What does “SLD” mean for mirrorless cameras?

Asked 1/18/2011

82 views

2 answers

I’ve seen mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras described as “SLD” cameras, alongside terms like MILC and EVIL. What does the acronym “SLD” stand for in this context?

camera-types mirrorless evil camera-terms milc

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

15y ago

2 Answers

That would be Single Lens Display, where the D replaces the R as in SLR.

Olympus also used the same acronym as Single Lens Direct View. Obviously there is implied that it is a direct view from the imaging sensor.

Now I do see some references where D stands for Digital instead, which I think is too broad since there are other types of cameras where it applies.

Until Sony introduced its SLT models which use a translucent mirror, the category may have been named MILC which stands for Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera. but then it would have excluded this new type. Unsurprisingly, I've seen some sites and stores put the SLT models under the SLR category instead.

Originally by user1620. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user1620

15y ago

AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

In this context, SLD is most commonly used to mean Single Lens Display. It has also been used as Single Lens Direct View, both intended to distinguish these cameras from SLR cameras by replacing the reflex mirror/viewfinder system with a direct sensor-based display.

Some sources also use Single Lens Digital, but that term is broader and less precise, since many digital cameras are not mirrorless interchangeable-lens models.

For modern usage, MILC (Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera) is generally the clearer term for this category. Terms like EVIL were also used, though they’re less common today.

What does “SLD” mean for mirrorless cameras?

2 Answers

Your Answer

Related Questions