Are all fixed-lens cameras mirrorless?
Asked 3/14/2016
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I often see interchangeable-lens cameras described as SLR, rangefinder, or mirrorless, but not fixed-lens models such as the Leica Q, Sony RX1, or Fujifilm X100 series. Are fixed-lens cameras always mirrorless, or have some fixed-lens cameras used mirrors/prisms for viewing?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
10y ago
2 Answers
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Are all fixed-lens cameras mirrorless?
No. At least Olympus E-10 is DSLR (the mirror does not flip though, it is somewhat similar to SLT). There may be more examples from film era, dunno.
Originally by user49477. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user49477
10y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
No. Many modern fixed-lens digital cameras are mirrorless, but fixed-lens cameras are not automatically mirrorless.
There have been fixed-lens cameras that use reflex viewing systems. Examples mentioned include:
- Olympus E-10: a fixed-lens digital camera with an SLR-style viewing system.
- Twin-lens reflex (TLR) cameras such as Rolleiflex/Yashica types: these have fixed lenses and use a mirror for the viewing lens.
In general, a mirror is only needed if the camera uses a reflex optical viewfinder system. If a fixed-lens camera uses an electronic viewfinder, direct optical finder, or rangefinder-style finder, it can be considered mirrorless. That’s why cameras like the Leica Q, Sony RX1, and Fujifilm X100 series are typically discussed without much emphasis on the “mirrorless” label: with fixed-lens cameras, the more important distinction is usually the viewfinder design rather than lens interchangeability.
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