Mode dial
Change the settings on the camera using the
mode dial
Shutter release
This button is used to take the picture. On
most cameras, pressing it halfway in Auto will focus the image
Lens
The light enters the camera here. Lenses
can be changed on some camera models
Hotshoe
The hotshoe allows you to attach an
external flash to the camera
Lens release
Press this button to remove the lens from
your camera
Flash
If your camera has an on-board flash, press
this button to use it
Menu
For options such as formatting your memory
card
Viewfinder
An optical viewfinder shows the image
through the lens
Zoom
Zoom in on your image to check it’s in
focus
Controls
Use the control panel to change settings,
scroll through menu options or move around a photo when in Playback mode
LCD screen
Displays an electronic view of the scene in
front of the lens
Different types of camera
Don't know a superzoom from a CSC? Read on…
Interchangeable lens
Refers to DSLR cameras and Compact System
Cameras (CSC) as they both offer the ability to switch lenses
Pros...
·
Great image quality
·
Fast shooting speed
·
Manual and Auto
Cons...
·
Can be expensive
·
Can be complex
·
Can be heavy
Fixed lens
Includes compact cameras and superzooms. As
the name suggests, the lens cannot be changed making them simpler
Pros...
·
Easy to use
·
Light and versatile
·
Lots of features
Cons...
·
Fewer manual options
·
Can be slow
·
Less adaptable
Cameraphones/ smartphones
The main contenders are currently Apple’s
iPhone and the Android Smartphone. You can buy accessories and apps for
achieving different effects
Pros...
·
Light and compact
·
Cool app add-ons
·
Share instantly
Cons...
·
Small lens and sensor
·
Flattens perspective
·
Fewer features
Camera icons explained
Make sure your camera is always on the
correct setting by following this guide
If you’re using a compact camera, then most
of your controls will be on the back. A DSLR or Compact System Camera will
usually have a mode dial on top. Either way, the icons for setting the camera
to shoot in different conditions and for basic operation such as deleting
images are usually universal
Auto
If all else fails, let your camera do the
hard work for you
Landscape
Boosts saturation in blues and greens for
vivid outdoor shots
Program
Customise your most used settings in
Program
Shutter priority
Select the shutter speed and the camera
will change the aperture
Aperture
Select the aperture while the camera
chooses shutter speed
Portrait
For super-flattering shots of your friends
and family
Sports
Uses a fast shutter speed to capture action
without blur
Macro
For shooting close-ups such as flowers and
insect
Jargon buster
Aperture
Affects the amount of your image that is
in focus - the ‘depth of field’
CSC
Compact system camera
DSLR
Digital single lens reflex camera
Drive mode
Continuous or burst mode, single shot and
self timer
Dynamic range
The term used to refer to the amount of
detail in the highlights and shadows
Exposure
A balanced exposure has detail in light
and shadow areas alike
Exposure compensation
Adjusts the tonal range of your photo,
lighter or darker
Focal lengths
Wide-angle - a wider angle of view than
normal, eg 28mm Telephoto - a magnified view of distant subjects, eg 200mm
Focus
Autofocus means your camera focuses for
you; manual puts you in control
ISO
Refers to how sensitive the sensor is to
light and affects the visible grain or ‘noise’ in a photo
LCD
The display screen on the rear of the
camera used to compose images
Live view
An electronic view of the scene in front
of the lens
Metering
Refers to the way the camera reads the
light in the scene
Megapixels
Number of pixels on the sensor, in
millions
Noise
Refers to the visible digital grain in a
photo
Shutter speed
Fast speeds freeze action while longer
ones blur any motion
Viewfinder
Optical - shows you the view through the
camera lens and is good for accurate framing Electronic - shows the view on
an LCD in the viewfinder
White balance
Affected by the ambient light around you,
your camera can alter this to ensure a natural colour result
Zoom
Optical - the magnification provided by
the camera lens Digital - a camera crop factor
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