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Home → Cameras and Lenses

What is a DSLR (Digital SLR) Camera?

By Nasim Mansurov 92 Comments
Last Updated On September 22, 2023

DSLR stands for “Digital Single Lens Reflex”. It is a type of camera that uses a mirror to reflect light through a lens to an optical viewfinder.

When the shutter is pressed, the mirror moves out of the way, and the reflected light hits the image sensor to take a picture.

Although single lens reflex cameras have been available in various shapes and forms since the 19th century with film as the recording medium, the first commercial digital SLR with an image sensor appeared in 1991. Compared to point-and-shoot and phone cameras, DSLR cameras use interchangeable lenses.

Nikon D850 Image Samples (22)
This landscape was taken with a DSLR camera. NIKON D850 + 24-120mm f/4 @ 46mm, ISO 64, 1/13, f/8.0

Table of Contents

  • How a DSLR Works
  • Examples of Recent DSLRs
  • Difference Between DSLRs and Mirrorless Cameras
  • Should You Buy a DSLR?
  • Conclusion

How a DSLR Works

Take a look at the following image of an SLR cross section:

DSLR Cross Section
A diagram of how a DSLR works. Source: Wikipedia

When you look through a DSLR viewfinder on the back of the camera, whatever you see is passed through the lens attached to the camera, which means that you could be looking at exactly what you are going to capture.

Light from the scene you are attempting to capture passes through the lens into a reflex mirror (#2) that sits at a 45 degree angle inside the camera chamber, which then forwards the light vertically to an optical element called a “pentaprism” (#7). The pentaprism then converts the vertical light to horizontal by redirecting the light through two separate mirrors, right into the viewfinder (#8).

When you take a picture, the reflex mirror (#2) swings upwards, blocking the vertical pathway and letting the light directly through. Then, the shutter (#3) opens up and the light reaches the image sensor (#4). The shutter (#3) remains open for as long as needed for the image sensor (#4) to record the image, then the shutter (#3) closes and the reflex mirror (#2) drops back to the 45 degree angle to continue redirecting the light into the viewfinder.

Obviously, the process doesn’t stop there. Next, a lot of complicated image processing happens on the camera. The camera processor takes the information from the image sensor, converts it into an appropriate format, then writes it to a memory card. The whole process takes very little time and some professional DSLRs can do this 11+ times in one second!

Examples of Recent DSLRs

Hundreds of DSLRs have been produced over the years, but there are some amazing models that stand out. One of our favourites at Photography Life is the Nikon D850:

Nikon D850
Nikon D850 – A.K.A “The Best”

The D850 can do almost everything with its 45.7MP BSI sensor offering superb dynamic range and detail. Even though it is eclipsed by the D500 and D5/D6 in autofocus performance, the D850 can still hold its own, making it one of the best DSLRs ever made.

In the Canon world, we’ve got the Canon 5D Mark IV. It’s basically the analogue of the D850:

Canon 5D Mark IV
Canon 5D Mark IV

The Canon 5D Mark IV is an outstanding DSLR, and its advanced autofocus system can be used for fast action. And although it’s a DSLR, Canon’s dual-pixel AF technology also makes it quite capable for video, which is something Nikon cannot claim. Some of my favourite shots that I’ve seen have been taken with this camera.

In the Pentax world, we’ve got the K1 Mark II:

Pentax K1 II
The Pentax K1 II DSLR

The Pentax K1 and K1 II were the first full-frame DSLRs released by Pentax. Although they don’t have the same level of autofocus performance as Canon and Nikon DSLRs, they are finely-tuned for landscape, including a built-in astrotracer for milky-way photography.

Difference Between DSLRs and Mirrorless Cameras

Many new cameras these days are mirrorless cameras, which means they lack the essence of the DSLR: the mirror.

The mirror and prism in a DSLR directs light coming from a lens, and allows you to view your scene through an optical viewfinder. Since mirrorless cameras do not have a mirror and prism mechanism, they do not use an optical viewfinder.

Nikon Z7 vs Nikon D850
The Nikon Z7 on the left is a mirrorless camera. On the right is its older DSLR brother, the Nikon D850

Instead, mirrorless cameras display a preview of the scene you are photographing by using the light hitting the digital sensor directly, and thus instead of an optical viewfinder as in DSLRs, mirrorless cameras have electronic viewfinders (EVF).

Most DSLRs allow you to use a ‘Live View’ mode, however. In this mode, the mirror mechanism is permanently raised and the preview image is displayed on the rear view display. Thus, a DSLR can operate much like a mirrorless camera in live view, except that the preview is not through an electronic viewfinder.

Although both DSLRs and mirrorless cameras are excellent for almost every type of photography, here are the main usage differneces between the two:

DSLR AdvantagesMirrorless Advantages
  • Better battery life
  • Optical viewfinder has no delay
  • More used models at a good price
  • In some cases, better at using older lenses
  • Better video features
  • More advanced autofocus in many cases
  • Actively supported by most manufacturers
  • What you see is what you get (WYSIWYG) viewfinder
Bee-eater_Z9_04
This image was taken with one of the top mirrorless cameras. NIKON Z 9 + VR 200-400mm f/4G @ 400mm, ISO 1000, 1/1250, f/6.3 © Libor Vaicenbacher

Should You Buy a DSLR?

