reflex camera
Through-lens viewing camera
A reflex camera uses a mirror system to show the photographer exactly what will be captured through the lens.
In a single-lens reflex (SLR), light enters through the taking lens, bounces off an angled mirror into a prism, and reaches the viewfinder—when you press the shutter, the mirror flips up to expose the film or sensor.
Twin-lens reflex cameras use separate lenses for viewing and taking.
The reflex design largely eliminated parallax errors that plagued earlier viewfinder cameras.
Reflective viewing surface
- prismLight-splitting optical element
- pentaprismFive-faced reflecting optic
- shutterHinged window covering
- viewfinderCamera's composition window
ground glass · eyepiece · diopter · mechanical · spring-loaded · blackout
Adjustable optical inlet
- shutter speedDuration of light capture
- ISOGlobal standards body
- exposureState of being unprotected
- meteringControlled measurement of quantity
light meter · autoexposure · bracketing · histogram · dynamic range · sensor
Self-adjusting lens clarity
- manual focusUser-controlled lens sharpness
- focus ringLens barrel sharpness control
- depth of fieldZone of acceptable sharpness
- bokehAesthetic quality of defocus
Mirror-based camera abbreviation
- DSLRMirror-reflex digital camera
- twin-lensHaving two optical elements
- single-lensUsing one optical element
- 35mmFilm width measurement
medium format · full-frame · mirrorless · rangefinder · large format · half-frame · digital · film
Comparable equivalent
- filmMovie or coating
- mechanicalOperated by machinery
- collectibleObject worth amassing
- classicOf lasting excellence
retro · chrome · leatherette · brass · heritage · Hasselblad · Rolleiflex · bellows
mirror
Reflective viewing surface
- prismLight-splitting optical element
- pentaprismFive-faced reflecting optic
- shutterHinged window covering
viewfinder · ground glass · eyepiece · diopter · mechanical · spring-loaded · blackout
aperture
Adjustable optical inlet
- shutter speedDuration of light capture
- ISOGlobal standards body
- exposureState of being unprotected
metering · light meter · autoexposure · bracketing · histogram · dynamic range · sensor
autofocus
Self-adjusting lens clarity
- manual focusUser-controlled lens sharpness
- focus ringLens barrel sharpness control
- depth of fieldZone of acceptable sharpness
SLR
Mirror-based camera abbreviation
- DSLRMirror-reflex digital camera
- twin-lensHaving two optical elements
- single-lensUsing one optical element
35mm · medium format · full-frame · mirrorless · rangefinder · large format · half-frame · digital · film
analog
Comparable equivalent
- filmMovie or coating
- mechanicalOperated by machinery
- collectibleObject worth amassing
classic · retro · chrome · leatherette · brass · heritage · Hasselblad · Rolleiflex · bellows · antique
- camerasDSLR, webcam, camcorder, point and shoot, mirrorless
reflex camerapoint-and-shoot camera
Automatic pocket-sized photography device
mirrorless camera · view camera · rangefinder · compact camera · pinhole camera
reflex camerapinhole camera
Lensless photographic device
box camera · disposable camera · camera obscura · smartphone camera · instant camera
reflex, camera, reflect, reflection, reflective, reflexive, reflexively, reflector, reflecting