Whether you've just bought a digital camera or are in the market for one, you'll learn the basics of buying and using a digicam in this introductory primer on digital photography.
Digital photos vs film
In this section, you'll learn how digital photography differs from film photography. Since most people have used a film camera before, let's start out with a quick summary of the difference between a digital camera and a film camera.
If you're used to shooting with a film camera, you'll notice some differences when you switch to a digital model.
Here's a quick summary:
Powering the camera
| Film | Takes disposable batteries that require infrequent replacement. |
| Digital | Takes one or more of a variety of battery types — both disposable and rechargeable — that require frequent replacement or recharging. |
Recording pictures
The CCD chip inside your digital camera captures images as though it were film — however this "film" can be reused over and over again.
| Film | Uses film, which comes in various frame sizes and different sensitivities to light. |
| Digital | Uses a fixed, light-sensitive, silicon chip that comes in two varieties: CCD or CMOS. This chip determines the frame size and the light sensitivity of the camera. You can simulate the effects of using different types of film via settings within the camera. |
Framing shots
Some cameras have LCDs that flip out and/or twist, to help you frame difficult shots.
| Film | Uses an optical viewfinder that shows 97 to 100 per cent of the scene. |
| Digital | Uses an optical viewfinder, as well as an LCD that displays 100 per cent of the scene. But an LCD can be hard to see in bright light and uses a lot of battery power. Many cameras substitute the optical viewfinder with the kind of electronic viewfinder (EVF) that is used on camcorders. Photographers who are used to optical viewfinders don't always like EVFs, so try before you buy. |
Snapping shots
| Film | Instantaneous capture. |
| Digital | Varies wildly, depending upon image size, file format, media type, memory available for temporary storage, sensor type, and speed of autofocus. |
Storing pictures
| Film | Stores images directly on the capture medium (film), which is single-use and supplies a fixed number of frames per roll. |
| Digital | Stores images as digital files on reusable memory cards or discs, both of which come in various capacities and can hold a variable number of frames per card. |
Digital photo file types
| JPEG | Small and fast for capture but has file compression that may introduce artefacts that degrade image quality. |
| RAW | Smaller than TIFFs and more flexible for post-capture retouching. Not offered on all cameras, and special software is required to read them. |
| TIFF | Large files that can slow down your shooting and fill up your media but have no compression artefacts. |
Displaying pictures
Digital camera LCDs allow you to view all the images you've taken.
| Film | Aside from a few Advanced Photo System consumer models, it can't display shots until after developing. Once film is developed, you can scan the photos or negatives to display on a monitor or a TV. |
| Digital | Plays back images on the LCD. In addition, many cameras allow you to connect to a TV for group viewing. You can also upload the pictures to an online photo-album site to share with the geographically remote. |
Printing pictures
Unlike with film cameras, you can print digital photos at home.
| Film | Deliver to a photo finisher in order to get prints or digital files. |
| Digital | You can download image files to your computer for printing on your home printer, or, if you have a compatible printer, you can attach your camera directly to it. Another option is getting traditional silver-halide prints from an online service or a local photo finisher who accepts digital files. |
Nelsonian
02/07/2008 06:35 PM
Hello Helen, Thank-you, Merci, Grazzi!! At last! An article about Digital Cameras and other related basic information, presented in a simple, concise, well written and easily understood manner, that really gives me the confidence and desire to go out and invest in a camera that will suit my needs. No 'techno-geeky' jargon here or pressure to consider any favoured brand; just plain, honest comment that won't turn your brain to egg omelette. A refreshing change that will encourage many to buy, and start off on a new photographic hobby....not just snapshots!
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