Editing Camera (section)

{{short description|Optical device for recording images}}
{{other uses}}
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{{Use American English|date=January 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
[[File:LEI0440 Leica IIIf chrom - Sn. 580566 1951-52-M39 Blitzsynchron front view-6531 hf-.jpg|300px|thumb|right|[[Leica Camera|Leica]] camera (1950s)]]
[[File:Hasselblad 500 CM.jpg|300px|thumb|right|[[Hasselblad]] 500 C/M with [[Carl Zeiss AG|Zeiss]] lens]]
A '''camera''' is an instrument used to capture and store images and videos, either digitally via an electronic [[image sensor]], or chemically via a light-sensitive material such as [[photographic film]]. As a pivotal technology in the fields of photography and videography, cameras have played a significant role in the progression of visual arts, media, entertainment, surveillance, and scientific research. The invention of the camera dates back to the 19th century and has since evolved with advancements in technology, leading to a vast array of types and models in the 21st century.

Cameras function through a combination of multiple mechanical components and principles. These include exposure control, which regulates the amount of light reaching the sensor or film; the lens, which focuses the light; the viewfinder, which allows the user to preview the scene; and the film or sensor, which captures the image.

Several types of camera exist, each suited to specific uses and offering unique capabilities. [[Single-lens reflex camera|Single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras]] provide real-time, exact imaging through the lens. [[Large format|Large-format]] and [[Medium format|medium-format]] cameras offer higher image resolution and are often used in professional and artistic photography. Compact cameras, known for their portability and simplicity, are popular in consumer photography. [[Rangefinder camera|Rangefinder cameras]], with separate viewing and imaging systems, were historically widely used in [[photojournalism]]. [[Movie camera|Motion picture cameras]] are specialized for filming cinematic content, while [[Digital camera|digital cameras]], which became prevalent in the late 20th and early 21st century, use electronic sensors to capture and store images.

The rapid development of [[Camera phone|smartphone camera]] technology in the 21st century has blurred the lines between dedicated cameras and multifunctional devices, as the smartphone camera is easier to use, profoundly influencing how society creates, shares, and consumes visual content.{{toclimit|3}}