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Consumers have access to many types of digital cameras for capturing every kind of image. Learn about nine different varieties.

Types of Cameras: 9 Kinds of Cameras and Their Uses

A camera is an optical device that records a still or moving visual image on a light-sensitive surface. Film cameras, which reproduced images on photographic film, were the dominant camera technology in the past, but most modern cameras are digital cameras, which use a sensor to create high-resolution digital images. Digital cameras come in many different formats, including smartphone cameras and other portable devices. Cameras typically consist of an enclosed camera body with an optical viewfinder through which the camera user sees the image they want to record. 

A hole in the camera called the aperture allows light to enter the camera body and record the image on film or a digital sensor. Other functions on the camera adjust how the light-sensitive surface receives light: The aperture narrows or widens to allow varying amounts of light, while different lenses focus the light to sharpen image quality, and shutter speed measures and determines the duration of light exposure.
There are many different types of cameras, each with various capabilities and uses. They include:

1. __Action cameras__: Also known as action cams, these compact, shockproof cameras capture digital photography and high-definition video recording while immersed in an action-filled environment. Action cameras can mount to bicycle helmets and handlebars and even drones for remarkable wide-angle images and video; some high-end models connect to smartphones and even record 4K video, which is four times sharper than high-definition video. While durable and versatile, action cameras lack interchangeable lenses and have a short battery life.
2. __Bridge cameras__: For beginners who like the simplicity of compact digital cameras but also want greater control over camera settings, bridge cameras offer ease of use and versatility. They have a small sensor size, electronic viewfinder, and slower autofocus of compact digital cameras, but greater zoom range, more adjustable settings, and sharper image quality. 
3. __Compact digital cameras__: Pocket-sized, durable, and easy to use, compact digital cameras also go by point-and-shoot cameras. Always in automatic mode, compact digital cameras adjusts all its settings to provide quality images with every use. Compact digital cameras have a smaller sensor size than digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) or mirrorless cameras and use an LCD screen in the place of a viewfinder; some models allow you to adjust certain settings but come at a higher price point.
4. __DSLR cameras__: Most professional photographers use DSLR cameras, which combine the mirror and prism system of SLR, or single-lens reflex cameras, which reflect light onto the sensor, with a digital sensor. The photographer has greater versatility and complete control over a DSLR camera, which includes the ability to change lenses and capture a wide array of images, from telephoto lenses for high-speed images to portrait lenses for low-light situations. DSLRs have larger sensors that come in two sizes: a full-frame sensor (or 35-mm sensor) and a crop sensor (or APS-C), which allow for greater <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-dynamic-range-in-photos' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-dynamic-range-in-photos","linkCopy":"dynamic range","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>dynamic range</a> than compact digital cameras.
5. __Instant cameras__: What instant cameras lack in image quality, they more than make up for in terms of cost and the tactile pleasure of watching a picture develop in your hand. Exceptionally easy to use, just point and shoot these retro-style full-frame cameras. You also don’t need any apps or photo editing software. However, the amount of film you purchase limits the number of shots, which makes them somewhat cost-prohibitive.
6. __Medium-format cameras__: The sensor size of medium-format cameras—which comes in at a slightly larger size than the 35-mm film frame—creates striking film and digital images with greater dynamic range and more accurate color reproduction. This is an optimal camera for professional photographers, especially those working on photographs for print media or advertising, but the high cost of their lenses and slow shutter speed make them less ideal for entry-level users.
7. __Mirrorless cameras__: Mirrorless cameras completely removes the mirror and prism element, and replaces the live view of its optical viewfinder with an electronic viewfinder. Closer in size to digital cameras, mirrorless cameras use interchangeable lenses and offer an array of customized camera settings, including Wi-Fi image transfer and HDMI video output.
8. __Rangefinder cameras__: A type of film camera popular at the midpoint of the twentieth century, rangefinder cameras require the user to view the image through a window at the top of the camera and align two superimposed images by turning the lens to focus on a single image. You can largely find rangefinder cameras, which produce high-quality images, affordably as second-hand purchases, but the technology has a learning curve. 
9. __360-degree cameras__: A favorite among hobbyists because of their stunning panoramic images, 360-degree cameras share similarities to action cameras: Both mount on various surfaces and connect to smartphones. 360-degree cameras also use two wide-angle lenses pointing in different directions, which connect images to present a full-circle field of view perfect for landscape photography.
Become a better photographer with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com/). Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Jimmy Chin, Tyler Mitchell, Annie Leibovitz, and more.
Consumers have access to many types of digital cameras for capturing every kind of image. Learn about nine different varieties.

