Difference between revisions of "Camera types"

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There are many types of cameras, in two broad categories, '''film''' and '''digital'''.
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* '''Film cameras:'''
 
 
* '''Film Cameras'''
 
 
** [[point-and-shoot]] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/martintaylor/22827039/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/19/22827039_941d3ed32b_t.jpg]
 
** [[point-and-shoot]] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/martintaylor/22827039/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/19/22827039_941d3ed32b_t.jpg]
 
** [[SLR]] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/martintaylor/45501196/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/33/45501196_7031279e86_t.jpg]
 
** [[SLR]] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/martintaylor/45501196/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/33/45501196_7031279e86_t.jpg]
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** [[subminiature]]
 
** [[subminiature]]
 
** [[view camera]]
 
** [[view camera]]
** [[pinhole camera]]s
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** [[pinhole camera]]
  
 
* '''[[Digital camera|Digital Cameras]]'''
 
* '''[[Digital camera|Digital Cameras]]'''
  
=== Distinguishing Features of Camera Types ===
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There are many types of cameras. Almost all of them can be classified according to the following features:
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* the sensor: nature ([[Digital camera|digital]], [[35mm film]], [[120 film]], [[APS film]], other rollfilm, cut film...) and size (24×36mm, 6×6cm...);
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* the [[viewing system]] (external finder, electronic finder, LCD screen, [[single lens reflex]], [[twin lens reflex]]...);
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* the rigidity of the body (rigid, swivelling lens, telescopic tube, folding, monorail...);
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* the [[focusing system]] (autofocus, rangefinder focusing, manual reflex focusing, guess focusing, ground glass back...);
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* the lens attachment (interchangeable lens, non interchangeable zoom lens, fixed lens);
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* the [[metering system]]: metering sensor and metering modes (programmed, speed-priority, aperture-priority, manual).
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The features that will most determine the aspect of the camera are the '''[[viewing system]]''' and the '''rigidity'''. Once they are known, the general shape of the body is usually quite predictable.
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The '''size of the sensor''' matters for the size of the camera and for the end result, while its '''nature''' has an incidence on the internal construction: a film camera usually needs place for the supply and take up spools, except for the cameras using cut film or plate film.
  
The main distinguishing features between different types of cameras are:
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The '''[[focusing system]]''' and '''[[metering system]]''' will mostly influence how you will use the camera, but has few impact on its shape.
* the shape of the body (rigid, folding, monorail...)
 
* the [[viewing system]] (external finder, SLR, TLR...)
 
* the [[focusing system]] (guess focusing, rangefinder, reflex...)
 
* the lens attachment (fixed, fixed zoom, interchangeable)
 
* the sensor (digital, 35mm film, 120 film, cut film...) and the format (24x36mm, 6x6cm...)
 
  
Unusual combinations of these features have existed, for example folding TLRs, subminiature SLRs and so on.
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Unusual combinations of these features have existed, for example folding TLRs, subminiature SLRs and so on. However not every combination does make sense. For example an subminiature folding autofocus TLR is not theoretically impossible, but unlikely to ever exist.
  
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<!--Here is a table with the most common categories:
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Insert a table with the camera types listed above and the corresponding features. -->
 
<!-- !!! The following sections should be moved to the individual pages above !!!
 
<!-- !!! The following sections should be moved to the individual pages above !!!
  

Revision as of 23:09, 28 August 2006

There are many types of cameras. Almost all of them can be classified according to the following features:

  • the sensor: nature (digital, 35mm film, 120 film, APS film, other rollfilm, cut film...) and size (24×36mm, 6×6cm...);
  • the viewing system (external finder, electronic finder, LCD screen, single lens reflex, twin lens reflex...);
  • the rigidity of the body (rigid, swivelling lens, telescopic tube, folding, monorail...);
  • the focusing system (autofocus, rangefinder focusing, manual reflex focusing, guess focusing, ground glass back...);
  • the lens attachment (interchangeable lens, non interchangeable zoom lens, fixed lens);
  • the metering system: metering sensor and metering modes (programmed, speed-priority, aperture-priority, manual).

The features that will most determine the aspect of the camera are the viewing system and the rigidity. Once they are known, the general shape of the body is usually quite predictable.

The size of the sensor matters for the size of the camera and for the end result, while its nature has an incidence on the internal construction: a film camera usually needs place for the supply and take up spools, except for the cameras using cut film or plate film.

The focusing system and metering system will mostly influence how you will use the camera, but has few impact on its shape.

Unusual combinations of these features have existed, for example folding TLRs, subminiature SLRs and so on. However not every combination does make sense. For example an subminiature folding autofocus TLR is not theoretically impossible, but unlikely to ever exist.