parallax error

(optics) Error in reading an instrument employing a scale and pointer because the observer's eye and pointer are not in a line perpendicular to the plane of the scale.

Also called "viewfinder error," it is the difference between what you see in a camera's viewfinder and the final picture. Typically, the picture image will be larger than the viewfinder image. There may be very little or no parallax error if the picture is previewed in the LCD screen. Single lens reflex (SLR) cameras also eliminate parallax error.

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