SLR or Single Lens Reflex camera’s were a signature style of all professional photographers. It ruled the market for four decades. However, it is now threatened by the mirroless cameras. Since the birth of photography, for almost 100 years, it remained a hobby for the rich. The cameras and printing were expensive. The SLR  technology came into vogue in the 1970s. It brought the cameras within the reach of the upper-middle-class. In the 1980s, the cameras became just aim and shoot or point and shoot  type. Hotshot was introduced in India. It took the camera to the common people. There after, we witnessed the digital revolution. Everyone felt that this is the climax.But then came the mirroless camera technology. This camera retains its image capturing power in spite of being compact. At present even digital cameras are compact. However, their lenses cannot be changed. D-SLR cameras are available where lenses can be charged. They are bigger. D-SLR are used by professional photographers. The images are clear and good. They use a big sensor for it. As mirrors have been removed in mirroless cameras now, their weight and sizes have reduced. The sensor is bigger. It takes the direct image. The image is clear.

Right now, Lyka, Olympus, Panasonic and Sony have put mirrorless cameras in the market. The technology has also enabled the companies to price the cameras economically. Lower prices, excellent imaging and ease of operation are the factors which will make even the professional to go in for the mirroless cameras. It is estimated that 30 per cent of SLR market share will be cornered by mirroless cameras. Still there are no standards for this technology. The companies must evolve the standards. Canon and Nixon are likely to enter this field.

Single Lens Reflex cameras throw the rays of light on the mirrors inclined at 45 degrees . The image is seen there first. There is a penta-prism at the top. The image gets reflected there. That could be seen through the viewfinder. When we click the camera, the 45 degree-inclined mirror is shifted up and the shutter opens up to capture the image. Because of the penta-prism, the SLR cameras are bigger and weighty. In mirrorless cameras, they remove all the mirrors. The rays of light fall upon the sensor directly. The image could be seen on the backside LCD screen. This is the direct image capture.. The professionals can change the lenses in the mirrorless cameras. The lens is the crucial element of the camera. The photographer keeps a lens kit to suit the different needs. There will be new lens kits for the mirrorless cameras. The lens included are from the wide angle type to zoom and micro type. In the coming days, there will be special lenses called fish-eye.