A single-lens reflex camera (SLR) is the type of camera that uses a mirror.
Understanding How SLRs Use a Mirror
According to the definition provided, a single-lens reflex camera (SLR) is specifically designed with an internal mirror system. This mirror is a crucial component that allows the photographer to see exactly what the lens sees.
- The Role of the Mirror: The term "reflex" in SLR comes from the mirror's reflection. When you look through the viewfinder of an SLR camera, light travels through the lens, hits an angled mirror inside the camera body, and is then directed upwards to a prism or a series of mirrors. This system flips and redirects the image so you see it correctly oriented in the viewfinder.
- Capturing the Image: Just before the photo is taken, the mirror swings up out of the light path. This allows the light coming through the lens to hit the film (in older cameras) or the digital sensor (in digital SLRs, or DSLRs) located at the back of the camera, capturing the image. After the exposure is complete, the mirror drops back down.
This unique mirror and prism system is what distinguishes SLRs from other types of cameras, such as mirrorless cameras or rangefinders, which use different methods for composing the shot. The ability to view directly through the same lens used for capturing the image provides a highly accurate preview of the final photograph, especially regarding focus and depth of field.
