Mirrorless

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈmɪɹələs/

Definitions

1. A camera system that captures images electronically without the necessity of a reflex mirror, utilizing a digital display for composition instead of an optical viewfinder, which allows for interchangeable lenses designed for versatile shooting styles
2. Referring to cameras that operate without the mirror mechanism typical in DSLRs, this type leverages electronic components to provide a live view and supports various lenses for creative flexibility
3. A type of camera that uses electronic sensors for image capture instead of a mechanical mirror, enabling real-time view through a display and the use of interchangeable lenses for creative opportunities

Etymology: "Mirrorless" is a plain compound: "mirror" plus the suffix "-less," meaning "without." The "-less" ending comes from Old English "lēas," meaning "free from" or "lacking," and it has been attached to nouns for centuries to describe the absence of something. Words like "homeless," "careless," and "endless" follow the same pattern. In the case of "mirrorless," the mirror in question is the reflex mirror inside a single-lens reflex camera, the angled mirror that bounces light from the lens up to the viewfinder. Cameras without that component, which send the image from the sensor directly to an electronic screen or viewfinder, are the mirrorless type. The word thus describes a camera by what it lacks, defined against the older design it departs from.