Editing Point-and-shoot camera (section)

== Comparison to SLRs and DSLRs ==
[[File:Rollei35s-minox35ml-front.jpg|thumb|right|Two film point-and-shoot cameras,  [[Rollei 35]] from 1966 and [[Minox#Minox 35 mm compact camera versions|Minox 35ML]] from 1985]]
Point-and-shoot cameras are distinguished from [[single-lens reflex camera]]s (SLRs) in several respects: point-and-shoot film cameras, and many digital ones, use a [[viewfinder]].  The image that the photographer sees is not the same image that passes through the primary lens of the camera.  Rather, the image in the viewfinder passes through a separate lens.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wujimedia.com/2009/11/point-and-shoot-v-dslr-cameras-part-i/
 |title=Point-and-Shoot v. DSLR Cameras – Part I &#124; Welcome to WujiMedia! |access-date=17 November 2009 |url-status=dead
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100117022257/http://www.wujimedia.com/2009/11/point-and-shoot-v-dslr-cameras-part-i/ |archive-date=17 January 2010 }}</ref> SLRs, on the other hand, have only one lens, and a mirror diverts the image from the lens into the viewfinder; that mirror then retracts when the picture is taken so that the image can be recorded on the film or sensor. With this mechanism, pictures cannot be previewed on the LCD screens of most [[digital SLR]]s (DSLRs). Some manufacturers have found a way around this limitation, often by splitting the image into two just before reaching the viewfinder eyepiece.  One image goes into the viewfinder and the other goes into a low resolution image sensor to allow light metering or previewing on the LCD, or both.

Digital cameras share one advantage of the SLR design, as the camera's display image comes through the lens, not a separate viewfinder. [[Mirrorless camera|Mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras]] (MILCs) lack a mirror but in many ways can be used the same as DSLRs. Many smaller digital point-and-shoots of the 2010s omit the viewfinder and use only the screen.

With SLR cameras, it is important that the image in the viewfinder be the same image recorded by the film or sensor, so that the effect of the add-on lenses and [[Photographic filter|filters]] can be seen by the photographer. Point-and-shoot cameras generally don't have such add-on devices, hence no need.  
<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bolat |first1=John |title=Appareil photo enfant |url=http://www.ptits-fauves.com |access-date=22 May 2021}}</ref>
Small cameras, including digital ones, encourage the occurrence of [[Orb (optics)|photographic orbs]]{{snd}} unexpected, typically circular artifacts that occur in [[flash photography]]{{snd}} where the short distance between the lens and the built-in flash decreases the angle of light [[reflection (physics)|reflection]] to the lens.  The resulting [[retroreflection]] makes dust particles bright and visible.<ref name="orb1">{{cite web
  | title = The Truth Behind 'Orbs'  
  | url = http://www.ghostgadgets.com/_knowledge/orbs.html}}</ref>