Defining Mirrorless: The Leica M-EV1 and Photography Jargon

The article uses the Leica M-EV1 camera as a focal point to explore the evolving and often imprecise nature of photographic terminology. The author, reflecting on the M-EV1's design which lacks an optical viewfinder and operates primarily via live view, questions whether it qualifies as a “Mirrorless” camera. Historically, rangefinders, despite containing mirrors, were not categorized as Mirrorless due to their distinct manual focus and optical viewfinder usage. However, the M-EV1’s operational similarity to a Mirrorless camera in manual focus mode challenges this convention, prompting the author to suggest that, by extension, all Leica M cameras could then be considered Mirrorless.

The discussion extends to other widely accepted but literally inaccurate terms. “Full-frame,” for instance, originated to describe sensors mimicking the dimensions of “35mm” film, especially when pairing film-era lenses with early DSLRs. Despite the term “35mm” itself being descriptive rather than literal (no part of the sensor measures 35mm), it became a useful distinction to avoid confusion with focal length measurements. Similarly, “medium format” is used to describe digital sensors larger than 35mm, even though some purists argue it should be restricted to film-era formats. The author contends that binding new technology to the specifics of a dead one is senseless, especially when the existing term serves perfectly well.

Ultimately, the article argues that the exact literal meaning of these terms matters less than their common understanding and acceptance within the photographic community. The author, having helped popularize “mirrorless,” acknowledges its imperfection but emphasizes that most people recognize what is meant by it. For niche products like rangefinders, the precise classification (e.g., M-EV1 as Mirrorless) becomes largely irrelevant because context usually clarifies intent. The piece encourages self-reflection, questioning whether ambiguity genuinely misleads or if it merely provides an opportunity for displaying niche knowledge.

(Source: https://www.dpreview.com/opinion/1088253615/cameras-meaning-and-jargon-a-reflection-on-mirrorless)