Editing Camera (section)

== Primary types ==
=== Single-lens reflex (SLR) camera ===
{{Main|Single-lens reflex camera}}
{{See|Instant return mirror}}[[File:Nikon D200 front (aka).jpg|thumb|Nikon D200 digital camera]]In photography, the single-lens reflex camera (SLR) is provided with a mirror to redirect light from the lens to the viewfinder prior to releasing the shutter for composing and focusing an image. When the shutter is released, the mirror swings up and away, allowing the exposure of the [[Photography|photographic medium]], and instantly returns after the exposure is finished. No SLR camera before 1954 had this feature, although the mirror on some early SLR cameras was entirely operated by the force exerted on the shutter release and only returned when the finger pressure was released.<ref>{{cite book |title=A History of the 35&nbsp;mm Still Camera |author=Roger Hicks |publisher=Focal Press, London & Boston |year=1984 |isbn=978-0-240-51233-4 |page=137}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Register of 35&nbsp;mm SLR cameras |author=Rudolph Lea |publisher=Wittig Books, Hückelhoven |year=1993 |isbn=978-3-88984-130-8 |page=23}}</ref> The [[Asahiflex IIB|Asahiflex II]], released by Japanese company [[Pentax|Asahi (Pentax)]] in 1954, was the world's first SLR camera with an instant return mirror.<ref>Michael R. Peres (2013), [https://books.google.com/books?id=NMJxyAwGvKcC&pg=PA779 ''The Focal Encyclopedia of Photography'', p. 779], [[Taylor & Francis]]</ref>

In the single-lens reflex camera, the photographer sees the scene through the camera lens. This avoids the problem of [[parallax]] which occurs when the viewfinder or viewing lens is separated from the taking lens. Single-lens reflex cameras have been made in several formats including sheet film 5x7" and 4x5", roll film 220/120 taking 8,10, 12, or 16 photographs on a 120 roll, and twice that number of a 220 film. These correspond to 6x9, 6x7, 6x6, and 6x4.5 respectively (all dimensions in cm). Notable manufacturers of large format and roll film SLR cameras include [[Bronica]], [[Graflex]], [[Hasselblad]], [[Seagull Camera|Seagull]], [[Mamiya]] and [[Pentax]]. However, the most common format of SLR cameras has been 35&nbsp;mm and subsequently the migration to [[digital SLR]] cameras, using almost identical sized bodies and sometimes using the same lens systems.

Almost all SLR cameras use a front-surfaced mirror in the optical path to direct the light from the lens via a viewing screen and [[pentaprism]] to the eyepiece. At the time of exposure, the mirror is flipped up out of the light path before the shutter opens. Some early cameras experimented with other methods of providing through-the-lens viewing, including the use of a semi-transparent [[Pellicle mirror|pellicle]] as in the [[Canon Pellix]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/canon/fdresources/pellix/ |title=Canon Pellix Camera |work=Photography in Malaysia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016173448/http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/canon/fdresources/pellix/ |archive-date=16 October 2013}}</ref> and others with a small periscope such as in the [[Corfield Periflex]] series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historywebsite.co.uk/Museum/CorfieldCameras/page3.htm |title=Corfield Cameras – The Periflex Era |last=Parker |first=Bev |publisher=Wolverhampton Museum of Industry |access-date=22 October 2013 |archive-date=22 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022184328/http://www.historywebsite.co.uk/Museum/CorfieldCameras/page3.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Large-format camera ===
{{Main|View camera}}

The large-format camera, taking sheet film, is a direct successor of the early plate cameras and remained in use for high-quality photography and technical, architectural, and industrial photography. There are three common types: the view camera, with its [[Monorail camera|monorail]] and [[field camera]] variants, and the [[press camera]]. They have extensible bellows with the lens and shutter mounted on a lens plate at the front. Backs taking [[roll film]] and later [[digital back]]s are available in addition to the standard dark slide back. These cameras have a wide range of movements allowing very close control of focus and perspective. Composition and focusing are done on view cameras by viewing a [[ground-glass]] screen which is replaced by the film to make the exposure; they are suitable for static subjects only and are slow to use.

