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Updated: 02/01/2021 by Computer Hope A digital camera is a hardware device that takes photographs and stores the image as data on a memory card. Unlike an analog camera, which exposes film chemicals to light, a digital camera uses digital optical components to register the intensity and color of light, and converts it into pixel data. Many digital cameras are capable of recording video in addition to taking photos. The picture is of a Lumix digital camera from Panasonic. Note A camera that is always connected to your computer with no storage could also be referred to as a digital camera. However, it is more appropriate to refer to this device as a webcam. Note A digital camera may be considered both an input and output device (I/O device) as it can both take pictures (input) and send them to your computer (output). Below are key advantages that make digital cameras a popular choice compared to film cameras. LCD screenThe rear-mounted LCD screen on a digital camera allows users to see their photos and videos immediately after they are taken. The LCD screen can also make it easier to frame your pictures. StorageA digital camera can store thousands of pictures, instead of only up to 36 pictures. Picture developmentDigital camera pictures can be developed like a standard film camera, but you can pick which pictures to develop instead of developing the whole roll of film. SizeBecause a digital camera does not need a place for film (not an SLR), it takes up far less space and can easily be carried in your pocket or purse. Digital camera picture qualityThe quality of pictures that a digital camera is capable of taking is primarily based on its megapixel rating. The higher the megapixels, the better the picture quality. For example, a 10 MP (megapixel) digital camera takes better pictures than a 7-megapixel digital camera. Other factors that affect picture quality include the type of camera lens, size of the lens (measured in millimeters), and type of camera itself. Lower cost digital cameras often feature a lower quality and standard size lens and provide minimal zoom capability. Higher priced, higher quality digital cameras include a better quality lens, possibly a larger size lens, and feature increased zoom capabilities. Some digital cameras, like a digital SLR camera, allow users to adjust lighting, aperture, shutter speed, and other settings, providing improved control over picture quality. These digital cameras also allow for accessory attachments to increase or decrease the size of a lens and length of zoom. History of the digital cameraAlthough the idea for a digital camera originated in 1961, the technology to create one didn't exist. The first digital camera was invented in 1975 by Steven Sasson, an engineer at Eastman Kodak. It primarily used a charge coupled device, a type of image sensor, but originally used a camera tube for image capture. That functionality was later digitized by Kodak. The first digital cameras were used by the military and for scientific purposes. Medical businesses and News reporting companies began to use digital cameras a few years later. Digital cameras did not become common consumer electronic devices until the mid-1990s. By the mid-2000s, digital cameras mostly replaced film cameras as the camera of choice by consumers. Camera, DCIM, Digital, Digital camcorder, Hardware terms, Image, Memory card, Photo, Redeye, Telephoto, Video, Viewfinder, Webcam
consists of programs designed to make users more productive and/or assist them with personal tasks
communications device (8)
a hardware component that enables a computer to send (transmit) and receive data, instructions, and information to and from one or more computers or mobile devices
an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory, that can accept data, process the data according to specific rules, produce results, and store the results for future use
involves having a current knowledge and understanding of computers and their uses
computer-aided manufacturing (38)
the use of computers to assist with manufacturing processes such as fabrication and assembly
a collection of unprocessed items, which can include text, numbers, images, audio, and video
a computer designed so that the system unit, input devices, output devices, and any other devices fit entirely on or under a desk or table
a device that allows users to take pictures and store the photographed images digitally, instead of on traditional film.
a handheld device that is used primarily for reading e-books
a special-purpose computer that functions as a component in a larger product
each employee or customer who uses a computer in an enterprise
a mobile computing device designed for single-player or multi-player video games
graphical user interface [GUI] (15)
used to interact with the software using text, graphics, and visual images such as icons
involves reducing the electricity consumed and environmental waste generated when using a computer
a computer small enough to fit in one hand
the electric, electronic, and mechanical components of a computer
each family member who spends time on the computer for different reasons that include personal financial management, Web access, communications, and entertainment
conveys meaning and is useful to people
any hardware component that allows you to enter data and instructions into a computer
the process of setting up software to work with the computer, printer, and other hardware
a worldwide collection of networks that connects millions of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals
a mobile device that can connect to the Internet wirelessly
laptop computer, notebook computer (20)
a portable, personal computer designed to fit on your lap
a large, expensive, powerful computer that can handle hundreds or thousands of connected users simultaneously
a personal computer you can carry from place to place
a computing device small enough to hold in your hand
anyone who works on a computer or mobile device while away from a main office, home office, or school
a collection of computers and devices connected together, often wirelessly, via communications devices and transmission media
when a computer connects to a network
where users can access account balances, pay bills, and copy monthly transactions from the bank's computer right into their personal computer
where investors buy and sell stocks and bonds—without using a broker
any hardware component that conveys information to one or more people
often looks like a smart phone and provides personal information management functions such as a calendar, an appointment book, an address book, a calculator, and a notepad
a computer that can perform all of its input, processing, output, and storage activities by itself
photo sharing community (14)
a specific type of social networking Web site that allows users to create an online photo album and store and share their digital photos
portable media player (23)
a mobile device on which you can store, organize, and play digital media
requires the capabilities of a workstation or other type of powerful computer
consists of a series of related instructions, organized for a common purpose, that tells the computer what tasks to perform and how to perform them
when a program is copied from storage to memory
controls access to the hardware, software, and other resources on a network and provides a centralized storage area for programs, data, and information
small office/home office (30)
includes any company with fewer than 50 employees, as well as the self-employed who work from home
an Internet-enables phone that usually provides personal information management functions such as a calendar, an appointment book, an address book, a calculator, and a notepad
social networking Web site (14)
an online community that encourages members to share their interests, ideas, stories, photos, music, and videos with other registered users
records (writes) and/or retrieves (reads) items to and from storage media
where a computer keeps data, instructions, and information
the fastest, most powerful computer—and the most expensive
consists of the programs that control or maintain the operations of the computer and it's devices
a case that contains the electronic components of the computer that are used to process data
a special type of notebook computer that you can interact with by touching the screen with your finger or a digital pen
a work arrangement in which employees work away from the company's standard workplace and often communicate with the office through the computer
anyone who communicates with a computer or utilizes the information it generates
video sharing community (14)
a type of social networking Web site that allows users to store and share their personal videos
contains billions of documents called Web pages
Web sites that provide a means for users to share personal information (such as social networking Web sites), allow users to modify contents (such as some blogs), and/or have software built into the site for users to access (such as Web applications)
a Web site that allows users to access and interact with software from any computer or device that is connected to the Internet
can contain text, graphics, animation, audio, and video
a collection of related Web pages |