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This is the opening in the lens that allows light to reach the image sensor. In most digital cameras, the size of the aperture can be adjusted to restrict or boost the amount of light hitting the sensor. This will be done automatically in Automatic mode, but cameras with Aperture Priority mode will also enable you to set the aperture manually. The aperture is measured in f-numbers, with the lowest number (eg f2) representing the largest aperture size and the highest (eg f8) representing the smallest.
A photos proportions, width compared to height. The most common being 4:3 for compact cameras
Digital cameras are powered either by a set of AA-sized batteries or by a lithiumion battery pack. If yours is a lithium-ion model, the battery pack will be supplied with the camera along with a charger. If the camera takes AA batteries, it's common for a set of non-rechargeable cells to be supplied to get you started. This type of camera will usually be compatible with AA-sized Ni-MH or Ni- Cd rechargeable cells as well.
The natural shaking of our hands can cause the camera to wobble, resulting in blurred pictures. Many compacts now feature technologies to counteract the effects of camera shake. Each brand has its own name for this but they're commonly referred to as 'anti-shake' or 'image stabilisation' modes.
Compact Flash memory card
Every digital camera has at least one method to connect to a computer or TV via cables: AV - Audio / Video USB - Universal Bus Series DC - Power Connection Wi-Fi - Wireless HDMI - High definition F - FireWire
Also known as Burst mode, continuous shooting allows the camera to capture a sequence of shots in rapid succession, measured in frames per second (fps). The speed and maximum number of shots that can be taken in a burst varies from camera to camera.
Different to Optical zoom, Digital Zoom crops into your images reducing the size of the file and increasing the occurance of noise. Shown by a number followed by an x, eg 4x
Stands for Digital Single Lens Reflex, a type of high-end digital camera in which the viewfinder enables you to view exactly what the camera is seeing through the lens (as opposed to the approximate framing offered by other camera viewfinders). DSLRs also feature interchangeable lens systems.
Refers to a camera's ability to capture light and dark in an image. A camera or image with a high dynamic range will capture more detail in both of these areas
Also commonly described as 'EV compensation' this is a feature available on the majority of cameras that enables you to manually override the automatic exposure to deliver an increase or decrease of light hitting the sensor. Exposure compensation is measured upwards or downwards according to an EV (Exposure Value) scale.
Cameras have a range of automatic, manual and preset scene modes to enhance your photography. For instance: A - Automatic P - Program AP - Aperture Priority SP - Shutter Priority M - Manual
Flash is used to provide additional or directional light when capturing an exposure. All cameras have an auto flash setting that will fire whenever the camera thinks flash is required, but there are a number of other flash settings available to suit different shooting scenarios. These include Red-eye Reduction flash for countering red-eye, and the softer Fill-in Flash for enhancing daylight shots that might otherwise be silhouetted. Some compacts, and all DSLRs, will also have a hotshoe for attaching an external flash unit.
This is a measure of the distance between the optical centre of the camera lens and its focal point. In fixed lenses, the focal length is constant, but a zoom lens will have a focal length range dependent on the level of zoom magnification used. A single focal length may give differing results on different cameras, due to the variable size of image sensors from model to model.
All cameras feature an autofocus (often abbreviated to AF) system in which the lens adjusts itself automatically to focus on the subject of your photo. However, more sophisticated cameras also have a Manual Focus (MF) system that enables you to set focus yourself. This is useful if you want to, for example, focus off-centre or onto a background rather than foreground subject.
Refers to a camera's ability to capture light and dark in an image. A camera or image with a high dynamic range will capture more detail in both of these areas
A graphical display of the tonal values in your image which can help ensure a well exposed and balanced image
Refers to the light sensitivity of the camera, using the same ISO scale of sensitivity found on 35mm film. In Auto mode, the camera will select the most appropriate sensitivity level itself. But most models will also enable you to select your own sensitivity. A standard ISO level is between 200 and 400 but a low sensitivity of, say, ISO 50 would be suitable for bright conditions, while a high sensitivity of ISO 1600 or above would be suitable for low-light conditions. Image quality can suffer as a result of using extreme ISO levels.
Stands for Liquid Crystal Display and refers to the screen on the rear of the camera. On most digital compacts the LCD is the main framing device when composing your shot, but can also be used to view and select options from camera menus and review the shots you've already taken.
A feature which allows you to compose images on the cameras LCD screen
Technically, a macro shot is one where the image is life-size or larger with a magnification ration of 1:1 or greater, but in general terms 'macro' is used to describe any close-up photography
The resolution of a digital camera's image sensor is measured in megapixels, with one megapixel equalling a million pixels, or tiny light sensors. Each camera has two megapixel values - total megapixels and effective megapixels. It's the effective megapixels that are the important figure for the consumer (and the figure that we publish in DCB) because this is the number of megapixels directly used for capturing an image.
The camera's metering system measures the light intensity of the scene you're shooting in order to set the most appropriate exposure level. Most cameras offer a range of metering options that measure light in different ways. For example, Spot metering mode measures light from a single point in the centre of the frame, while Multi-segment metering measures light from across the frame and sets an average exposure.
MultiMedia card
Memory Stick Pro Duo memory card
Memory Stick Pro memory card
The optical magnification provided by the camera lens, which is shown by a number follwed by an x, eg 4x. Different to digital zoom
A panorama is a super wide angle image that is created in a long, slim format, either horizontally or vertically
The pixel size of the image captured by the camera, measured in terms of horizontal and vertical pixels. Resolution can be adjusted in-camera by reducing or increasing the number of megapixels used to take a shot.
Secure Digital - the most common card type
Secure Digital High Capacity card - the most common card type
The camera's sensor captures the light entering through the lens and is made up of millions of tiny sensors (the amount equal the MP) which are translated into pixels and will make up the image
The length of time for which the camera's shutter is released to allow light through the aperture when capturing a photograph. In Auto mode, the camera determines shutter speed for itself, but cameras with Shutter Priority mode can set the speed manually. In full Manual mode, both the shutter speed and aperture can be set at the same time.
The type of memory card your camera's compatible, including internal memory
Stands for Universal Series Bus. This is the most common cable connection through which image data is transferred from the camera to a second device such as a PC, printer or portable storage drive. There are two USB transfer speeds, USB 1.1 and USB 2.0; the latter is the usual choice these days.
A maker's anti-shake system in camera, can be under numerous names
Although most cameras now use the LCD to compose shots, cameras like DSLRs often offer a viewfinder too, which is an eye piece you look through to compose
Colour temperature can vary from scene to scene. For example, an indoor shot might have an orange tint due to the tungsten lighting in the room, but most cameras have a range of white balance options to ensure that the colours in your photo look natural. These are usually available in Auto and Manual mode.
Most cameras feature a zoom lens which can magnify the subject you're shooting. There are two zoom types prevalent on digital compacts: optical zoom uses the optics of the lens itself to genuinely magnify the subject, while digital zoom simply 'crops' the image closer, causing it to lose resolution.
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