Digital cameras come in many shapes and sizes:
- Compact Cameras: small; light; usually integrated single lens; digital display to compose and play back photos; may or may not have viewfinder
- Mid range cameras: a little larger in both size and weight; may have interchangeable lens, or fixed lens with considerable zoom range, may include many features usually available on DSLR cameras
- DSLR Cameras [Digital Single Lens Reflex]: The feature of a DSLR camera is that the light path from the viewfinder uses the lens system of the camera so you can be sure that what you see through the viewfinder is what will be directed to the sensor at the point of capture. It does this by repositioning a mirror to redirect the light to the sensor when you operate the shutter button. DSLR cameras usually have numerous features to capture and process the image and usually have interchangeable lenses which enable photography under a wide range of environments.
- Mirrorless Cameras: A new generation of digital cameras are emerging which can do everything a DSLR can do but does not use a mirror. They are in effect cameras which can take interchangeable lenses, often compatible with DSLR lenses, the main difference is that they either don’t provide a viewfinder, or they create a small electronic image which is viewed through an electronic viewfinder