Most manufacturers are phasing out DSLRs. Currently, there are some DSLRs available new such as the Canon 1DX III and the Nikon D6. However, both Canon and Nikon are completely focused on developing new mirrorless cameras and it is very unlikely they will ever make a DSLR again.

Nikon D500 DSLR
The Nikon D500 – The Best APS-C DSLR ever made, and still a great option for photographers

Pentax is the one exception. They have no plans to switch to mirrorless and have captured the new DSLR niche, with their most recent camera being the Pentax K3 III, an advanced APS-C DSLR.

Other companies, such as Sony, Panasonic, and Fuji only make mirrorless cameras. So, where do DSLRs stand today?

Due to the high-quality of higher-end DSLRs, cameras like the Nikon D850 will still last a very long time. For most people, such a camera will last around ten years, and so DSLRs are still a very good way to take amazing photographs.

Landscape Photo Taken with Canon 80D
Another shot taken with a DSLR. Canon EOS 80D + EF-S18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM @ 21mm, ISO 100, 1/250, f/9.0 © Spencer Cox

Because of this, I still recommend DSLRs to new photographers, especially if price is a concern. Just to take one example, a lightly-used D500 can be had for about $1000, and there is simply no mirrorless camera that can even come close to the autofocus of the D500 for this price. If you are interested in DSLRs, I recommend checking out Best DSLRs You Can Buy in 2023.

Conclusion

A DSLR is a digital single-lens reflex camera, which uses a mirror to show you what you’re about to photograph through an optical viewfinder. Although DSLRs are older than mirrorless cameras, they still are amazing photographic machines and are worth considering for your next camera purchase.

Do you still use a DSLR? Let me know in the comments!

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Filed Under: Cameras and Lenses Tagged With: DSLR Camera, Photography Tips, Tips for Beginners

About Nasim Mansurov

Nasim Mansurov is the author and founder of Photography Life, based out of Denver, Colorado. He is recognized as one of the leading educators in the photography industry, conducting workshops, producing educational videos and frequently writing content for Photography Life. You can follow him on Instagram and Facebook. Read more about Nasim here.

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Lonnie Hacker
Lonnie Hacker
September 30, 2023 5:20 pm

I’m great full to have your learning tools Nasim. I would like to Thank you. I’m going to be studying your information, and I posted in my note’s to help me. I hope to photocopy some information like shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. After the 15th of October I’ll send my new to me camera and the lens from the states to Honduras. My new hobby. Thank you again for all the wonderful work you put into this valuable resource.

0
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Kim
Kim
May 22, 2022 12:34 pm

Very helpful. Thanks!

1
Reply
Sean B
Sean B
December 21, 2020 7:49 am

This really help for my class that im doing!

0
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Raghu
Raghu
December 11, 2020 6:28 pm

Simple and neat to explaining how DSLR works !! Excellent work.

1
Reply
Wendy
Wendy
December 23, 2017 11:37 am

Hello,
Love your site
Just got myself a cabin EOS rebel SL2 after thinking about getting a “real” cámara for almost 9 years.
I am a total beginner anfd looking forward to learning from you.
– Wendy

2
Reply
Binay Kumar Yadav
Binay Kumar Yadav
December 21, 2017 3:57 pm

Hi sir,
I am following your site since a week and I am loving it. Sir I wanted to buy Canon 80d with lens 18-135mm so can please brief me how it would or can I get any recommendation from you.
Thank you!

2
Reply
Mohiuddin
Mohiuddin
December 16, 2017 11:05 pm

Thanks for the simplified article, for news users like me

3
Reply
Ardas Sandhu
Ardas Sandhu
May 18, 2017 8:22 am

This content has helped me so much for my finals. Thank you! :)
I am somewhat leaning towards photography, it fascinates me, any words of advice on what or who should i pursue?
I don’t have any point of reference, if you would be so kind to shed some light it would be very kind of you.

3
Reply
Vaishu
Vaishu
February 1, 2017 2:52 am

Hi Nasim

I typed” want to know about DSLR” :) in google and read a bit about it and now here in your blog. I had no clue of DSLR’s attractions. My boy friend has been talking about it and I want to surprise him by getting one. From reading all the above posts from many and your responses I picked the below for my Boy friend.

Nikon D90 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Black) with AF-S 18-105mm VR Lens and AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G Twin Lens 4GB Card + 70-300mm VR Lens.

Could you please advise if I made the right choice and would he be happy with this choice? I don’t want him to be upset that I spent so much but ended up picking something that he did not like so much :) Your advice will be of great help. Thank you.

2
Reply
Girish
Girish
December 28, 2016 9:50 am

Hi Sir
i am a middile range photograper i am using still my canon D600 now thinking to upgrade my camera therefore kindly help me to find out a good camera. there is two cameras in my mind 1Canon 80D or Nikon D7200 which camera you can suggest me or more
waiting for your valuable comment

1
Reply

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