How a Digital Camera Works.gif)
This is the second page
of our description of how a digital camera works. If you did
not read this page, you may wish to start there. Go to the
first page of How a Digital
Camera Works.
Displaying Images
on a Digital Camera
Virtually all digital
cameras have a LCD screen on them - avoid ones that don't
since the LCD screen is very useful. This LCD screen, at least
for most cameras, will show what the photo you are about to
take will look like. The LCD screens are generally easy to
read except for out in bright sunlight. The LCD screen on
a digital camera also allows you to see all the images currently
stored on the cameras memory card and to access whatever functions
the camera may have.
The Lens of a
Digital Camera
The lens of a digital
camera, just like the traditional 35mm camera, is of vital
importance. A poor quality lens, regardless of the cameras
features or resolution, will produce poor quality photographs.
Period.
The length of the
lens, whether it is zoom lens or a fixed lens, determines
how the image will look. To capture an image to reflect what
we actually see with our own eyes, a 50mm lens is used. A
shorter lens (such as 35mm) is ideal for taking landscape
pictures. A longer lens (such as 100mm or more) is used for
getting closer to distant objects.
Just remember,
when shopping for a digital camera, avoid like the plague
any camera that has a poor quality lens. Quality is everything
on camera lenses.
Optical Zoom v.
Digital Zoom
Most digital cameras
come with a zoom lens, which allows you to adjust the length
of the lens to either move closer to the object (a long lens)
or to move farther away from the object (a short lens). The
ability to adjust the length of the lens is of vital importance
to most photographers, beginners and amateurs alike, since
it allows them to capture all sorts of images in all sorts
of conditions.
While zoom lenses
are nothing new, digital cameras usually come with two types
of zoom on them. The first is the optical zoom which is identical
to that found on traditional cameras. When using optical zoom,
you can get closer to a particular object without any sacrifice
in image quality.
Digital zoom, however,
is a new type of zoom that is found only in digital cameras.
When using digital zoom, the camera itself modifies the image
electronically to bring the object you are photographing closer
to you. It does this by cropping the image and then blowing
up the middle of the image. The result of this is that photographing
objects using digital zoom usually produces grainy, blocky
images.
Thus, be careful
when shopping for digital cameras. Make sure whatever camera
you get has a high optical zoom rating if you want to be able
to zoom in on distant objects. Digital zoom is, at lest from
my experience, rather useless.
The Flash of a
Digital Camera
Virtually all digital
cameras come with a built-in flash. Numerous flash modes are
available on digital cameras. The four most important flash
modes on a digital camera are:
- Automatic
- The digital camera sense when to use the flash according
to the lighting conditions.
- On -
The digital camera will use the flash for every picture,
needed or not.
- Off -
The digital camera will never use the flash, needed or not.
- Red-Eye Reduction
- This is needed if you plan on taking pictures of people,
pets or wildlife. I'm sure you've seen photos of people
or animals with "red eyes." To avoid this, digital
cameras with red-eye reduction fire short flashes before
the final flash, which makes the subject of the pictures
eyes contract. This helps prevent or at least reduce glowing
"red eyes".
Connecting a Digital
Camera to Your Computer
To get your pictures
off the memory card in the digital camera requires downloading
the images from the card to your computer. A cable is used
to connect the digital camera to the computer. Once the digital
camera and computer are connected, the images may be swiftly
downloaded from the camera to the computer using the various
types of software and drivers that come with the camera.
Avoid purchasing
any digital camera that does not use a USB connection. Some
older and cheaper cameras require a serial connection. A serial
connection is MUCH slower in downloading images from the digital
camera to the computer. Such a connection is also more difficult
to initially install and not as easy to use. In short, make
sure you get a camera that uses a USB connection.
Digital Camera
Software
All digital cameras
come with some type of software. This software is used to
set up the digital camera (drivers are installed that allow
the digital camera to talk to your computer) as well as with
some sort of program that allows you to edit images, manage
your images, as well as do other things.
Generally, the
more expensive the camera, the better the software that will
be included with the camera. The software that comes with
a digital camera is important. A good software program will
effectively manage and store all your digital images in an
easy to use format. Additionally, software features such as
"stitch assist" allow you take multiple images and
stitch them together seamlessly to form panoramic shots (the
camera must support this feature, too).
One important thing
to keep in mind regarding the software is to make sure that
the software (and the drivers for the camera), are compatible
with your own computer. If you are running Windows 95 or a
Macintosh, you are likely to have a more difficult time finding
a camera that will work with your computer.
Powering a Digital
Camera
Digital cameras
receive their power from batteries of one variety or another,
although adapters are available to keep them powered up during
long download sessions. Digital cameras, especially when using
the LCD screen, eat up battery power in a hurry. For this
reason, digital cameras either use a special rechargeable
battery that comes with the camera or can be powered by standard
rechargeable batteries.
Conclusion
Well, there you
have the basics of how a digital camera works. If you are
looking to purchase a digital camera, we recommend visiting
our Buyers Guide to
Shopping for a Digital Camera. You may also get product
information and details about recommended Canon
Digital Cameras.
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