System Camera

A system camera is a camera with interchangeable components that constitutes the core of a system. Early representatives include Leica I Schraubgewinde (1930), Exakta (1936) and the Nikon F (1959). System cameras are often single-lens reflex (SLR) or twin-lens reflex (TLR) but can also be rangefinder cameras or, more recently, mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras.

Even point-and-shoot cameras often include a tripod socket. A system camera includes at the very least a camera body and separate, interchangeable lenses, whence the alternative name interchangeable-lens camera (ILC). In addition it often includes:

  • Electronic flash units matching the camera's capabilities.
  • PC socket or tripod-adapter mounts for external flash units, rather than just a hot shoe
  • Mechanical, electric, or IR/RF remote shutter release.
  • Extensive supplementary equipment for macro photography and photomicrography.
  • Adapters for third-party or legacy lenses, including tilt-shift adapters
  • For film cameras, a motor drive to advance the film automatically.
  • For film cameras, different camera backs, e.g. large capacity for bulk film, or data back or datebacks for recording exposure and date information.
  • Add on correction or magnifying lenses to help focusing or composition through the viewfinder.
  • Interchangeable viewfinders, including interchangeable focusing screens in the case of SLRs. Viewfinders and focusing screens could give different metering options.
  • Extra-capacity battery packs, often in the form of a "battery grip" (a second, portrait-oriented handgrip), but also including fully external packs with cable interface
  • AC adapters with dummy-battery interfaces for studio or other stationary work
  • Sockets and matching cables for direct output, e.g., to a television
  • Depth-of-field preview
  • Global navigation satellite system receivers, e.g. (GPS) for geotagging
  • Bluetooth or Wifi networking modules

While some early mechanical interfaces are standardized across brands, optical and electronic interfaces are often proprietary. Hot shoes have a common interface for basic flash functions, but often contain proprietary contacts inside for advanced flashes and data modules.

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