Digital Cameras: A Basic Primer

Over the course of the past five years, more and more people the world over have taken to utilizing a digital camera for their photography needs. Indeed, digital cameras are one of the fastest selling types of “high-tech” equipment on the market today. Nonetheless, while many people are purchasing and utilizing digital cameras, a significant number of men and women really have no understanding how digital cameras actually work. While they may have an appreciation of more traditional types of film based photography, they simply do not recognize even the basic workings of digital photography.

In simple terms, a digital camera is one that is equipped with an electronic photosensitive sensor. When the digital camera is engaged, it immediately stores the image that the camera has been trained on by the photographer. The picture is stored directly into the camera’s memory precisely in the manner that other types of data is stored within a computer or other high-tech piece of equipment with memory. Unlike with traditional film based photography, there is no need for any sort of processing before the image can be viewed, shared or even duplicated.

After the digital image is captured and stored on the camera, the image can then be transferred and downloaded to a computer. Likewise, the captured digital image can be transmitted over the Internet as well. Quite like other forms of data that can be stored on computers and in similar devices, digital images can also be compressed for later retrieval.

By having a minimal understanding of the mechanics of digital cameras, a person will be better able appreciate the breadth and width to which digital photography can be applied in his or her personal or professional life.

In the world today, three major companies are in the business of manufacturing digital cameras: Sony, Nikon and Canon. An overview of the operations of these companies can be found at DigitalCamerasTheBigThreeManufacturers.