A camera is an optical device that records a still or moving visual image on a light-sensitive surface. Film cameras, which reproduced images on photographic film, were the dominant camera technology in the past, but most modern cameras are digital cameras, which use a sensor to create high-resolution digital images. Digital cameras come in many different formats, including smartphone cameras and other portable devices. Cameras typically consist of an enclosed camera body with an optical viewfinder through which the camera user sees the image they want to record. A hole in the camera called the aperture allows light to enter the camera body and record the image on film or a digital sensor. Other functions on the camera adjust how the light-sensitive surface receives light: The aperture narrows or widens to allow varying amounts of light, while different lenses focus the light to sharpen image quality, and shutter speed measures and determines the duration of light exposure.

What Is a Camera?

How To Choose Your Camera Gear

There are many different types of cameras, each with various capabilities and uses. They include:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Action cameras: Also known as action cams, these compact, shockproof cameras capture digital photography and high-definition video recording while immersed in an action-filled environment. Action cameras can mount to bicycle helmets and handlebars and even drones for remarkable wide-angle images and video; some high-end models connect to smartphones and even record 4K video, which is four times sharper than high-definition video. While durable and versatile, action cameras lack interchangeable lenses and have a short battery life. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Bridge cameras: For beginners who like the simplicity of compact digital cameras but also want greater control over camera settings, bridge cameras offer ease of use and versatility. They have a small sensor size, electronic viewfinder, and slower autofocus of compact digital cameras, but greater zoom range, more adjustable settings, and sharper image quality. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Compact digital cameras: Pocket-sized, durable, and easy to use, compact digital cameras also go by point-and-shoot cameras. Always in automatic mode, compact digital cameras adjusts all its settings to provide quality images with every use. Compact digital cameras have a smaller sensor size than digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) or mirrorless cameras and use an LCD screen in the place of a viewfinder; some models allow you to adjust certain settings but come at a higher price point. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. DSLR cameras: Most professional photographers use DSLR cameras, which combine the mirror and prism system of SLR, or single-lens reflex cameras, which reflect light onto the sensor, with a digital sensor. The photographer has greater versatility and complete control over a DSLR camera, which includes the ability to change lenses and capture a wide array of images, from telephoto lenses for high-speed images to portrait lenses for low-light situations. DSLRs have larger sensors that come in two sizes: a full-frame sensor (or 35-mm sensor) and a crop sensor (or APS-C), which allow for greater <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-dynamic-range-in-photos' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-dynamic-range-in-photos","linkCopy":"dynamic range","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>dynamic range</a> than compact digital cameras. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Instant cameras: What instant cameras lack in image quality, they more than make up for in terms of cost and the tactile pleasure of watching a picture develop in your hand. Exceptionally easy to use, just point and shoot these retro-style full-frame cameras. You also don’t need any apps or photo editing software. However, the amount of film you purchase limits the number of shots, which makes them somewhat cost-prohibitive. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 6. Medium-format cameras: The sensor size of medium-format cameras—which comes in at a slightly larger size than the 35-mm film frame—creates striking film and digital images with greater dynamic range and more accurate color reproduction. This is an optimal camera for professional photographers, especially those working on photographs for print media or advertising, but the high cost of their lenses and slow shutter speed make them less ideal for entry-level users. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 7. Mirrorless cameras: Mirrorless cameras completely removes the mirror and prism element, and replaces the live view of its optical viewfinder with an electronic viewfinder. Closer in size to digital cameras, mirrorless cameras use interchangeable lenses and offer an array of customized camera settings, including Wi-Fi image transfer and HDMI video output. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 8. Rangefinder cameras: A type of film camera popular at the midpoint of the twentieth century, rangefinder cameras require the user to view the image through a window at the top of the camera and align two superimposed images by turning the lens to focus on a single image. You can largely find rangefinder cameras, which produce high-quality images, affordably as second-hand purchases, but the technology has a learning curve. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 9. 360-degree cameras: A favorite among hobbyists because of their stunning panoramic images, 360-degree cameras share similarities to action cameras: Both mount on various surfaces and connect to smartphones. 360-degree cameras also use two wide-angle lenses pointing in different directions, which connect images to present a full-circle field of view perfect for landscape photography. </li></ol>

9 Types of Cameras

Become a better photographer with the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Jimmy Chin, Tyler Mitchell, Annie Leibovitz, and more.

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Consumers have access to many types of digital cameras for capturing every kind of image. Learn about nine different varieties.

Consumers have access to many types of digital cameras for capturing every kind of image. Learn about nine different varieties.


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Types of Cameras: 9 Kinds of Cameras and Their Uses