Some interesting definitional news has come to light. An article published in DPR overnight, refers to The Consumer Electronics Association having formalized certain camera terminology. The CEA website says:
Interchangeable Lens Cameras (ILCs)
The CEA Digital Imaging Division Board recently approved use of the following camera terminology:
- DSLR (short for Digital Single-Lens Reflex Cameras) is a subset of ILC cameras that includes a mirror mechanism.
- Mirrorless (short for Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Cameras) is a subset of ILC cameras that does not include a mirror mechanism.
- ILC (short for Interchangeable lens Cameras) includes both DSLR and Mirrorless cameras. By definition, they have Interchangeable Lenses.
So, we have ILC, and under that it splits into DSLR and Mirrorless.
Any fixed-lens camera does not belong in the Mirrorless class of camera, so units like the Fuji X100 series, the Nikon Coolpix A, are not Mirrorless cameras. Also, the fixed-lens 'bridge' cameras like the Sony RX10 and Lumix FZ1000, are not Mirrorless cameras.
The note is silent on rangefinder models, like the Leica M and a couple of Fujis. Mirrorless? Nothing says they aren't.