DSLR Full Form Name: DSLR Meaning
Full Form of DSLR:
Digital Single-Lens Reflex
DSLR Full Form is Digital
Single-lens Reflex Camera. DSLR refers to a digital camera in which the
direct light from the lens to viewfinder are done using mirrors. The viewfinder
is the hole or the place where you look into, to take the picture. The basic
difference between other digital cameras and DSLR is that the DSLR camera has
just a single lens for taking the picture and viewing. Whereas; a general
camera has two lenses.
The image quality offered by DSLR
is extremely good despite the light available outside. The main reason for this
is the lens that improves the quality of an image by creating exposure for the
image sensor. DSLR differs from a normal camera in its basic construction and
is quite heavy and looks bulkier than other cameras.
DSLR Full Form – Additional Information
One of the greatest achievements
of technology is giving humans the ability to capture memories to cherish them
later. Earlier, the only place where memories could remain was our brain.
However, as times pass by, our memories become faint and unclear and it becomes
difficult to appreciate to the fullest the value of memories.
You may recall them vaguely but
you can never remember them completely. Like how one looked at that day, how
fun loving people were back then, what happened to someone’s birthday, etc. all
of this could not have been possibly captured when a camera was an impossible
dream. However, humans are known to doing miracles and they had achieved
another miracle when the camera was first invented.
The camera is not merely an
engineered instrument but a gift. People do not anymore cherish the possession
of a camera with them because it is ubiquitous. Everyone knows about it;
everyone possesses it but if you ask our older generation about the value of
cameras during their prime time, they will narrate to you a completely new
experience, something which you might find difficult to accept.
To them, the camera was a
privileged treat that only elite enjoyed. Very few people owned cameras for
personal use while others would occasionally go to photo studios to get one
picture clicked. They would often dress up in fancy or formal attire and sashay
them in front of the big camera. All of this for just one picture.
Time has of course changed and
the value appended to cameras is no longer the same. Humans have been striving
for greater advancements in technology and are producing amazing gadgets every
year to gear up the digital revolution. Now we usually go for mobile phones
with high-resolution cameras or DSLR. As of 2014, the DSLR are the most
commonly used interchangeable lens camera.
DSLR, or properly known as
Digital Single-lens Reflex Camera or Digital SLR, is the now trending digital
camera that functions on the combination of a single lens reflex camera and a
digital imaging sensor. The mechanism it uses is very different from what is
used in a photographic film. This reflex design in these cameras is the key
distinguishing feature.
There are many amazing facts
about DSLR that makes it a much-preferred camera for not only professionals but
also common public. Thus, we shall discuss some of the many aspects of a DSLR
camera, which will enlighten the readers about its mechanics and current
status. Some of the facts about DSLR are as follows:
The Design used in the DSLR cameras
The reflex design scheme is the
key feature in the DSLR design. In such scheme, light travels through the
camera lens, which then travels to a mirror that directs the image to either
the viewfinder or the image sensor. This last process happens alternatively.
The camera uses a single lens by which the viewfinder is able to produce an
image that is not apparently different from what is produced in the image
sensor.
Let us discuss further on its
design. As mentioned earlier, the camera uses an interchangeable lens and has a
lens mount attached. There is a mobile mechanical mirror system that is placed
exactly at the angle of 45 degrees that causes the direction of the light over
a focusing screen by means of a condenser lens and a pentaprism. The light is
directed to an optical viewfinder. The focusing feature of the camera can be
manually or automatically activated.
Some of the additional features
in a DSLR camera are an amplifier, analog to digital converter, image
processor, electronic display, storage functions, etc. Let us shed some light
on DSLR Full Form.
Phase-detection autofocus
This is an eye-catching feature
incorporated in all DSLR cameras that has significantly contributed to the
popularity of the camera. Generally, all DSLR cameras make use of the popular
Phase-detection autofocus feature, which is a method of allowing the adjustment
of an optimal lens according to manual calculation rather than automatic
calculation. It would be different from an autofocus premised upon contrast
maximization. What is advantageous about this kind of autofocus is that it is
quicker than other kinds of autofocus techniques.
Historical facts around the DSLR
We should have discussed it first
but nevertheless, here we are with the most preliminary aspect of DSLR.
Considering the amazing abilities of DSLR, it would be interesting to note down
some of its historical facts that have helped in shaping its present and
future.
Way back in the year 1969, the
world witnessed the invention of the first imaging technology that eventually
paved the way for digital photography. William S. Boyle and George E. Smith
were the inventors of this technology that was termed as Charge Coupled Device
(CCD), It was developed with the help of an image sensor. For the invention of
this technology, the two inventors were awarded prestigious Nobel Prize for
Physics in the year 2009.
