLR
By Emily Price
A recently published patent application indicates that Canon is working on a way to power your SLR with fuel cells. The new technology could mean saying goodbye to double A batteries, and hello to a much more efficient way to power your camera.
A quote from the application states” The present invention relates to an electronic equipment system having fuel cells, and more particularly, to a camera system in which fuel cells are provided to a camera body and a connection device connected to the camera.”
In the patent Canon indicates that everything about the camera would be powered by fuel cells rather than by batteries. In addition to powering the camera itself the fuel cell would also power attachments such as a flash.
In addition to being more efficient, a fuel cell powered camera would be theoretically better for the environment. While digital cameras aren’t exactly filling the worlds landfills with batteries, cutting back on a few is definitely a step in the right direction.
It will be interesting to see where Canon goes with this one. A patent merely says that they are working on the technology, not that the technology is working, or really any where near completion. Fuel cell power would more than likely require the purchase of a whole new camera, and perhaps other additional photo equipment as well, so even if the camera gets made it may be a while before we see many photographers switching over.
I think it’s a pretty interesting concept. I know in my house we go through an amazing amount of batteries every month powering all our gadgets and gizmos, I love that a company is at least starting to think about ways to do all of that a little more efficiently.
What do you think about the possibility of using a fuel cell to power your camera?
[via PhotographyBay]
Related:
