Parallax

Parallax is an effect in photography where the image seen in the viewfinder is not framed the same as the image seen through the lens, because the viewfinder is in a slightly different position to the lens. This effect is most noticeable with subjects close to the camera, and becomes relatively insignificant at longer distances. All cameras with separate viewfinder and taking lens suffer to some degree from parallax error. Cameras which view the scene through the taking lens, like SLRs, don't have parallax problems. Some cameras with separate viewfinder and lens have some form of parallax correction.

Glossary Terms