The Technology Behind Digital Cameras
The Technology Behind Digital Cameras
Technology has revolutionized the concept of capturing live
images. The earlier concept of producing permanent photograph
was based on pure chemistry. In 1830, Louis Daguerre, devised
the first practical way of producing permanent photographs.
Today we are talking about the computerized photo imagery in the
filmless picture taken by a device that is smart in electronic
intelligence and in appearance - digital camera.
A digital camera takes video, still photographs, or both
digitally. It records images on a light sensitive sensor.
Instead of using a film, an arrangement of charged-coupled
devices-light sensitive semiconductors, which stores electrical
charges,-does the job. These digital sensors-composed of pixels
-transform the light from the scene snapped into an analog
signal which is then converted into a digital version. One
electronic filtering system regulates color and other picture
components. Another system reduces the picture. The image is
finally sent to a temporary storage area and ultimately onto a
memory card. Many compact digital cameras can record sound,
video and still photographs.
The images are transferred to a computer where they can be
modified, printed, attached to email, inserted in web pages,
etc. The most significant advantages of a digital camera are its
memory capacity and ability to screen the images taken on a tiny
video monitor.
The technology of the digital camera relates to the same
technology of Video Tape Recorder. The first VTR in 1951
captured images from the television by converting the
information into electrical impulses (digital) and subsequently
saving them onto magnetic tape. It was in 1960s when NASA had
made a major breakthrough by converting analog to digital
signals by means of the space probe for mapping the surface of
the moon. Also digital imaging had its other uses in spy
satellites.
Kodak scientists invented the first mega pixel sensor capable
of recording 1.4 million pixels. In 1991, Kodak released the
first digital camera system- a Nikon F-3 camera equipped with
1.3 megapixels aimed at journalists. The first digital camera
for the consumers which worked with a home PC via a serial cable
were the Apple Quick Take 100 camera(1994)
camera(1995)
Sony`s Cyber-Shot Digital Still Camera(1996)
The main features of a digital camera can be summarized as
follows:
Resolution: Resolution means sharpness of a picture. The higher
the number of pixels, the higher is the resolution.
Memory: The pictures are stored like a data file in a digital
camera. The size of the memory determines the number of picture
which can be taken, stored and downloaded in the computer.
Flash Type: Most digital cameras have a built in flash of a
range around 10 -16 feet which is required to provide extra
light needed to take photographs in insufficient light.
Optical Zoom: Normally two types of zoom lenses are used viz.,
digital and optical. The optical zoom lenses serve more purpose
like adding detail and sharpness.
Compression: This process helps to reduce the file size.
Lens: The length of a lens determines how much of a scene will
fit into a picture.
LCD Screen: A very interesting feature of a digital camera is
the LCD screen which permits one to see what the photo will look
like before and after taking photographs, leaving room to decide
whether to erase or save the photo.
In the market there are several brands of digital camera which
are selling successfully and the continuous improvement in
Technology is leading way to introduction of more and more
exciting features in the digital camera.
About The Author: This article can also be accessed in
portuguese language from the Article section of page
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Sedycias works as IT consultant for
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