aperture
An adjustable piece of equipment inside a camera that lies between the lens. and shutter. Light comes through the lens, gets funneled through the aperture that has been selected, and then recorded by the image sensor. The smaller the aperture opening, the less light strikes the sensor.

autofocus
In this mode the camera automatically focuses the camera lens.

black and white mode
Some cameras offer a shooting mode that enable the user to take black and white pictures.

BMP
(Windows Bitmap) This common file format is used to describe graphic files that are essentially not compressed. Wallpaper images used on a Windows opening screen are most often BMP files.

CD-ROM
Compact Disk Read Only Memory allows you only to read what is on the compact disk.

compactflash(r) card
Is a proprietary name for describing flash memory.

continuous capture mode
In this shooting mode the user can take successive shots by holding down the shutter button. This mode is especially effective in an action situation.

Digital Photo Activity Kit(tm)
Software designed for kids to create projects using their digital images.

digital zoom
The camera uses software rather than a true optical lens to zoom in on a subject. The camera discards pixels on the edge of the picture and enlarges the center subject area.

DPOF
(Digital Print Order Format) This features lets you tag your photos on the camera’s removable memory. When you decide to have digital prints made at a photo kiosk or store, the DPOF information automatically tells your photofinisher which images to print and how many.

exposure compensation
A camera’s auto functioning will set lighting for a shot based on an average reading. If the target subject is much lighter or darker, it may come out under- or over-exposed. Most cameras allow the photographer to override the auto function and set lighting and exposure settings themselves.

fill flash
Also called Flash On, this camera mode fires a flash in any lighting condition, even bright sun.

flash memory
After a photo is taken, it is stored in the camera as electronic data. The most common storage media is called flash memory. A flash memory card can be the size of a stamp or look like a stick of chewing gum, but inside the camera, all flash memory devices operate in the same manner.

GIF
(Graphics Interchange Format) A file format developed by CompuServe specifically for graphic data. GIF reduces image size without losing important data. GIF and JPEG files are the most widely used file formats on the Web. Both are compatible with Mac and Windows operating systems.

interpolate
the process used in digital zooming to add pixels using color and brightness information in the original image. Designed to guess or estimate a better image resolution, interpolation produces a lower-quality image than optical zooming.

JPEG
(Joint Photographic Experts Group) When a digital camera takes a photo, it saves the image into an electronic image file. The most common image file is a JPEG. Because JPEG files compress data, these files take up less space on storage media than uncompressed image files.

landscape mode
A shooting mode that enables the photographer to capture panoramic, scenic views and distant objects.

macro mode
Set this camera mode to get very close to your subject, usually within a few inches.

megapixel
Refers to digital cameras that offer one million pixel capacity or more.

optical disk
Some digital camera models record images directly onto mini-CDs that can be read by a computer’s CD-ROM drive. These optical disks offer convenience and huge amounts of memory for little money. Optical disks can not be reused.

panoramic mode
lets you line up several consecutive shots to “stitch’ together when you edit your photos.

pixel
(Picture Element) A digital image is made up of tiny packets of electronic information that are called pixels.

portrait mode
a shooting mode that highlights the subject sharp and clear, while fading out the background.

red-eye reduction
Using a flash can cause subjects in the final print to have red eyes. This is caused by the reflection of the flash burst on the iris of the eye. Many cameras have a red eye reduction feature that fires a “mini” flash of light to fool the iris into closing a bit before the real flash fires. This reduces but does not eliminate red eye. Most photo editing programs have tools to cover up red eye.

RGB
A term for the mixing of red, green, and blue light in color imagery.

serial cable
A specialized cable for transferring digital data between peripherals.

TIFF
(Tagged Image File Format) describes a type of electronic image file. Unlike the more common JPEG file, a TIFF file does not compress the image data and therefore has all the detail initially captured by the camera. Because it does not compress data, a TIFF file uses significant storage space and takes longer for the camera to store.

Twain
A software program that allows your image editor to access your photos.

USB port
A digital port for connecting devices (i.e. computers, cameras, scanners, printers) using a USB cable. Using a USB port is 40 times faster than a serial port connection.