==== Plate camera ====
[[File:Studijskifotoaparat.JPG|thumb|19th-century studio camera with bellows for focusing]]
{{see also|Photographic plate}}
The earliest cameras produced in significant numbers were ''plate cameras'', using sensitized glass plates. Light entered a lens mounted on a lens board which was separated from the plate by extendible bellows. There were simple box cameras for glass plates but also single-lens reflex cameras with interchangeable lenses and even for color photography ([[Autochrome Lumière]]). Many of these cameras had controls to raise, lower, and tilt the lens forwards or backward to control perspective.

Focusing of these plate cameras was by the use of a ground glass screen at the point of focus. Because [[Photographic lens design|lens design]] only allowed rather small aperture lenses, the image on the ground glass screen was faint and most [[photographer]]s had a dark cloth to cover their heads to allow focusing and composition to be carried out more quickly. When focus and composition were satisfactory, the ground glass screen was removed, and a sensitized plate was put in its place protected by a [[dark slide (photography)|dark slide]]. To make the exposure, the dark decline was carefully slid out and the shutter opened, and then closed and the dark fall replaced.

Glass plates were later replaced by sheet film in a dark slide for sheet film; adapter sleeves were made to allow sheet film to be used in plate holders. In addition to the ground glass, a simple optical viewfinder was often fitted.

=== Medium-format camera ===
{{see also|Medium format}}
[[File:Hasselblad 503.JPG|thumb|left|[[Hasselblad]] medium format camera]]
Medium-format cameras have a film size between the large-format cameras and smaller 35&nbsp;mm cameras.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Wildi|first=Ernst|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/499049825|title=The medium format advantage|date=2001|publisher=Focal Press|isbn=978-1-4294-8344-5|edition=2nd |location=Boston|oclc=499049825}}</ref> Typically these systems use 120 or 220 roll film.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/706802878|title=The manual of photography.|date=2011|publisher=Elsevier/Focal Press|others=Elizabeth Allen, Sophie Triantaphillidou|isbn=978-0-240-52037-7|edition=10th|location=Oxford|oclc=706802878}}</ref> The most common image sizes are 6×4.5&nbsp;cm, 6×6&nbsp;cm and 6×7&nbsp;cm; the older 6×9&nbsp;cm is rarely used. The designs of this kind of camera show greater variation than their larger brethren, ranging from monorail systems through the classic [[Hasselblad]] model with separate backs, to smaller rangefinder cameras. There are even compact amateur cameras available in this format.
{{-}}
==== Twin-lens reflex camera ====
{{Main|Twin-lens reflex camera}}

[[File:Rolleiflex camera.jpg|thumb|upright|Twin-lens reflex camera]]

Twin-lens reflex cameras used a pair of nearly identical lenses: one to form the image and one as a viewfinder.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Burrows |first1=Paul |title=The rise and fall of the TLR: why the twin-lens reflex camera is a real classic |url=https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/features/the-rise-and-fall-of-tlr-cameras-why-the-twin-lens-reflex-is-a-real-classic |website=Digital Camera World |date=13 September 2021 |publisher=Future US Inc |access-date=27 December 2021 |archive-date=27 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227061142/https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/features/the-rise-and-fall-of-tlr-cameras-why-the-twin-lens-reflex-is-a-real-classic |url-status=live }}</ref> The lenses were arranged with the viewing lens immediately above the taking lens. The viewing lens projects an image onto a viewing screen which can be seen from above. Some manufacturers such as Mamiya also provided a reflex head to attach to the viewing screen to allow the camera to be held to the eye when in use. The advantage of a TLR was that it could be easily focused using the viewing screen and that under most circumstances the view seen on the viewing screen was identical to that recorded on film. At close distances, however, parallax errors were encountered, and some cameras also included an indicator to show what part of the composition would be excluded.

Some TLRs had interchangeable lenses, but as these had to be paired lenses, they were relatively heavy and did not provide the range of focal lengths that the SLR could support. Most TLRs used 120 or 220 films; some used the smaller 127 films.
{{-}}

=== Compact cameras ===
==== Instant camera ====
{{Main|Instant camera}}
[[File:Polaroid 636 Close Up instant camera.jpg|thumb|Instant Camera]]
After exposure, every photograph is taken through pinch rollers inside the instant camera. Thereby the developer paste contained in the paper 'sandwich' is distributed on the image. After a minute, the cover sheet just needs to be removed and one gets a single original positive image with a fixed format. With some systems, it was also possible to create an instant image negative, from which then could be made copies in the photo lab. The ultimate development was the SX-70 system of [[Polaroid Corporation|Polaroid]], in which a row of ten shots – engine driven – could be made without having to remove any cover sheets from the picture. There were instant cameras for a variety of formats, as well as adapters for instant film use in medium- and large-format cameras.

