Digital camera with improved portability and ease of use

A digital camera comprising:

• a camera body, said camera body being longer in a lateral direction than in a vertical direction perpendicular to the lateral direction;
• an optical system having a lens positioned on a first side of said camera body, said optical system including a means for covering said lens by sliding in the vertical direction, parallel to the surface of the first side of said camera body, within a range of said camera body at said first side of said camera body;
• and
• a flash device secured to the camera body on the first side of said camera body and at a same constant distance in the lateral direction from said lens at all times, wherein
• said means for covering said lens covers a front surface of said flash device,
• said flash device flashes and illuminates a photographic subject, and
• said lens is arranged at an upper edge of the first side of said camera body.

A method for protecting a digital camera, the digital camera including a camera body that is longer in a lateral direction than in a vertical direction perpendicular to the lateral direction, an optical system having a lens positioned on a front of said camera body, and a flash device positioned on the front of said camera body and positioned at a same constant distance in the lateral direction from said lens at all times, said method comprising:

• covering said lens with a cover device including a cover member coupled to said camera body and configured to cover and uncover said lens by sliding in the vertical direction, parallel to the surface of the front of said camera body, within a range of said camera body at the front of the camera body;
• covering a front surface of said flash device with said cover device when covering the lens;
• and
• flashing and illuminating a photographic subject by said flash device, wherein
• said digital camera further includes said lens arranged at an upper edge of the front of said camera body.