Exactly how does the
digital camera work?
Like the traditional film camera, the
digital camera uses light to create images. The film camera
allows light from the scene to pass through the lens exposing the film
inside. The light causes a chemical reaction on the film creating a
latent image. The exposed film is then removed and sent through a
chemical process which results in permanent images, also known as
negatives, that can be printed into pictures using yet another chemical
process.
The digital camera allows the
same light to pass through the lens, but instead of exposing film, the
light hits a CCD or charged-coupling device. These light sensitive
computer chips convert the light into electrical charges. These charges
are then transferred into data and stored in your camera's memory. The
memory in your camera can be either an in-camera chip or removable card
or disk. As a rule, higher quality digital cameras will require
larger storage devices to store larger files. This leads us to the
question of what you want to do with your pictures, or what you want
your end product to be.
Choosing a Digital
Camera
When trying to decide what or which
kind of digital camera to buy, it is important to know what you
plan to do with your images. Your end product will determine the type of
camera you will need. For instance, if you plan to use your pictures on
the internet or for power point presentations a low-end camera will
suffice. However, if you plan to print your pictures you will need to
plan on spending a little more money.
When we talk about low and high
quality, we are really talking about resolution. All digital imagery
is composed of single squares known as pixels and resolution refers to
the number of pixels per inch, or PPI, in any given image. A pixel can
be one color and one color only. The fewer pixels you have the fewer
distinct blocks you have to represent your image.
For instance, if you have ever tried to
print a picture off of a web page at 8x10 or even 5x7 and it came out
blurry and "Digitized", it is because the image was shot and stored at
low resolution. Keep in mind that most web based and power point images
have a resolution of 72 or 96 PPI and the standard PPI for print quality
pictures is 300! (Source:
Gunnery Sergeant Robert Butler)
Modern compact digital cameras
are typically multifunctional, with some devices capable of recording
sound and/or video as well as photographs. In the Western market,
digital cameras now outsell their 35 mm film counterparts. |