The first digital camera was
invented in the year 1975. The camera was invented by a Kodak engineer Steven
Sasson and it was the first still digital camera, which had used a Fairchild
100×100 pixel CCD. Sony, on August 25, 1981, came up with the world’s first
analog electronic camera that used an interchangeable lens and an SLR
viewfinder.
In the year 1987, a breakthrough
addition to the camera technology happened as the Kodak Research Labs came with
an integration of 1.3 MP image sensor and a film SLR camera. The mechanism was
restructured in 1988 and then, the restructured version eventually paved a way
for the world’s first commercial DSLR camera in the year 1991. It was launched
by Kodak.
What followed is known to everyone.
Many companies came up with their own, different versions on DSLR, offering
distinct features and performance promises. Companies like Canon, Fujifilm,
Minolta, Pentax, Olympus, Panasonic, Samsung, Sigma, etc became to be known as
prominent manufacturers of DSLR cameras. The rise in competitors has caused the
immense development of the DSLR technology with a focus on high-speed focus,
touch screen, higher frame rates, etc.
Market share of DSLR cameras
Judging by the rise in popularity
of these cameras, it would reasonable to expect a high market share. Currently,
the DSLR market is majorly controlled by the Japanese manufacturers: Canon,
Nikon, Sony, Pentax, and Olympus. The top five manufacturers of DLSR cameras
are Japanese, followed by other manufacturers such as Mamiya, Sigma, Leica,
Hasselblad, etc.
In a major feat, Canon overtook
Nikon with about 41% global sales as compared to 40% sales of the latter in the
year 2007. Following the competition were Sony and Olympus, with 6% market
share each. However, Canon’s feat did not affect Nikon’s stronghold in the
domestic market, as the latter had recorded 43.3 % sales as compared to the
former’s 39.9% sales.
In the following year, Canon went
on to dominate the global market, with 44.5 % market share, followed by Nikon
with the reduced market share of 29.8 %. Sony stood with 11.9% market share.
Despite the growing popularity,
the sales are relatively low in the previous two-three years. Before 2013, the
global market witnessed double-digit growth but after 2013, the sales have gone
down 15%. Many believe that it is due to the rise of smartphones. Let us shed
some light on DSLR Full Form.
Present day DSLR models
Despite the slowdown in the sales
of DSLR market, these cameras are still popular among professionals and common
public. Since there has been a marked increase in photography, many camera
manufacturers have designed the cameras to meet with photography needs.
Mainstream DLSR cameras are created by mainstream companies Canon, Nikon,
Pentax, and Sigma. These DSLRs are cheaper and are popular among general
masses.
Expensive versions of DSLRs are
produced by companies like Pentax, Phase one, Hasselblad, and Mamiya Leaf.
These companies manufacture high-end medium format cameras and some even
provide detachable sensor backs. Companies like Samsung, Contax, Olympus,
Panasonic, Fujifilm, etc used to produce DSLRs but have switched to other
markets. Some of the popular DSLRs are EOS 5D Mark II, K-3 II, K-S2, K-S1,
Canon EOS 1200/rebel T5, 100D/SL1, etc. many of these versions of DSLRs use
different technologies and therefore, offer distinct features.
Performance of the DSLR cameras as compared to
other digital cameras
There are reasons why DSLR
cameras are preferred over other digital cameras. Some of the biggest
advantages of DSLR are the larger size of an image sensor, production of high
quality of images, and production of lesser noise. Moreover, these cameras are
equipped to provide better responsive facilities by means of reduced shutter
lag, improved autofocus mechanism, and higher frame rates. Unlike other digital
cameras that often do not have an optical viewfinder, causing poor quality of
images, DSLRs are specifically beneficial in many ways.
DSLRs are able to produce
high-quality images of moving situations or objects. These cameras are able to
quickly capture images, unlike other digital cameras. These cameras ensure that
the photographer has full control over the camera’s functions and has the
options to attach accessories to the cameras for better viewing and production.
Some of these additional accessories are flash units, battery grips, light
meters, etc. DSLRs have the capability to provide larger focal length, which
facilitates utmost utilization of the depth of field effects. Overall, the DSLRs
fare better on the performance index than other digital cameras and thus, the
former are a preferred choice. Let us shed more light on Full
Form of DSLR.
The interchangeability of lens as a
distinguishing feature in DSLR
One important feature of DSLRs,
which is also a distinguishing feature at the same time, is the feature of
interchangeability of lens. This feature is usually missing in ordinary cameras
instead they are equipped with a zoom lens that covers the view. The issue with
the non-interchangeable lens is that they have restricted focal length. Many of
the manufacturers have now switched to superzooms to avoid this issue.
