Image Stabilisation in Digital Cameras
March 18, 2010
Image Stabilization feature in digital cameras is also known as the anti-shake or the vibration reduction feature. This technology prevents digital photos from blurs. Camera shakes that are caused by hand movements or slow shutter speeds or the usage of long telephoto lens without the tripod are all reduced by the Image Stabilization feature. This feature is generally found in the consumer digital cameras that come with long telephoto lenses. However, increasingly, it is found in cameras that have short focal lengths. It is also found in some DSLR camera bodies and the interchangeable lenses that go with it.
Optical Image Stabilization is much more preferable than digital image stabilization. Dual image stabilization combines simply the optical image stabilization and manual controls to ISO. Image Stabilization feature helps photographers to capture hand held shots at a speed of about two stops much slower than without it. But one has to note that if the main subject itself is moving, the image stabilization feature does not prevent blur. Digital Cameras with optical image stabilization have an in-built gyro sensor as well as a microprocessor for detecting camera shakes as they occur. The stabilizer does the compensation for any kind of camera movement. Digital image stabilization does not involve any hardware and simply boosts the camera sensitivity for obtaining faster shutter speeds.
However, in recent times, Fujifilm's Triple Image Stabilization feature claims to reduce all blurs that is caused by the moving subjects. No doubt, other manufacturers also will follow suit soon. Though some users report of getting sharper images when image stabilization is turned off, in such cases it is assumed that shutter speeds are fast enough for preventing camera shakes. Still, in actual practice, the preferences and results may vary.
DSLR Camera Technology
March 15, 2010
DSLR stands for digital single lens reflex. DSLR cameras are enabled with lenses which make use of a mirror system as well as a prism that is mechanically controlled, and, allows the exposure of light to the camera's image sensor only during the exposure period right after the click of the shutter. Digital SLR cameras are generally preferred by those professional photographers because they go on to feature interchangeable lenses as well as the accurate portrayal of what shots will look like. Overall, DSLR cameras, through mechanical means, establish control when light hits the image sensor.
A vast majority of DSLR camera lenses belong to the 35mm variety and their basic architecture is the same as the film camera lenses. The difference, therefore, lies in their unique ability to control the aperture electronically through the manual controls of the digital camera. Of course, digital cameras are very demanding such as high costs and the need for buying different lenses meant for different purposes. Though the cost of entry level DSLRs run into just a few hundreds, the cost of the high end professional models may run into thousands.
One of the defining characteristics possessed by a DSLR camera is its rather unique ability to change the lens. Since the camera's lens goes on to play a vital role in terms of capturing images, having the ability to swap the lens gives the DSLR much more flexibility as well as versatility, thus, image capture is made useful with a wide variety of tasks and photographic styles. The other major benefit in having a DSLR camera is its creative shooting capabilities with its varied manual controls.
3D Digital Camera Technology
March 5, 2010
Though the 3D digital camera technology seems like an advanced idea straight from science fiction, the fact is that this concept has already been commissioned. Mainly because, the technology is very much more simpler than most people seem to understand. 3D, as many people know, though not exactly a conjuring trick, is in fact, an optical illusion on your eyes involving three dimensions. Simply put, a 3D camera uses the same mechanism as that of our very own eyes for capturing images from two angles. Thus, a 3D camera comes with two lenses and sensors that go on to capture the same photo shot from two different angles as such, similar to angles with which our eyes go on to perceive things. Here, we are talking about a right eye image capture and a left eye image capture and when the images are displayed individually to each eye, what you really get to see is the illusion of depth, the 3D image.
Though you can capture an image or take the same shot from two different angles and get the 3D effect by making use of a digital camera, the results, most probably, may be very feeble and below par. Therefore, you need a 3D camera for snapping up proper 3D images. Although only a very few 3D digital cameras are available for consumers in the camera market as such, as days go by, with 3D photography becoming more and more popular, you can expect more such cameras in the near future.
The Fuji W1, the first ever 3D digital camera to be launched, is a stereoscopic 3D model that has been unveiled by Fujifilm with more majors such as Sony, Nikon, Canon and the likes very likely to join the bandwagon. Over the years, digital camera technology has seen remarkable developments and whirlwind accelerations, thus, has grown by leaps and bounds. The future of 3D images comprise of elements such as 3D digital photo frames and the 3D prints too. With films such as AVATAR opening up options, the 3D world is currently undergoing a massive expansion with the launch of 3D televisions and therefore 3D digital cameras are only bound to add sheen to the entire 3D scenario.
Light Metering Systems in Digital Cameras
March 3, 2010
Light metering systems in a digital camera determines the exposure settings under different lighting situations. Metering systems also tell us about the availablility of light. An understanding of the light metering systems in digital cameras is very important in order to evaluate scenes and also to determine the exposure controls. This will definitely help in creating special visual effects by deliberate under exposure or over exposure. For example, while shooting in snow, the exposure metering systems will display a bluish grey tinge of colour to the snow. In order to avoid this and get the white coloured snow in your photograph, you need to give much more exposure than what the meter recommends.
Many digital cameras offer many choices in metering methods in terms of lighting as well as creative effects too. Each frame is broken down into separate segments and also the brightness levels are measured separately. You get optimum effects in scenes with wide brightness ranges. The metering system in your digital camera concentrates its measuring prowess towards quite a small area that is represented as a centre spot in the viewfinder frame. Optimum use of the exposure controls will produce more accurate readings. Metering systems in digital cameras measure the quantity of light and then calculates the best fitting exposure value. Almost all digital cameras have the standard automatic exposure feature. Its metering mode ensures correct exposure levels, most of the time. Metering systems are broadly classified into the centre weighted average type and spot metering type.
The Zone system makes you understand as well as control the light and dark levels to the best of your advantage. Also, it focuses more on the response time of digital cameras to different dark and light levels. The Zone system allows you to concentrate upon the making of great images instead of having to worry about the routine things such as exposure and technique. It also allows for getting the right levels of exposure almost every time without guessing. Shutter speed denotes the shutter opening time during exposure. Aperture refers to the variable opening of the lens that admits light. Film speed is the measure of the film's light sensitivity. Exposure denotes the total amount of light reaching the film. Overall, light metering systems play a vital role in the image capture function of all digital cameras.
LCD Screens in Digital Cameras
March 2, 2010
Liquid Crystal Display or the LCD, is the technology that is used for creating embedded screens at the back of almost all digital cameras. In a digital camera, the LCD screen is used for displaying menu options, reviewing photos and also functioning as a live viewfinder. Today, even the inexpensive digital cameras come with full colour LCD screens. Though some of the beginner level digital cameras do not come with separate viewfinders, the LCD itself doubles up as the viewfinder at all times. The LCD screen sharpness depends mainly upon the LCD screen's number of pixels count. LCDs are also present in digital photo frames with the LCD screen being present inside and displaying digital photos.
The LCD screen does the primary function of framing shots. The general trend today is that many of the digital cameras that come with large LCDs, do not come with viewfinders any longer. The LCD is also used for previewing photos and monitoring the settings. You can also view the menus as well as the settings for reviewing recorded images in the playback mode. The LCD display gives you a 100% view of the framed shot.
Digital Cameras come with special menu options for adjusting the LCD contrast as well as brightness. Many advanced digital cameras feature LCDs that can be tilted, twisted and swiveled in a variety of angles, and is of high utility for macro photography situations and also for framing shots that are shot at difficult angles. The LCD screen can also be flipped over for the protection of its surface while not in usage. Though bright lighting conditions can hamper your view, LCDs, over the years, have not only become bigger and larger, but have also improved significantly in terms of colour, resolution and the overall quality.
