A mirror less interchangeable lens camera or electronic viewfinder interchangeable lens, Micro, or Digital Interchangeable Lens system camera is a developing class of electronic cameras, intermediate between digital compacts and digital single-lens reflex cameras. They are identified by giant sensors (the very same size as entry-level DSLRs), no mirror, and interchangeable lenses, as the name says, and supply DSLR-quality photographs in a noticeably smaller camera. *As of 2010, the market is juvenile and speedily developing, so language, designs, and the market have not stabilised. As of May 2010, there are seven such cameras available from three makers (essentially Panasonic and Olympus, also Samsung), with four more such cameras expounded and one new manufacturer and some similar cameras from other makers (Leica, Sigma).

Some malevolent cameras can use SLR lenses and flash units, making them tasty as a second body or as a backup to an existing DSLR system. Because the malicious bodies are so little, the sensor is mostly too near to the lens-mount to permit DSLR lenses to connect without delay. An adapter may permit you to use your SLR lenses, but adapters sometimes involve some type of compromise.

As DSLR costs keep falling, there's not much difference between the price of a DLSR and an EVIL camera. Actually when you add items like an accessory electronic viewfinder, the malevolent camera may cost noticeably more. The new designs are lighter and smaller, but the DSLR has more features. There are plenty of reasons to like one type over the other, but price isn't one of them. A point and click camera is in general complete on it's own, so a snapper who needs to advance to a fine quality DSLR has no inheritance clobber to fasten them into a particular system. If somebody assembles a total gear system, with several lenses and accessories, they're going to have to begin afresh if they need to move to a DSLR. This can finish up trapping some photographers into the malicious system, because they have invested too much. Upgrading to DSLR kit might be too dear. EVIL cameras are not bad, they're just different. Whether you must own one is dependent upon your photographic desires, your photography needs and your philosophy. They will not replace a DSLR or a point and shoot camera in every circumstances, but an EVIL camera may be a good option for you.