便携相机/卡片机

Compact or point-and-shoot cameras run the gamut: they can be compact shooters that are affordable, simple to use, and pocket-size portable, or more robust pro models with longer zooms, better sensors, or full manual exposure controls.

便携数码相机或更为我们熟知的“卡片机”品种繁多，有些主打亲民的价格，简易的操作和小巧便携的机身；有些高端的型号则会注重较长的焦段，高质量的传感器，或者丰富的手动曝光控制。

As the pioneers in digital cameras, compact cameras were extremely popular in the first decade of 21st century. However, the popularization of smartphones pushed compact cameras onto a dangerous cliff, since smartphones could take pictures almost as good as compacts and they are developing really, really fast. The decline of low and middle range compact cameras is evident – you hardly see those chic cameras anymore when travelling, instead replaced with smartphones.

单反相机的全称是单镜头反光相机，指的是相机内部有一块可以活动的反光板，将影像传递到取景器或者图像传感器之上。作为传统的胶片单反的继任者，数码单反相机仍然体积较大，重量不轻，但是专业性强。

The mirror structure prevents designers from minimalizing the size of the camera, but on the other hand ensures photo quality. Meanwhile, large image sensors on DSLRs are hardly realized on smartphones, which is one of the most important factors in deciding image quality. Optical viewfinders provide a clear view of subject in any lighting conditions, while a wide range of lenses guarantees photographers to shoot satisfactory photos in different conditions and for different purposes. By and large, professional photographers still prefer DSLRs to any other type of cameras.

无反/微单相机

Mirrorless cameras are the real challenger to DSLRs. Today, mirrorless cameras offer a popular and, in some cases, better alternative. So named because they have removed the bulky mirror and optical viewfinder systems of DSLRs, mirrorless cameras allow for smaller, lighter weight designs. They were regarded as inferior to DSLRs, but the fact is that they have been improving incredibly over the years.

真正对单反相机构成挑战的则是微单相机。如今的微单相机日益受到青睐，在一些情况下甚至是更佳的选择。顾名思义，无反/微单相机没有单反相机臃肿的反光镜和光学取景器结构，它的设计既便携又轻巧。尽管性能上曾被认为远不及单反相机，但是近年来发展迅速，大有赶超单反之势。

New features of mirrorless cameras are more than technological advances: they are more fashionable-looking, and added with trendy features like Wi-Fi connectivity and social media sharing. Mirrorless cameras target two types of customers: amateur photographers who are not satisfied with phone cameras, and professional photographers who are tired of carrying heavy DSLRs.