Digital single-lens reflex camera

A digital camera that uses a movable mirror to direct light from an interchangeable lens into an optical viewfinder. When the shutter fires, the mirror lifts so light reaches the image sensor.

Reflex camera: A camera that uses a mirror or prism system to show through the taking lens before exposure. The DSLR is the digital form of this mirror-based camera design.
Interchangeable-lens camera: A camera system that allows lenses to be removed and replaced. A DSLR’s lens mount lets photographers choose different lenses for different scenes.
Mirrorless camera: A digital interchangeable-lens camera that forms its view without a reflex mirror and optical viewfinder. It removes the mirror mechanism that defines a DSLR’s optical viewing path.
Portrait photography: Photography that represents people, often emphasizing their appearance, expression, or personality. DSLR lens choices and shallow depth of field support controlled portraits.
Pentaprism: A five-sided optical prism that redirects light while keeping the viewed image correctly oriented. It turns the focusing-screen image toward the DSLR viewfinder eyepiece.
Camera obscura: An optical device that projects an image of its surroundings through a small opening or lens. The DSLR retains the basic principle of forming an image with light through a lens.
Electronic viewfinder: A small display that presents a live electronic image for composing a photograph. It shows a sensor-derived preview instead of the DSLR’s direct optical view.
Macro photography: Close-up photography that records small subjects at high magnification. DSLRs can use dedicated macro lenses and viewfinder-based focusing techniques.
Focal-plane shutter: A shutter positioned near a camera’s image plane that controls how long light reaches film or a sensor. It exposes the sensor after the DSLR mirror swings out of the light path.
Aperture: The adjustable opening in a lens that controls how much light passes through it. Its setting affects exposure and depth of field in DSLR photographs.

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