AC adapter
Some digital cameras offer an AC power option as well a battery option. AC adaptors enable the user to plug their cameras into electrical current for power, when not in the field.

autoflash
A feature that automatically fires the flash whenever the camera perceives a need for more light.

AVI
(Audio Video Interleaved) a file format indicating video data.

blast mode
Set blast mode to take several images in quick succession.

CD-R
Compact Disk Recordable format allows you to record data on a compact disk.

CD-RW
Compact Disk Rewrite format allows you to write over data that you have already recorded.

compression
A large number of pixels results in a high resolution image, but requires more computer space to store. Compression describes a software process for eliminating some of the electronic data in order to reduce the amount of space needed to store, send or publish the data.

depth of field
Describes the area of the image to be photographed that is in acceptable focus.

digital zoom
The camera uses software rather than a true optical lens to zoom in on a subject. The camera discards pixels on the edge of the picture and enlarges the center subject area.

DPI
(dots per inch) A measure of the resolution of a printer or a scanner.

DVD
Digital Video Disk

file format
Every file in your computer has a particular name and after the name a file extension such as JPEG or GIF. These extensions are called file formats and indicate what type of data is stored in the file.

fixed focus
With a fixed focus setting, your camera automatically focuses the picture. You will not be able to adjust the focus.

focal length
A focal length sets the field of view your camera offers and is dependent on the camera lens. Low end cameras give you one choice. If you want the subject to be bigger or smaller, you will need to physically move closer or further from your subject. The more expensive the camera, the greater will be the focal length choices.

infrared transfer
An IrDA post allows you to transfer files via an infrared light beam from camera port to computer port without using a cable.

ISO setting
Indicates how sensitive a film is to light. The higher the rating, such as 400, the more sensitive to light. Although ISO was developed for film cameras, as a rating system for light sensitivity, the terminology is also used by digital cameras. Mid range cameras might have a 100 ISO setting. The higher end camera may have a range from 50 to 400 or even more.

lag time
Unlike conventional cameras, digital cameras have a lag time between when the shutter is pressed and when the picture is captured. There is also a lag time while the camera stores the image in memory.

LCD
(Liquid Crystal Display) Monitors on digital cameras use LCD technology to enable users to view pictures.

manual focus
Allows the photographer to set the focus for a particular distance.

Memory Stick
Sony’s name for its proprietary flash memory. A MemoryStick is about the size of a stick of gum and slides into the camera. Like all flash memory, the MemoryStick is reusable. See Flash Memory for more details.

optical zoom
An optical zoom brings the subject closer before recording the image on a digital sensor or film. In contrast, a digital zoom manipulates the image after it has been taken using software. An optical zoom gives higher-quality results than a digital zoom.

PICT
When a digital camera takes a photo, it saves the image into an electronic graphics file. A PICT file is a native graphics format for Macintosh computers.

point-and-shoot camera
An easy to use camera that offers maximum automation and few options for picture taking.

PPI
(pixels per inch) defines the quality of an image’s resolution. Images on the Web require only a low resolution 72 to 86 ppi. A high quality photo would require a much greater resolution or higher ppi.

resolution
The more pixels per square inch in a digital image, the better the quality of the picture. The crispness of a picture or its resolution is a function of the number of pixels per square inch. Photos for Web postings require a resolution of 72 ppi, much lower than the 300 ppi needed for print photos.

self-timer mode
This feature enables the user to set the camera to take a delayed picture. The self-timer mode enables the user to have enough time to get in the picture.

serial port
A port for connecting devices (i.e. computers, cameras, scanners, printers) using a serial cable. A serial port transfers data approximately 40 times slower than a USB connection.

tripod
a stationary mount that attaches to a camera and holds it steady for more accurate picture taking.

USB cable
(Universal Serial Bus) A specialized cable for the fast transfer of digital data between peripherals.

white balance
Digital cameras usually enable the user to adjust for ambient light conditions using a white balance feature. Most cameras have an automatic white balance mode for daylight, cloudy, tungsten or fluorescent lighting.