SLR and SLR like cameras

Hi,
I am a newcomer to photography.Just tell me the difference between a
SLR and SLR like camera.For example Canon EOS 350D is an (D)SLR and
Fuji S5500 is called an 'SLR like' camera..By single lens reflex I
suppose that what you see through the view finder is what you are going
to get as the image.i.e front end optics for both the viewfinder and
image capturing mechanism are same.

Both of these cameras satisfies my definition.But only one is qualified
as an SLR why ??

 

(I already answered your question in rec.photo.digital.slr-systems)

Current usage may include the term ZLR (zoom lens reflex) to describe
SLR-like cameras (although I don't particularly care for the term myself).
These cameras tend to have the same shape as an SLR, and have the manual
controls which are lacking in the simple point-and-shoot flat bodied
cameras. There is a newsgroup devoted to such ZLR cameras here:

rec.photo.digital.zlr

Some people demand that on an SLR, the reflex part must be achieved with
mirrors, whereas on the ZLR the reflex is electronic. This does limit the
quality of the reflex finder, and may prevent highly accurate viewing such
as depth-of-field preview or manual focus. For the slr-systems group,
interchangeable lenses and complete systems of add-ons distinguish the SLR
from the ZLR.

David

 

SLR=Single Lens Reflex - By "Single Lens" it means that the same lens that
forms the recorded image, is also used to create the viewfinder image. What
you see in the viewfinder is pretty much what will be recorded. The
alternative are various rangefinder and twin lens cameras that have a
separate viewfinder with it's own lens - in this case you get parallax
variations between the viewfinder image and recorded image, and you also
don't get preview of focus accuracy or of effects of filters.

The other part of SLR is "Reflex". The reflex is the combination of
prisms/mirrors used to give a non-inverted image in the viewfinder.

The canon fully fits this definition in that it has a single lens, and a
combination of prisms/mirrors to give a non-inverted image in the
viewfinder.

The S5500 has a single lens, however the viewfinder image is an electronic
image, not the true image formed by the lens, it is therefore not a "reflex"
camera. (Thus making the other term for these cameras, ZLR or zoom lens
reflex, also incorrect.)

Traditionally, SLR cameras also have interchangeable lenses, however this
has no bearing on whether or not a camera is an SLR - there have been a few
SLR's made that don't have interchangeable lenses, and there are also many
camera designs with interchangeable lenses that aren't SLR's (rare amongst
digitals, but quite common in film cameras). Because most SLR's have
interchangeable lenses, most people think of SLR's as having interchangeable
lenses. As a result even if the S5500 created it's viewfinder image with
prisms/mirrors most people still wouldn't consider it as an SLR, even though
technically it would be.

 

Hi.

A Digital SLR uses exactly the same optical system as a Film SLR, except
that Film is replaced with a Sensor That is why only they qualify for the
title.

The SLR like Cameras, also called ZLR, Hybrid, EVF. use an LCD screen inside
the viewfinder. They do not have interchangeable lenses, and AFAIK do not
have actual shutters.

Depending on the quality, and cost, that EVF can be quite slow, and moving
subjects can seem to move jerkily. It can also seem to have a fairly coarse
texture, and sometimes over enhanced colours, be over contrasty, or low
contrast. Manual focussing can be difficult or impossible.

They do have advantages, no moving parts mean they can operate completely
silently. They can have a very much bigger Zoom range than SLRs. (Not
because of the VF, but because they also tend to have smaller sensors). You
can usually read the Menus, and see the previews, in the VF, which is quite
a benefit in bright sunlight.

Roy G

 

Hi David,

You're not the same David J Taylor that frequents certain
Borland groups, are you?

-Mike

 

This is a keeper! Good explanation, and nicely worded. Should there ever
be a FAQ here, this should be part of it. I hope you'll repost as needed!

 

Check this article--closest thing to a FAQ that I can find:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/2dig.htm

 

A big plus for having the menus and other data viewable in the
eye-level viewfinder is that all this information is placed at apparent
infinity. Those of us with "older" eyes have trouble reading the text
on a back-panel LCD. This one feature makes my Canon S1-IS worth the
price I paid, and now that I'm familiar with the button arrangement I
can set all the functions and variables without taking the camera down
from my face.

Martin

 

Once is an SLR and the other is marketing BS designed to scam people.

 

It is not a direct image formed by the lens since it is not reflex, but
it is formed by the taking lens.