==== Subminiature camera ====
{{Main|Subminiature camera}}[[File:2016 Minox C 8.jpg|thumb|Subminiature spy camera]]

Subminiature cameras were first produced in the twentieth century and use film significantly smaller than 35mm. The expensive 8×11mm [[Minox]], the only type of camera produced by the company from 1937 to 1976, became very widely known and was often used for espionage (the Minox company later also produced larger cameras). Later inexpensive subminiatures were made for general use, some using rewound 16&nbsp;mm cine film. Image quality with these small film sizes was limited.

==== Folding camera ====
{{Main|Folding camera}}
[[File:Voigtländer Bessa 66-1.JPG|thumb|left|Folding camera]]
The introduction of films enabled the existing designs for plate cameras to be made much smaller and for the baseplate to be hinged so that it could be folded up, compressing the bellows. These designs were very compact and small models were dubbed ''vest pocket'' cameras. One of the smallest and best-selling cameras was the [[Vest Pocket Kodak]], sold in two generations between 1912 and 1934. Folding roll film cameras were preceded by folding plate cameras, more compact than other designs.
{{-}}

==== Box camera ====
{{Main|Box camera}}

[[File:No. 2C Brownie Camera, Model A - 1.JPG|thumb|upright|Kodak box camera]]

Box cameras were introduced as budget-level cameras and had few if any controls. The original box Brownie models had a small reflex viewfinder mounted on the top of the camera and had no aperture or focusing controls and just a simple shutter. Later models such as the Brownie 127 had larger direct view optical viewfinders together with a curved film path to reduce the impact of deficiencies in the lens.

=== Rangefinder camera ===
{{Main|Rangefinder camera}}

[[File:Leica IIIa Rangefinder.jpg|thumb|left|Rangefinder camera, [[Leica camera|Leica]] c. 1936]]

As camera lens technology developed and wide aperture lenses became more common, [[rangefinder camera]]s were introduced to make focusing more precise. Early rangefinders had two separate viewfinder windows, one of which is linked to the focusing mechanisms and moved right or left as the focusing ring is turned. The two separate images are brought together on a ground glass viewing screen. When vertical lines in the object being photographed meet exactly in the combined image, the object is in focus. A normal composition viewfinder is also provided. Later the viewfinder and rangefinder were combined. Many rangefinder cameras had [[interchangeable lens]]es, each lens requiring its range- and viewfinder linkages.

Rangefinder cameras were produced in [[Half-frame|half-]] and full-frame 35&nbsp;mm and roll film (medium format).
{{-}}

=== Motion picture cameras ===
{{Main|Movie camera}}
{{See|Digital movie camera}}

A [[movie camera]] or a [[video camera]] operates similarly to a still camera, except it records a series of static images in rapid succession, commonly at a [[frame rate|rate]] of 24 frames per second. When the images are combined and displayed in order, the illusion of motion is achieved.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/filmmakershandbo00asch_0 |title=The Filmmaker's Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide for the Digital Age |last1=Ascher |first1=Steven |last2=Pincus |first2=Edward |publisher=Penguin Group |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-452-28678-8 |edition=3 |location=New York |url-access=registration}}</ref>{{Rp|4}}

Cameras that capture many images in sequence are known as movie cameras or as cine cameras in Europe; those designed for single images are still cameras. However, these categories overlap as still cameras are often used to capture moving images in [[special effect]]s work and many modern cameras can quickly switch between still and motion recording modes.

A ciné camera or movie camera takes a rapid sequence of photographs on an image sensor or strips of film. In contrast to a still camera, which captures a single snapshot at a time, the ciné camera takes a series of images, each called a ''frame'', through the use of an intermittent mechanism.

