What is the real definition of DSLR?

[spacediver]

According to wiki, a DSLR is simply a camera that allows, through the use of an alternating mirror, a direct transmission of light from the scene, through the lens, through the viewfinder, and into the eye.

Yet we often hear about attributes of DSRL that have absolutely nothing to do with this single lens reflex idea.

For example, CCD sensors are often contrasted with DSLR sensors.

Why on earth can't you have a DSLR camera that has a CCD sensor inside of it?

 

[PaulWog]

To the common folk, DSLR just means "one of those larger cameras that you can put lenses on."

 

[Overread14 2]

DSLRs did have CCD sensors - there was a whole CMOS vs. CCD period where it shifted around and basically CMOS won. Fastforward to todays market (only a handful of years) and CMOS is basically the standard for DSLRs.

DSLR is a basically an SLR with a digital setup - so a Digital Single Lens Reflex camera. They've single lenses, they've the whole mirrorbox and flip-up mirror and they are cameras.

Although in the future I suspect DSLRs might well drop the whole mirror assembly in favour of a digital output - although I think we are good few years off that happening.

 

[spacediver]

Although in the future I suspect DSLRs might well drop the whole mirror assembly in favour of a digital output - although I think we are good few years off that happening.

But if they do this, they will no longer be DSLRs, correct?

 

[Overread14 2]

Depends - there are good few "macro" lenses that are not capable of a 1:1 magnification ratio and yet are called macro lenses.

Sometimes a term has an official meaning, but changes in the nature of technology or marketing choices mean that the term starts to mean two different things - a strict "as read" definition and a casual use one. Camera manufacturers would not want to lose decades of marketing that has been pumped into SLR and DSLRs - so it might be that they drop the whole mirrorbox assembly at some point, but they'd likely still keep the DSLR name - DSLR being the term in itself rather than D.S.L.R.
They could drop the R and just call them Digital Single Lens - DSL; although I suspect many would keep calling them DSLRs (indeed many still call them SLRs even though they are using and meaning a digital camera not a film one)

 

[480sparky38 37]

Depends - there are good few "macro" lenses that are not capable of a 1:1 magnification ratio and yet are called macro lenses. ...........

Simply due to the fact that 'macro' has no official definition.

 

[spacediver]

I understand the idea of formal vs marketing term, but what does a DSLR mean in marketing terms? Would it simply refer to a camera that has high quality features in general? (removable lenses, high bit RAW capability, etc.) I assume DSLR is not a brand name.

And what does digital single lens mean?

 

[limr29 2]

Perhaps you should start by learning what an SLR is. Compare it to a rangefinder: SLR vs Rangefinder. There are also twins-lens reflex (TLR) cameras and viewfinder cameras. Understanding the differences between those might help you understand how the DSLR developed and how they are different from, for example, modern digital mirrorless cameras.

 

[snowbear114 45]

Fundamentally, my D40 (DSLR) is really no different than my N90 (SLR) . . . One mirror directs the light to my eye. When I activate the shutter release, the shutter opens and the mirror gets out of the way so the light can got to the sensor (DSLR) or the film (SLR).

One of the first digital cameras was a Nikon F4 film SLR converted to digital. It had a one MP (monochrome) CCD sensor at the film plane. NASA sent it on STS-48 in 1991.

 

[ph0enix]

To me the acronym/term SLR describes a camera with a mirror that allows for changing lenses. DSLR is the same thing except digital.

 

[limr29 2]

To me the acronym/term SLR describes a camera with a mirror that allows for changing lenses. DSLR is the same thing except digital.

???
SLRs are not the only cameras with changeable lenses.

 

[spacediver]

Perhaps you should start by learning what an SLR is.

In my original post, I thought I already articulated this:

According to wiki, a DSLR is simply a camera that allows, through the use of an alternating mirror, a direct transmission of light from the scene, through the lens, through the viewfinder, and into the eye.

What did I miss?

 

[limr29 2]

Perhaps you should start by learning what an SLR is.

In my original post, I thought I already articulated this:

According to wiki, a DSLR is simply a camera that allows, through the use of an alternating mirror, a direct transmission of light from the scene, through the lens, through the viewfinder, and into the eye.

What did I miss?

And do you know how it is different from a rangefinder?

What is your question? You know what an SLR is, and you know (I presume) that DSLR is simply a Digital Single-Lens Reflex camera. The question about the sensors was answered. Is there still something else that confuses you about DSLRs and why they are what they are? If you are, I suggested comparing them to what they are not.

 

[spacediver]

And do you know how it is different from a rangefinder?

I'm don't fully understand the various mechanisms of a rangerfinder, but from what I gather, it refers to a set of other modes of obtaining image focus, rather than looking directly at the scene through the lens.

What is your question? You know what an SLR is, and you know (I presume) that DSLR is simply a Digital Single-Lens Reflex camera. The question about the sensors was answered. Is there still something else that confuses you about DSLRs and why they are what they are? If you are, I suggested comparing them to what they are not.

Yep, I get that the D just means digital. Here's my concern:

In trying to learn about the various types of cameras out there, in order to better understand their operation and perhaps even make a decision on purchase.

I'm trying to understand why DSLR is considered a useful category of classification. Technically, a DSLR could have a crappy sensor, not provide RAW images, not have any ability to adjust exposure, ISO, or aperture, and not allow interchangeable lenses. All it would need to do, to fit this formal definition, is have a single lens reflex mechanism and be digital.

Various responses in this thread have suggested that DSLR in common/marketing speak doesn't really refer to the actual SLR mechanism, but to something else. I"m simply trying to understand what that "something else" is. Does it simply mean "high quality"?

 

[WayneF]

I'm trying to understand why DSLR is considered a useful category of classification. Technically, a DSLR could have a crappy sensor, not provide RAW images, not have any ability to adjust exposure, ISO, or aperture, and not allow interchangeable lenses. All it would need to do, to fit this formal definition, is have a single lens reflex mechanism and be digital.

That is correct, and you even said it, but appear not to grasp it.

SLR is single lens reflex. Reflex means viewfinder is through the lens via a mirror. One formal definition of reflex is a mirrored image, which the viewfinder is. Basically, this required interchangeable lens to have different views (which did not complicate the viewfinder like it did on a rangefinder). There were double lens reflex (mirror in a second lens for viewfinder), and there were rangefinders (no mirror) and view cameras (no mirror) and box cameras (no mirror). Those were not reflex.

A DLSR is just a digital SLR. Sure, it could have crappy sensor, but that is not the definition.