| A digital camera is an electronic device used to | | | | color filter. |
| capture and store photographs electronically instead of | | | | • Storage Media: There are several types of |
| using photographic film like conventional cameras. | | | | flash memory cards used for "digital film," but no |
| Modern compact digital cameras are typically | | | | matter which type the camera uses, the one that |
| multifunctional, with some devices capable of recording | | | | comes with the camera is typically undersized. Plan on |
| sound and/or video as well as photographs. | | | | purchasing a larger one when you buy the camera |
| Professional digital cameras are generally dedicated to | | | | (see flash memory). |
| photography. In the Western market, both types of | | | | • Data Transfer: Digital cameras come with a |
| digital cameras now outsell their 35 mm film | | | | USB cable for transfer directly to the computer, and |
| counterparts. | | | | many computers come with one or more memory |
| Digital cameras can be classified into several | | | | card slots. Printers may also come with card slots, |
| categories: | | | | allowing you to print your photos without using the |
| • Professional video cameras such as those | | | | computer at all. Wireless (Wi-Fi) transmission is also |
| used in television and movie production. These typically | | | | available on some cameras. |
| have multiple image sensors (one per color) to | | | | • Battery Duration: Digital cameras use either |
| enhance resolution and color gamut. Professional video | | | | rechargeable or standard AA batteries. It can take an |
| cameras usually do not have a built-in VCR or | | | | hour or more to recharge a battery, so an extra one, |
| microphone. | | | | fully charged, is always a good idea to have along. AA |
| • Camcorders used by amateurs. They | | | | batteries can be purchased almost anywhere, and |
| generally include a microphone to record sound, and | | | | rechargeable AA batteries can also be used. |
| feature a small liquid crystal display to watch the video | | | | • Video Capture: Most digital cameras now |
| during taping and playback. | | | | have a video capture facility (although SRLs don't), |
| • Webcams are digital cameras attached to | | | | meaning you can create short film sequences. The |
| computers, used for video conferencing or other | | | | quality isn't always very good (mainly dependent on |
| purposes. Webcams can capture full-motion video as | | | | the mega pixel sensors) some cameras don't have a |
| well, and some models include microphones or zoom | | | | sound recorder. But it's still handy to capture good |
| ability. | | | | moments on video. |
| Features: | | | | The ease of use: You have to get used to a new |
| • Resolution: The resolution of a digital | | | | gadget - finding out what all the buttons are for and |
| camera is determined by the camera sensor that turns | | | | getting used to the menus all requires a bit of practice. |
| light into digital information, replacing the job of film in | | | | Testing the camera and it's functionalities out before |
| traditional photography. The sensor is made up of | | | | buying it can be useful to check if you like it's look and |
| millions of "buckets" that collect light. Generally, these | | | | feel. |
| buckets college only a narrow range of light due to a | | | | |