The frames are later played back in a ciné projector at a specific speed, called the ''frame rate'' (number of frames per second). While viewing, a person's visual system [[persistence of vision|merges the separate pictures]] to create the illusion of motion. The first ciné camera was built around 1888 and by 1890 several types were being manufactured. The standard film size for ciné cameras was quickly established as [[35mm movie film|35mm film]] and this remained in use until the transition to digital cinematography. Other professional standard formats include [[70 mm film]] and 16&nbsp;mm film whilst amateur filmmakers used 9.5&nbsp;mm film, 8&nbsp;mm film, or Standard 8 and Super 8 before the move into digital format.

The size and complexity of ciné cameras vary greatly depending on the uses required of the camera. Some professional equipment is very large and too heavy to be handheld whilst some amateur cameras were designed to be very small and light for single-handed operation.

==== Professional video camera ====
[[File:Arri Alexa camera.jpg|thumb|[[Arri Alexa]], a digital movie camera]]
{{Main|Professional video camera}}
{{See|Video camera}}

A [[professional video camera]] (often called a ''television camera'' even though the use has spread beyond television) is a high-end device for creating electronic moving images (as opposed to a movie camera, that earlier recorded the images on [[filmstock|film]]). Originally developed for use in television studios, they are now also used for music videos, [[direct-to-video]] movies, corporate and educational videos, marriage videos, etc.

These cameras earlier used [[Video camera tube|vacuum tubes]] and later electronic [[image sensors]].

==== Camcorders ====
[[File:Sony Handycam HDV digital camcorder HDR-HC1E.jpg|thumb|alt=A Sony HDV Camcorder|Sony HDR-HC1E, a [[HDV]] camcorder.]]
{{Main|Camcorder}}

A camcorder is an electronic device combining a video camera and a video recorder. Although marketing materials may use the colloquial term "camcorder", the name on the package and manual is often "video camera recorder". Most devices capable of recording video are camera phones and digital cameras primarily intended for still pictures; the term "camcorder" is used to describe a portable, self-contained device, with video capture and recording its primary function.

=== Digital camera ===

{{Main|Digital camera}}
[[File:Disassembled_digital_camera.jpg|thumb|right|295x295px|Disassembled digital camera]]
{{see|Digital image|Digital imaging|Digital photography|Digital single-lens reflex camera|Digital video}}

A digital camera (or digicam) is a camera that encodes [[digital image]]s and videos and stores them for later reproduction.<ref>Farlex Inc: [http://www.thefreedictionary.com/digital+camera definition of digital camera at the Free Dictionary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209090615/http://www.thefreedictionary.com/digital+camera |date=9 December 2014 }}; retrieved 7 September 2013</ref> They typically use semiconductor image sensors.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Williams |first1=J. B. |title=The Electronics Revolution: Inventing the Future |date=2017 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-3-319-49088-5 |pages=245–8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v4QlDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA245 |access-date=26 November 2019 |archive-date=10 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110042937/https://books.google.com/books?id=v4QlDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA245#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> Most cameras sold today are digital,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/11/AR2006011102323.html |title=Nikon Says It's Leaving Film-Camera Business |access-date=23 February 2007 |date=12 January 2006 |newspaper=Washington Post |first=Mike |last=Musgrove |archive-date=13 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013030825/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/11/AR2006011102323.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and they are incorporated into many devices ranging from mobile phones (called [[camera phone]]s) to vehicles.

Digital and film cameras share an optical system, typically using a lens of variable aperture to focus light onto an image pickup device.<ref>MakeUseOf: [http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/technology-explained-how-does-a-digital-camera-work/ How does a Digital Camera Work] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204021814/http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/technology-explained-how-does-a-digital-camera-work/ |date=4 December 2017 }}; retrieved 7 September 2013</ref> The aperture and shutter admit the correct amount of light to the imager, just as with film but the image pickup device is electronic rather than chemical. However, unlike film cameras, digital cameras can display images on a screen immediately after being captured or recorded, and store and delete images from [[Flash memory|memory]]. Most digital cameras can also record moving videos with [[Sound recording and reproduction|sound]]. Some digital cameras can [[Cropping (image)|crop]] and [[Image stitching|stitch]] pictures & perform other elementary [[image editing]].

Consumers adopted digital cameras in the 1990s. Professional video cameras transitioned to digital around the 2000s–2010s. Finally, movie cameras transitioned to digital in the 2010s.