For quite a long time,
interchangeability of lens was a feature peculiar to DSLRs however, in the year
2008 the Micro Four Thirds System was introduced by the companies Olympus and
Panasonic that led to the development of mirrorless interchangeable lens
cameras and hence, the peculiar feature of DSLR no longer remained peculiar.
Cameras for the Micro Four Thirds System do have mirror and pentaprism.
The only problem with the
interchangeable lens in any camera, including a DSLR, is that it is susceptible
to dust. Whenever a lens is changed, it is exposed to dust particles that
cannot be removed. Although there are dust reduction systems available
nowadays, these systems do not completely remove the dust particles from the
lens. On the other side, cameras with fixed lens are not generally vulnerable
to dust particles from the outside. Because of the interchangeability feature,
DSLRs cost more and are heavier and larger.
Live Preview in DSLRs
Another brilliant feature one can
find in DSLRs is Live Preview feature. The initial versions of DSLRs could not
produce on the LCD display the image on the optical viewfinder (this ability is
called Live Preview) but latest developments have done away with this problem.
Now DSLRs are able to exhibit Live Preview features.
What is a Live preview? Well, the
Live preview is basically a characteristic that facilitates the use of the
display screen of a digital camera to be used as a viewfinder. This allows
previewing framing and other necessary exposures before the picture is taken.
Live preview is useful in situations where camera’s viewfinder cannot be
utilized, for example, in underwater photography because in this case a plastic
waterproof case covers the camera.
The first DSLR with the feature
of the Live preview was launched by Olympus in the year 2008. The name of the
product was Olympus E-10, which had a fixed lens design. Then, soon after other
companies like Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, and Leica introduced
this feature. Fujifilm manufactured FinePix S5 Pro that allows live preview for
a short span of 30 seconds.
In almost every DSLR with live
preview feature, the Phase Detection Autofocus System does not function when
the camera is in live preview mode. The camera switches to a different but
slower contrast system. Canon came up with a more advanced version of DLSR with
the live preview feature. The company introduced hybrid autofocus technology
that allows pixels to behave as both contrast detection and phase detection.
This addition improves the quality of autofocus detection during live preview
mode. This version was called “Dual Pixel CMOS AF”. Let us shed more light
on Full Form of DSLR.
Dust Reduction Systems in DSLR
In the previous segment relating
to the interchangeability of lens, the issue of dust problems was mentioned. It
was also mentioned that there are certain dust reduction systems developed to
deal with this problem.
There are basically 2 types of
dust particles that greatly affect the quality of the image produced by the
cameras. One kind is called Dust Particles “adhering through electrostatic
charges” and the other kind is known as Dust particles adhering “through intermolecular
force”.
The former kind refers to dust
matters that are very small, in fact, it can be even one micrometer. These
particles are positively charged whereas the image sensor can be negatively
charged, that causes attraction. On the other hand, the latter side refers to
the intermolecular force, though weak, that attracts very small microscopic
sized particles.
Dust reduction method is a
mechanism to prevent dust from entering into the lens area. There is a filter
called “dust cover” that is located at the back of the lens mount. This kind of
dust reduction system was used by the company Sigma in its firs DSLR named the
Sigma SD9 in the year 2002.
Soon after many advanced versions
of dust reduction systems have emerged. Take, for example, the company Olympus
used the built-in mechanism, which acted as sensor mechanism in the first DSLR
it manufactured. The name of the camera model was Olympus E-1 and was launched
in the year 2003.
High Definition (HD) video capture
Many DSLRs are designed to capture
high-definition videos. Such DSLRs are known as HDSLR or DSLR video shooter.
Nikon D90 was the first DSLR with the feature of high definition video capture.
The quality of the video was 720p24.
The HDSLR make use of full image
area to capture high definition videos, but not all pixels produce high
definition quality. The use of larger sensor results in different image
features. The cameras also have the ability to give the superior quality of
low-light performance. However, there are certain shortcomings in HDSLRs as it
falls short of many important features as in standard cam recorders.
Nowadays, DSLR comes up with
better video quality. There is higher video resolution, video bitrate, greater
autofocus, specifications, Blu-ray disc portability, etc. The first cameras to
produce 1080p24 quality video were the Canon EOS 5D Mark II and the Panasonic
Lumix GH1.
As more and more up gradation is
happening, the DSLRs are becoming popular in the field of filmmaking. They are
particularly popular among independent filmmakers. Many films, advertisements,
documentaries have made use of the HDSLRs, which show how much improvements
have been made in the high definition technology in DSLR cameras. Take, for
example, the blockbuster movie The Avengers that used Canon EOS 5D Mark II and
two Canon 7D to capture complex scenes from various angles. Also, the Canon’s
advertisements on Rebel T1i were shot using the Rebel T1i itself.