The Fatal Flaw of SLRs

Turns out single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras have a flaw in their design that leads to more camera shake. Camera shake is of course bad for photography, because even the tiniest movement occurring while acquiring an image leads to lower-quality pictures. Ever been frustrated with blurry pics caused by hands that can’t keep still? That’s camera shake in action.

Anyways, the classic design of an SLR causes camera shake—even if said camera is perched securely on a tripod. That’s because in an SLR, the mirror which allows the user to see the image literally through the lens flips up when the shutter is pressed, allowing the camera’s sensor or film to save the picture. Unfortunately, that action also creates vibrations that cause camera shake and lead to lower-quality pictures, no matter how small these vibrations are.

We have the Japanese to thank for this discovery. They were able to develop a tool for measuring even the slightest movement. Here were their findings:

The resolution of an SLR camera was substantially reduced to 1/4 or lower by the mirror shock (vibration generated when the mirror bounces up).

Next, it was confirmed that the vibration generated by releasing the shutter remains even when a picture is taken after a certain period of time from the mirror lockup to prevent a mirror shock.

Then, the Nishi Lab and Tani Electronics found that camera shake significantly worsens when a lighter tripod (approx 1.5kg) is used. Also, they conducted a quantitative investigation about the influence of the installation direction of the tripod.

So what’s the point of all this? Well, one of the researchers summed it up quite nicely: “”There is no point in enhancing resolution unless we take some measures to reduce the vibration of a camera unit as a whole including a tripod.”

I’m curious though: does this mean point and shoot cameras, which presumably use smaller parts that move less, experience less camera shake when perched on a tripod?

(image from Wikipedia)