Here's What DSLR Stands For (And Why These Cameras Are Still So Popular)

We've seen how the iPhone's camera has evolved over the years — starting with a single 2-megapixel sensor, to now sporting a triple camera setup capable of capturing wide, ultrawide, and telephoto shots. It's also true that with advancements in image optics and software processing, the smartphone we carry in our pockets is advanced enough to record high-quality videos and grab crisp, detailed images. Yet, there's a decent demand for dedicated digital cameras, like TikTok's favorite Fujifilm X100VI.

Though mirrorless cameras have proven to be a solid option for those looking for a compact yet powerful camera, the market for DSLRs is still alive and well. Some of the best DSLR cameras you can buy range from entry-level shooters like the Nikon D5600 to the Canon 1D-X Mark III, which is a full-frame shooter designed for professionals. 

DSLR cameras are a great starting point if you're relatively new to the world of digital cameras and photography. With tactile buttons, interchangeable lenses, and hot-swappable batteries, a digital camera can offer a better hands-on shooting experience than a smartphone. If you've been considering picking one up, it may be insightful to know how a DSLR camera works — or what it even stands for.

The term "DSLR" has become so synonymous with photography that most just know it as a type of professional camera without giving much thought to what it actually stands for. For those unfamiliar, DSLR is an abbreviation for "Digital Single-Lens Reflex" — a term that actually delves into how DSLR cameras work. Let's try breaking it down for simplification:

• Digital: This refers to the digital image sensor inside DSLR cameras, which explains why older cameras that relied on film were termed "SLR" shooters.
• Single-Lens: A DSLR uses the same lens for both previewing the scene in the viewfinder and capturing the image. Older twin-lens reflex or TLR cameras, on the other hand, used two lenses of the same focal length — one for viewing and the other for capturing.
• Reflex: This points at how the mirror inside a DSLR camera works by reflecting light from the lens up into the optical viewfinder.

When put together, the term "DSLR" itself is enough to explain the science behind how these cameras work. A digital sensor allows for instant image previews and better quality in low-lit environments. The single-lens reflex mechanism eliminates the need to have two separate lenses attached to the same camera — something that caused parallax errors in the older TLR system of cameras. The mirror provides a one-to-one feed of the scene and instantly flips up to direct light to the sensor when you press capture.

The gains in image quality, low-light performance, manual controls, and a variety of lens options are why some may prefer a DSLR camera over a smartphone. As mentioned earlier, the expansive catalog of cameras from manufacturers like Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Pentax means that there is a DSLR camera at nearly every price point. This makes them an ideal product category for beginners, experts, and everyone in between.

A compromise DSLR owners have to make is portability since the built-in mirror mechanism inside these cameras demands a larger and heavier body. This is partly why mirrorless cameras like the Nikon Zf have gained popularity in recent years. The major difference between a DLSR and a mirrorless camera is that the latter typically uses an electronic viewfinder (or just an LCD screen) to provide a real-time digital feed of what the sensor sees. Though an EVF saves a lot of space, it has noticeable drawbacks, including higher power consumption. 

All the tech that goes into a mirrorless camera also adds to the cost, which is why DSLR cameras are still a popular pick. An optical viewfinder also does a better job of providing an unfiltered view of the scene and doesn't suffer from any lag, pixelation, or color-balancing issues. Given how familiar most photographers are with DSLR cameras, they are often a more lucrative buy — especially considering compatibility with lens collections that have been built over several years.