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Higher-end SLR cameras include a pentaprism to transmit the image from the lens to the viewfinder, whereas lower-end SLR cameras use a pentamirror to accomplish the same task.

  1. What are the differences between a pentaprism and a pentamirror?
  2. Why is a pentaprism preferable to a pentamirror in a SLR camera?
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3 Answers 3

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The basic difference is that a pentaprism is a solid block of glass. This means it's fairly heavy. Light enters one side, gets reflected around inside, and then comes out one other side. This means there are only 2 air/glass interfaces involved: one where light enters the prism, and one where it leaves the prism. This keeps light loss to a minimum.

A pentamirror does pretty much the same thing, but it's composed of a number of separate mirrors, so there's air in the middle instead of a block of solid glass. This makes it considerably lighter and less expensive. It also means there's an air/glass interface for each individual mirror, so there's quite a bit more light loss.

As a result, a pentamirror is used almost exclusively in relatively low-end cameras where reduced expense and weight matter more than a relatively dim view through the viewfinder.

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    \$\begingroup\$ There are no mirror coatings on a pentaprism, they work based on total internal reflection. \$\endgroup\$
    – Brandon Dube
    Commented Apr 25, 2017 at 22:18
  • \$\begingroup\$ So, because the pentamirror has more loss of light than the pentaprism, does that necessarily mean photo quality is better with the prism? \$\endgroup\$
    – Philip Trepanier
    Commented Jun 28, 2019 at 12:18
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    \$\begingroup\$ @BrandonDube: Having torn apart a few cameras, I can tell you with certainty that at least some do have mirror coatings on the outside. It may not do a whole lot, but it's definitely there in at least some cases. \$\endgroup\$
    – Jerry Coffin
    Commented Jun 28, 2019 at 13:53
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    \$\begingroup\$ @PhilipTrepanier: No. The pentaprism/mirror in only in the light path from the lens to the viewfinder, not in the path from the lens to the film/sensor. It has no direct effect on picture quality (as opposed to indirect effects, such as framing the picture better if you can see it better). \$\endgroup\$
    – Jerry Coffin
    Commented Jun 28, 2019 at 18:05
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    \$\begingroup\$ @PhilipTrepanier: the thing that is better with a pentaprism is the viewfinder. Depending on how much you care about good viewfinders (I am a viewfinder obsessive...) this may matter more or less to you. However pentaprisms are generally associated with higher-end cameras which may also have better image quality than cheaper ones, so to that extent they do correlate with better image quality, perhaps. \$\endgroup\$
    – user82065
    Commented Jun 28, 2019 at 20:23
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And for a visual:

Pentamirror

Pentamirror

Pentaprism

Pentaprism

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    \$\begingroup\$ +1 - Pentaprism is better, but your diagrams make pentamirror seem way cooler ;-) \$\endgroup\$
    – Drew
    Commented Jan 18, 2012 at 8:38
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    \$\begingroup\$ Is there a reason why they have different shapes? \$\endgroup\$
    – clabacchio
    Commented Oct 16, 2014 at 9:00
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    \$\begingroup\$ This is an addition to Nick Bedford's answer, and answers clabacchio's question. The extra right angle on top of the pentamirror illustration is "roof" of a roof pentaprism or roof pentamirror, which is actually what is used in a SLR. This reverses the image laterally, compensating for the reversal done by the lens. This is why the image in the viewfinder is correctly oriented. \$\endgroup\$
    – user36866
    Commented Jan 8, 2015 at 7:01
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    \$\begingroup\$ This doesn't really answer the question. And the diagrams from Wikipedia need attribution :( \$\endgroup\$
    – mattdm
    Commented Nov 6, 2019 at 13:32
  • \$\begingroup\$ This answer is misleading, because it shows a roof pentamirror and a regular (non-roof) pentaprism. All pentaprisms and pentamirrors in SLRs and DSLRs are roof-type. \$\endgroup\$
    – scottbb ♦
    Commented Apr 3, 2020 at 18:36
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an actual Pentaprism I have form an old SLR an actual Pentaprism I have form an old SLR

Actually, real Pentaprisms look more like the drawing of the Pentamirror shown above.

The Pentaprism drawing is just a geometrical illustration to show the light path and how it is reflected.

These are photos of an actual Pentaprism I have form an old SLR, (click for full size)

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  • \$\begingroup\$ I've edited this answer to include both images. Once the edit is approved the other answer can be deleted. \$\endgroup\$
    – uhoh
    Commented Apr 2, 2020 at 9:30
  • \$\begingroup\$ Next question; why are pentaprims pink? \$\endgroup\$
    – uhoh
    Commented Apr 2, 2020 at 9:31
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    \$\begingroup\$ Sorry about the image quality. It is not PINK, it is white glass. The reason it looks pink is due to the lighting in the room and a photograph taken with mobile phone (cell phone) without any white balance correction (the reason why setting white balance is soooo important for JPG images). With RAW images you can fix that later on \$\endgroup\$
    – Ibra Spanish
    Commented Apr 3, 2020 at 17:53
  • \$\begingroup\$ You can fix white balance problems without RAW, you just need the proper software. \$\endgroup\$
    – Mark Ransom
    Commented Jun 16, 2021 at 3:55
  • \$\begingroup\$ Mark, I wish, but that's not the case. See this answer for detailed information. Essentially WB done on raw file is pre-processing that operates on plenty of data. WB on JPEG is post-processing with stripped (and essentially different) data. The implications are described in link. \$\endgroup\$
    – Krzysiu
    Commented Sep 6, 2021 at 18:25

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