Publisher Summary This chapter explains the main camera components, and shows how—put together in different combinations—they make up today's mainstream camera designs. It also compares the advantages and disadvantages of various camera types. This chapter concentrates on film cameras, and much of the information here is also valid when using a digital camera. Plenty of “front end” components such as viewfinder, auto-focusing, zoom lens and built-in flash are common to both kinds of camera Today's camera equipment can be divided into four basic types: view cameras, compacts, twin-lens reflexes and single-lens reflexes. At the same time, camera picture sizes fall into three different groups: large format (sheet film, typically 5 × 4 inch), medium format (roll-film sizes giving 6 × 6 cm, etc.) and small format (principally 35 mm). A camera should offer certain controls and adjustments, either manual or automated: a means of accurately aiming the camera and composing the picture; an ability to focus precisely; a shutter to control the moment of exposure and how long light acts on the sensitive surface; an aperture to control image brightness and depth of field; a method of loading and removing film, without allowing unwanted light to affect it; a meter to measure the light and indicate or set the exposure needed for each shot.