Camera Types

Camera Types

  

A single-lens reflex camera (SLR) typically uses a mirror and prism system (hence "reflex", from the mirror's reflection) that permits the photographer to view through the lens and see exactly what will be captured, contrary to viewfinder cameras where the image could be significantly different from what will be captured.

Medium format photography uses a larger film type than 35mm film cameras, allowing for more detail to be captured and the negative to be printed dramatically larger than 35mm film prints. Medium format cameras are great as you begin to learn more advanced basic photography tips and techniques and work well before moving to large format cameras.

Large format refers to any imaging format of 4×5 inches or larger. Large format is larger than "medium format", the 6×6 cm or 6×9 cm size and much larger than the 24×36 mm frame of 35 mm format. The main advantage of large format, film or digital, is higher resolution. A 4×5 inch image has about 16 times the area, and thus 16× the total resolution, of a 35 mm frame.

A twin-lens reflex camera (TLR) is a type of camera with two objective lenses of the same focal length. One of the lenses is the photographic objective or "taking lens" (the lens that takes the picture), while the other is used for the viewfinder system, which is usually viewed from above at waist level. TLRs are film cameras, most often using 120 films, although there are many examples that used other formats. No general-purpose digital TLR cameras exist

A digital single-lens reflex camera (also called a digital SLR or DSLR) is a digital camera combining the optics and the mechanisms of a single-lens reflex camera with a digital imaging sensor, as opposed to photographic film. The reflex design scheme is the primary difference between a DSLR and other digital cameras.

A point-and-shoot camera, also called a compact camera, is a still camera designed primarily for simple operation.^[1] Most use focus free lenses or autofocus for focusing, automatic systems for setting the exposure options, and have flash units built in. Point-and-shoots are by far the best selling type of separate camera, as distinct from camera phones. They are popular with people who do not consider themselves photographers but want an easy to use camera for snapshots of vacations, parties, reunions and other events.

A compact system camera (CSC) should be lightweight, portable and take great photos. With the ability to change lenses, they offer flexibility in the way you capture a picture and are a cheaper alternative to DSLR cameras. Pocketable or mini options that look no larger than a compact camera and, without a viewfinder, often function very much like one

Bridge cameras are cameras are often comparable in size and weight to the smallest digital SLRs and there are also superzoom DSLR-shape bridge camera with retractable lens to make it more compact, but almost all digital bridge cameras lack an optical viewfinder system. The phrase has been in use at least since the 1980s and continues to be used with digital cameras. The term "bridge camera" was originally used to refer to film cameras which "bridged the gap" between point-and-shoot cameras and SLRs.

The instant camera is a type of camera that generates a developed film image. The most popular types to use self-developing film were formerly made by Polaroid Corporation Polaroid cameras can be classified by the type of film they use. The earliest Polaroid’s used instant roll film, which has since been discontinued. Roll film came in two rolls, which were loaded into the camera and eventually offered in three sizes.

A camcorder is an electronic device combining a video camera and a video recorder, typically used for consumer video recording. Although marketing materials may use the colloquial term "camcorder", the name on the package and manual is often "video camera recorder". Most devices capable of recording video are camera phones and digital cameras primarily intended for still pictures; the term "camcorder" is used to describe a portable, self-contained device, with video capture and recording its primary function.

Lomo- lomography fixed focal length camera with 2 lengths which makes you think about what your doing more. It is a film camera, and has a switch to change between lengths. 

Mobile devise- phone, tablet. Different lenses can be purchased to put over lens to achieve a wide angle etc.