Chapter 1. What Is It?
A Tour of Your Digital Camera Camera makers have packed amazing capability into today's digital picture takers. The camera that you have in your hands, or the one that you're considering buying, probably has more ability than you realize. The trick is, how do you discover that hidden potential? The first steps are to become familiar with your camera's components, and then to learn exactly what they do. This chapter helps you do just that. It explains the important components and features that will set you on the path to mastering your digital camera. If you're just getting started with digital photography, this information can also help you pick the right model. I like to divide digital cameras into four broad categories: compact, advanced amateur, professional, and hybrid. As you progress through the first three categories, you'll find that the tools become more sophisticated. The fourth category, hybrid, is an example of how digital imaging is converging with other technologies. These devices can be quite useful, but they won't usually serve as your primary camera. We'll begin with an overview of the features and components that are commonly found in compact digital cameras. I spend more time on the compact because it is the camera that I think every photographer from first-time beginner to seasoned pro should have in his or her bag of tricks, regardless of what other tools you use. In many ways, the compact camera defines digital photography itself. It is powerful, yet easy to use. Later in the chapter, we'll spend some time with the more advanced camera categories. This is where I discuss image sensors, lens specifications, and other components. If you enjoy technical talk, then you'll like the latter half of the chapter. If not, read the compact camera section and jump to Chapter 2. No matter what your level of interest is, I have lots here for you to explore. |
