View source for Engineering:System camera

{{Short description|Camera with interchangeable components}}
{{Use MDY dates |date=August 2025}}
{{Expand German|topic=scitech}}
[[Image:Nikon F SLR camera with NIKKOR-S Auto 1,4 f=5,8cm.JPG|thumb|220px|Nikon F chrome with eyelevel prism and NIKKOR-S Auto 1:1.4 f=5.8cm lens (1959) – an early SLR system camera.]]
[[File:Nikon F viewfinder DSC 6506.jpg|thumb|A Nikon F body and viewfinder]]
[[File:Nikon-ftn-400.jpg|thumb|Nikon F with interchangeable photomic TTL metering prism]]

A '''system camera''' is a [[Physics:Camera|camera]] whose body is designed to support interchangeable components, most importantly an interchangeable lens, as well as other accessories.

Components may use different physical sockets, electrical contacts, and digital protocols, so not all are compatible with each other. A set of compatible components is referred to as a ''system''. Systems are usually named for the lens mount, such Nikon F-mount, Canon EF mount, and M42 mount (a non-proprietary mount using a {{val|42|x|1|u=mm}} screw thread).

Early system cameras include [[Company:Leica Camera|Leica I Schraubgewinde]] (1930), Exakta (1936) and the Nikon F (1959). System cameras are often [[Engineering:Single-lens reflex camera|single-lens reflex]] (SLR) or [[Engineering:Twin-lens reflex camera|twin-lens reflex]] (TLR) but can also be [[Engineering:Rangefinder camera|rangefinder camera]]s or, more recently, mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras. [[Engineering:Voice coil|Voice coil]] motors (VCMs) or [[Engineering:Piezoelectric motor|piezoelectric motor]]s are used to control the lens movement to achieve fast and accurate autofocus.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stanfordmagnets.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-voice-coil-motor.html |title=Everything You Need to Know About Voice Coil Motors |last=Marchio |first=Cathy |website=Stanford Magnets |date=Aug 30, 2024 |access-date=Oct 1, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Canon USM vs STM Lenses: What's The Difference? | website=ExpertPhotography | date=2022-07-21 | url=https://expertphotography.com/canon-usm-vs-stm/ | access-date=2025-08-13}}</ref> These motors move the lens elements to focus the light onto the sensor with high precision.<ref>{{cite patent |country=US |number=9134503B2 |status=patent}}</ref>

At the minimum, a system camera includes a camera body and separate, interchangeable lenses. Other accessories are also available:
* [[Physics:Flash (photography)|Electronic flash]] units matching the camera's capabilities.
* [[Engineering:Prontor-Compur|PC socket]] or tripod-adapter mounts for external flash units, rather than just a hot shoe
* [[Engineering:Bulb (photography)|Mechanical]], electric, or [[Organization:Infrared Data Association|IR]]/[[Engineering:Radio frequency|RF]] remote shutter release.
* Extensive supplementary equipment for [[Macro photography|macro photography]] and photomicrography.
* Adapters for third-party or legacy lenses, including tilt-shift adapters
* For film cameras, a [[Engineering:Motor drive|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 [[Physics:Viewfinder|viewfinder]]s, including interchangeable [[Engineering:Focusing screen|focusing screen]]s in the case of [[Engineering:Single-lens reflex camera|SLRs]]. Viewfinders and focusing screens could give different metering options.
* Extra-capacity battery packs, often in the form of a "battery grip" (a second, [[Page orientation|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 [[Engineering:HDMI|television]]
* [[Depth of field]] preview
* Global navigation satellite system receivers, e.g. (GPS) for [[Engineering:Geotagging|geotagging]]
* [[Bluetooth]] or [[Wi-Fi]] networking modules

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

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Cameras by type]]
[[Category:Technology systems]]


{{Sourceattribution|System camera}}