An imaging spectrometer based on a linear variable filter has the features of compact structure, miniaturization and high spatial resolution. Now, it has become the development trend for imaging spectrometers. Firstly, the concepts and principles of the linear variable filter and its corresponding imaging spectrometer are presented. Then, the advantages and application fields of such imaging spectrometers are analyzed. Finally, the related development status at home and abroad is discussed and the future prospects of the imaging spectrometers based on linear variable filters are given.