Perhaps not yet, but the handwriting might be on the wall?
How is a digital camera different from a film camera? What are pixels and why are they important? What's the difference between optical and digital zoom? What advantages do digital cameras have compared to film cameras? Let's address these and other questions as we discuss digital camera technology.
First a short history and overview of digital imaging?
The technology began with television in the early 1950's when researchers discovered how to convert video images to electrical signals for storage on magnetic tape. In the 1970's electronic still photo cameras were developed. These employed the first generations of solid-state image sensors. By the late 1980's megapixel sensors were introduced - the technology that paved the way to today's modern digital cameras.
Fundamentally, film and digital cameras do the same thing. Both utilize camera lenses to focus photographic images on a light sensitive medium where they are stored for later retrieval. But the way each camera does this is radically different.
Instead of capturing the image on film that must be developed and printed, digital cameras measure light and color characteristics using photodiodes built into a sensor - either a Charged Coupled Device (CCD) or Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS). An Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) then converts the signal to binary, or digital, code. This code is sent to a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) which adjusts photographic elements such as contrast and color, and compresses the file for storage in the camera's memory, compact flash card, or other memory device.
Digital cameras have huge advantages when it comes to viewing and printing photos. It's nearly instantaneous! We can immediately look at the picture on the camera's LED screen, and if we don't like it, delete it and shoot again. Or we download and view it on our computer's monitor. And the pictures can be cropped or enhanced in minutes on the computer with photo software and printed with a photo printer. Plus many digital cameras have optional printer docks that don't require a computer at all.
What's a Pixel?
The human eye perceives a nearly infinite blending of light and color which high-quality film can approximate in a photograph. A digital image however, is a binary code file that records these variations as elements called pixels - short for picture elements.
Pixels are tiny squares of light and color, that when assembled create a mosaic. And like a mosaic, if the squares are small enough we see a smooth, photographic image. However, if the pixels are too big the transitions appear jagged or out of focus.
More pixels equal higher resolution and photos with clearer sharper detail, much like when you look at a mosaic with very small elements. For example, a 3 Megapixel digital camera can produce pretty good snapshots and even enlargements to about 8" X 10". But the more you enlarge, crop or otherwise manipulate the image, the larger the pixels become, degrading the photo's quality.
Does size matter?
The number of pixels the sensor produces is important, but so is the quality. The CCD sensors of many small digital cameras are about the size of a small fingernail, while some larger models will feature sensors up to about 1" across. There are conflicting opinions about sensor type and size, and the technology is advancing. But in general it can be argued that the photodiodes in a tiny CCD probably won't be as powerful or effective as an equal number in a larger sensor.
So unless your most important considerations are the smallest and/or cheapest camera, you're likely to be happier with the picture quality from a slightly larger model, assuming both have the same number of pixels.
All Zooms are not equal
The specs say the camera has 3X optical and 4X digital for a 12X total zoom. Sounds good, right? The answer is yes and no. Optical zoom works like a telescope, while digital zoom crops the picture. Using these zoom specs with our 3 megapixel camera example, here's what happens.
Optical zoom brings the image 3X closer and uses all 3 million pixels. But digital zoom crops up to 75% of what the lens sees and the sensor is exposed to, so the photo now has about 750,000 pixels. Depending on lighting and other conditions, using full digital zoom may not even get you a good 4" X 6" print.
The Future of Digital Photography
The last few years have seen tremendous advancement in digital imaging technology. Some high-end digital cameras can now generate more than 12 million pixels and produce photos that rival medium-format film cameras. As with all electronic technology, it's reasonable to expect even better cameras will come to the market over the next several years.
Photography "purists" will probably resist abandoning their film cameras as long as possible. But when comparing convenience, flexibility and quality, it seems inevitable that the majority of photographers will opt for digital over film photography ? and probably sooner rather than later.
For more information on comparing features and finding the best digital camera to fit your photography style and budget, see digital camera comparisons.
Digital cameras information from A to Z: camera types & features, how they work, accessories, photo printers, comparisons and more - plus digital photo processing tips and info at digital camera comparisons, Your Complete A-Z Resource for Digital Cameras, Accessories and Information.
This article may be re-printed in its entirety, with no changes and this resource box included. ? 2005 A-Z Digital Cameras All rights reserved
Barrington South Lincoln Stretch rentals .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareHow long do you think DVDs have around? 20 years?... Read More
Are you looking for an MP3 player but am not... Read More
The DNS (Domain Name System) servers are what your computer... Read More
OK, so you caught a computer virus and your system... Read More
You don't have to fork out $250 for a super-diggy-whizbang... Read More
Computer related terminology could sometimes be daunting to newcomers. These... Read More
Upgrading your processor will always speed up your computer, but... Read More
Enhanced Definition Television ? also known as EDTV ? is... Read More
Since the DOS days, batch files have been one of... Read More
With renting methods such as online DVD rental and pay-per-view,... Read More
The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Certification is meant for... Read More
Not so many years ago, homes across the country watched... Read More
Everywhere you look today people are listening to personal audio... Read More
Simone is exasperated. She has to work on her university... Read More
Flash mp3 players come with an exciting array of features,... Read More
Do you know how many fonts are currently installed on... Read More
How familiar does the following sound? Your computer was working... Read More
Have you ever thought about building your own computer system?... Read More
Webmasters usually sit at their computers much longer in a... Read More
System File Checker is a great utility that is typically... Read More
While most small businesses really do need to find a... Read More
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a protocol that is part... Read More
Your Bible At Your FingertipsIt is fairly easy to find... Read More
The technological horizon has always got something new to offer,... Read More
Below you will find some useful information and comments about... Read More
Downers Grove limo Chicago ..This is the third in a series of articles highlighting... Read More
Buying Your PCBuying a PC that's right for you and... Read More
"Automated Testing" is automating the manual testing process currently in... Read More
With the bewildering number of digital cameras on the market,... Read More
With the new technology used to transfer information to from... Read More
File permissions are one of the strengths that the Unix... Read More
Cameras: still known for taking pictures but assumed as digital... Read More
IntroOne of the big advantages of PCs over earlier types... Read More
I met an entrepreneur who hole heartedly disagree with an... Read More
Computers are available in different shapes, sizes and weights, due... Read More
Everywhere you look today people are listening to personal audio... Read More
About mail-mergingMail-merging is the process of merging variable data and... Read More
Step 1:Open WinRAR and browse to the folder with your... Read More
Digital cameras ratings are great tools for deciding which camera... Read More
Feeling overwhelmed in selecting a new TV? With all the... Read More
One of the most common questions computer users ask is,... Read More
Computer is an electronic machine work on the instructions of... Read More
I recently took a good look at what was keeping... Read More
1. Before sitting down for coding, you must have formal... Read More
Microsoft Certifications are one of the most widely acclaimed, pursued,... Read More
The following practice, if done regularly, may help you to... Read More
Most people download and save so much information on their... Read More
Spyware is the software that collects information about your online... Read More
The technological horizon has always got something new to offer,... Read More
This is not your typical lost data story. I was... Read More
Personal Technology |