Password Protected Cameras

[MannyZoom]

I wonder if it would be possible to add a password protecting features to cameras to deter thieves from stealing the camera. Like an option to lock the camera every time it is turned off or the battery gets taken out. It could be something like a short or long password, or even a 4-digit pin. Take examples from cell phones. 

This would be a great feature to add in future firmware updates. 

[Tintype_18]

Good idea but I had a fellow tell me he could get my computer password in less than three minutes. IMO, if someone steals the camera and find they can't use it, they will toss it and steal another one.

[justadude]

"IMO, if someone steals the camera and find they can't use it, they will toss it and steal another one"

Exactly.  This is why you sometimes see cell phones tossed aside near a curb or side of a building.  At least we see them from time to time in our downtown area, or off to the side of hiking trails.  When someone accidentally drops their phone, it's rarely off to the side.

[justadude]

It's not a bad idea for some people, but only if there is a way to completely disable it for most of us.  Often during event photography (or even on casual photo walks) there are random times where your camera goes to sleep because it hasn't been used for 2 minutes.  It's would get awful annoying constantly punching in a pin to wake it back up.  During hired events, I could see me missing quite a few shots. 

[LeeP]

This seems like a lot of fuss for nothing. The thief likely would not know the camera is protected or even more likely could figure a way to "jailbreak" the camera if it was locked. Thus, this would be an essentially useless feature. Here's a crazy thought: pay closer attention to where your camera is. I'm sure that Canon would be thrilled to have to unlock cameras when people forget their password.

[kvbarkley]

In order for the correct people at Canon to see this idea, you need to send feedback here:

But there will be too many missed shots with folks fumbling to enter the password as the UFO sails off into the distance.

A fingerprint sensor might work, though.