The first camera using digital electronics to capture and store images was developed by Kodak engineer [[Steven Sasson]] in 1975. He used a charge-coupled device (CCD) provided by [[Fairchild Semiconductor]], which provided only 0.01 megapixels to capture images. Sasson combined the CCD device with movie camera parts to create a digital camera that saved black and white images onto a [[Compact cassette|cassette tape]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gustavson |first1=Todd |title=500 Cameras: 170 Years of Photographic Innovation |publisher=Sterling Publishing, Inc |date=1 November 2011 |location=Toronto, Ontario |isbn=978-1-4027-8086-8}}</ref>{{Rp|442}}The images were then read from the cassette and viewed on a TV monitor.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hitchcock |first1=Susan |title=National Geographic complete photography |date=20 September 2011 |publisher=National Geographic Society |isbn=978-1-4351-3968-8 |editor=Hitchcock |editor-first=Susan Tyler |location=Washington, D.C.}}</ref>{{Rp|225}} Later, cassette tapes were replaced by flash memory.

In 1986, Japanese company [[Nikon]] introduced an analog-recording electronic single-lens reflex camera, the Nikon SVC.<ref>[http://apphotnum.free.fr/N2BE2.html Nikon SLR-type digital cameras] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809172701/http://apphotnum.free.fr/N2BE2.html |date=9 August 2011 }}, Pierre Jarleton</ref>
[[File:Sony A1 - front view - by Henry Söderlund Freigestellt.png|thumb|right|[[Sony Alpha 1]], a [[135 film|full-frame]] [[mirrorless camera|mirrorless]] digital camera]]
The first [[full-frame digital SLR]] cameras were developed in Japan from around 2000 to 2002: the MZ-D by Pentax,<ref>[https://www.dpreview.com/opinion/4721880615/the-long-difficult-road-to-pentax-full-frame The long, difficult road to Pentax full-frame The long, difficult road to Pentax full-frame] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704073828/https://www.dpreview.com/opinion/4721880615/the-long-difficult-road-to-pentax-full-frame |date=4 July 2017 }}, [[Digital Photography Review]]</ref> the [[Contax N Digital|N Digital]] by [[Contax]]'s Japanese R6D team,<ref>''[[British Journal of Photography]]'', [https://books.google.com/books?id=uk9WAAAAMAAJ Issues 7410-7422], 2003, p. 2</ref> and the [[Canon EOS-1Ds|EOS-1Ds]] by [[Canon Inc.|Canon]].<ref>[https://www.dpreview.com/articles/7466980622/canoneos1ds Canon EOS-1Ds, 11 megapixel full-frame CMOS] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126075558/https://www.dpreview.com/articles/7466980622/canoneos1ds |date=26 January 2021 }}, [[Digital Photography Review]]</ref> Gradually in the 2000s, the full-frame DSLR became the dominant camera type for professional photography.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}}

On most digital cameras a display, often a [[liquid crystal display]] (LCD), permits the user to view the scene to be recorded and settings such as [[Film speed|ISO speed]], exposure, and shutter speed.<ref name="Upton" />{{Rp|6–7}}<ref>{{cite book |title=National Geographic photography field guide |last1=Burian |first1=Peter |last2=Caputo |first2=Robert |publisher=National Geographic Society |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-7922-5676-2 |edition=2 |location=Washington, D.C.}}</ref>{{Rp|12}}

==== Camera phone ====
[[File:Phone photography.jpg|thumb|Smartphone with built-in camera]]
{{Main|Camera phone}}
{{See|Front-facing camera|Selfie}}

In 2000, [[Sharp Corporation|Sharp]] introduced the world's first digital camera phone, the [[J-SH04]] [[J-Phone]], in Japan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hoista.net/post/18437919296/evolution-of-the-cameraphone-from-sharp-j-sh04-to |title=Evolution of the Camera phone: From Sharp J-SH04 to Nokia 808 Pureview |date=28 February 2012 |publisher=Hoista.net |access-date=21 June 2013 |archive-date=31 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130731053246/http://www.hoista.net/post/18437919296/evolution-of-the-cameraphone-from-sharp-j-sh04-to |url-status=live }}</ref> By the mid-2000s, higher-end [[cell phones]] had an integrated digital camera, and by the beginning of the 2010s, almost all [[smartphone]]s had an integrated digital camera.