What Is the Live View on an SLR Digital Camera?
Originally only compact digital cameras offered photographers the ability to view a real-time image preview on a camera's LCD screen. As compact digital camera users began migrating to DSLR -- digital single-lens reflex -- cameras, so did the live-view feature. Now photographers can use the LCD screen of their DSLR cameras to compose, review and playback pictures.
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Features
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Although the specific features of the live view mode on DSLR cameras vary among manufacturers, the basic features function similarly. The photographer can look at the LCD screen and see a live, moving scene. Rather than peering through the camera's optical viewfinder, the user can look at the LCD screen to frame their picture, examine expressions and decide when they want to press the shutter button to capture the image. Even though the live preview feature looks like a live video feed, the camera only records still frames, when the photographer presses the shutter button.
Function
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To make live view possible, the DSLR locks the camera's mirror in an upright position while a prism directs the image to a sensor that outputs to the LCD screen. Before creating live view for DSLR's, the mirror directly reflected the image coming through the camera lens onto the image capture sensor. With that arrangement, the photographer could only preview the photo by looking through the camera's optical viewfinder.
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Drawbacks
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When the photographer presses the shutter button to capture the image they see while using the live view, they may not get the image they hoped for. A fraction of a second delay -- to lower the mirror and reflect the image onto the capturing sensor -- can mean the difference between documenting the moment or not, especially when photographing athletics.
Some models of DSLR cameras require manual focusing when using the live view mode. Although manual focus can give sharp, accurate results, it's not as quick or easy as using autofocus. To eliminate the need to manually focus, turn off the live view mode.
Benefits
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The live view feature on DSLR cameras makes handling the camera more convenient for some. Photographers who wear eyeglasses may no longer bump their lenses against the back of the camera while composing a shot or use costly optical viewfinder adapters to accommodate glasses.
The live view feature makes it possible for users to hold the camera at chest-height, versus eye-height. People with range-of-motion restrictions or joint pain don't have to bend their elbows as far in this position, and they can still see the LCD screen and frame their next picture.
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References
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