The following are some common digital camera terms
Artifacts
Meaning distortions of an image produced by either the image sensor (CCD/CMOS) and/or optical system, internal image processing algorithms or compression algorithm (JPEG).
Colour spaces
Describe how the red, green and blue primaries are mixed to form a given hue in the colour spectrum.
Dynamic Range
The ratio between the brightest and darkest recordable parts of an image or scene.
Blooming
Each pixel (photosite) on a digital camera sensor (CCD/CMOS) has a limit as to how much charge it can store. Blooming (or Streaking) is the name given to an overflow of charge from an oversaturated pixel (photosite) to the next on the sensor.
Interpolation
Interpolation (sometimes called resampling) is an imaging method for increasing the size of a digital image.
Metering
The metering system in a digital camera is the system which measures the amount of light (EV value, exposure value) in the current frame and calculates the best-fit (depending on metering mode - below) exposure.
Charge-coupled device
The light-sensitive chip that digital cameras use to capture images.
Focal length
Measure of viewing angle of a lens. For instance, wide-angle lenses that capture broader vistas have lower focal lengths than telephotos.
F-stop
The measure of the aperture opening of a lens. For example, lower f-stops means larger apertures which imply better light-gathering ability and and good for dim lighting.
White balane
A setting which tints an image to compensate for subtle differences in the color of ambient light.
Viewfinder
An eyepiece on digital camera through which you can see an approximate view of the image that you will capture through the lens.
Zoom lens
A variable focal length lens. Most digital camera has a 3:1 ratio (i.e. 35-105mm).
ZLR
It stands for Zoom Lens Reflex, Olympus has coined the term to describe their fixed mount lens SLR type cameras. Unlike SLR camera, a ZLR has a non-removeable zoom lens.
XGA
Means that an image has resolution size of 1024 x 768 pixels.
xD-Picture Card
A new flash memory card standard that was co-developed by Fujifilm and Olympus in mid-2002.
X3 Image Sensor
New image sensor for digital cameras from Foveon that captures red, green and blue data at every pixel.
Wide angle
The focal length that has the widest angle of coverage.
Vignetting
It means the darkening of the outer edges of the image area due to the use of a filter or add-on lens, especially when the zoom lens is in full wideangle.
Video Out
The ability to output its images on television screens and monitors using either NTSC or PAL format.
VGA
Means an image resolution size of 640 x 480 pixels.
UXGA
Means an image resolution size of 1600 x 1200 pixels.
UV Filter
UltraViolet absorbing filter that helps overcome the abundance of blue in outdoor photographs.
USB 2.0
The latest USB standard, close in throughput speed to FireWire now. Up to 400MB/s.
USB
It stands for Universal Serial Bus - the data I/O port on most digicams and found on modern PC and Mac computers. Up to 12MB/s with v1.1 interfaces.
Unsharp Masking
A process to increase the apparent detail of an image; normally accomplished through computer manipulation or by the input scanner.
Underexposure
Because of insufficient light was delivered to the imaging system, a picture appears too dark. Opposite of overexposure.
TWAIN
It stands for "Technology Without An Industry Name. A Protocol for exchanging information between applications and devices such as scanners and digital cameras. Without this protol, digicams and pcs won't be able to talk.
P.S. This is only some of the digital camera terms that are used in the specfications of a digital camera, actually there
are much more terms than this list.
Last update April 25, 2003.
