Digital camera

A digital camera, also called a digicam, is a camera that uses digital storage to capture pictures. Most cameras made after the year 2000 are digital. They have mostly replaced older cameras that used photographic film or film stock.

Many digital cameras are now built into mobile devices like smartphones. But professionals often still use special, high-end digital cameras.

Digital cameras usually have a lens that can change size to control light. The camera’s shutter helps decide how much light gets in. Digital cameras can show pictures on a screen right after they are taken. Users can easily save or delete photos. These cameras can also record videos with sound.

Some digital cameras can crop and stitch pictures, and do other kinds of image editing.

History

Further information: History of the camera § Digital cameras, Digital imaging, Digital single-lens reflex camera, and Camera phone

The first device that could save pictures as computer files was made in 1969. It was called a charge-coupled device, or CCD. This invention let scientists and engineers create new ways to take pictures using computers instead of film.

In the 1990s, digital cameras began showing up in stores. One of the first was made by Fujifilm in 1988. These old cameras stored pictures on special cards you could put in them. Later, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, cameras were added to mobile phones. This made it simple for people to take and share photos any time they wanted. Today, most phones have cameras built in, and many people use them instead of separate digital cameras.

Image sensors

Further information: Image sensor

Digital cameras use special parts called image sensors to take pictures. There are two main types: CCD and CMOS. CMOS sensors use less power than CCD sensors. Some cameras use a special kind of CMOS sensor called BSI-CMOS, which is found in small sensors. The way the camera works with the image is more important for picture quality than the type of sensor used.

The resolution of a digital camera depends on its image sensor, which changes light into signals. The sensor’s pixels — tiny points that catch light — decide how many details the camera can record. For example, a sensor that is 1,000 by 1,000 pixels can capture 1,000,000 pixels, or 1 megapixel. Some cameras let you choose a lower resolution to save space, such as 640×480 pixels, which is 0.3 megapixels. This can help when you want to take many pictures without running out of storage.

An image’s sharpness depends on many things, including the camera’s resolution, lens, and settings. Higher resolution usually means sharper images, but lighting and how the picture is processed also matter.

Types of digital cameras

Digital cameras come in many sizes and prices. There are everyday cameras and special ones like multispectral imaging tools and astrographs used for science.

Compacts

Compact cameras are small and easy to carry. They are good for taking quick "snapshots". Many have a zoom lens to get closer to things. Most work automatically, but some let you change settings. They usually have a small flash and a screen to see your pictures. Almost all can also record video.

Rugged compacts

Rugged compact cameras can work in tough places like water or cold weather. They can still take pictures and videos even when things get rough.

Action cameras

GoPro and other brands make action cameras. These are small and tough cameras meant to be attached to helmets or bikes. They can take pictures and videos, often with sound.

360-degree cameras

Main article: 360-degree camera

A 360-degree camera can take pictures or videos in every direction using two lenses. Some popular models are Ricoh Theta S, Nikon Keymission 360, and Samsung Gear 360.

Bridge cameras

Main article: Bridge camera

Bridge cameras look like professional cameras but are smaller. They can zoom far and often have special features like image stabilization.

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras

Main article: Mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera

These cameras, called mirrorless, don’t need a mirror. They show what the sensor sees on a screen. They can be small or large, with different-sized sensors.

Digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLR)

Main article: Digital single-lens reflex camera

DSLRs use a mirror to show you what the lens sees. When you press the button, the mirror moves so the sensor can take the picture.

View cameras

Main article: View camera

In 2019, Phase One made digital camera backs with very high resolution.

Digital Still Cameras (DSC)

Digital Still Camera (DSC), like Sony DSC models, are simple cameras that don’t use a mirror. They often give better quality.

Fixed-mirror DSLT cameras

Cameras with fixed mirrors, called DSLT cameras, like Sony SLT cameras, don’t need to move a mirror. This lets them keep focusing while you take pictures quickly.

Digital rangefinders

Main article: Rangefinder camera § Digital rangefinder

A rangefinder helps a camera focus by measuring distance. Most digital cameras focus by looking at the image they’re about to take.

Line-scan camera systems

Main article: line-scan camera

A line-scan camera has one row of sensors. It’s often used in factories or satellites to take pictures.

Superzoom cameras

See also: List of superzoom cameras

Superzoom cameras can zoom in very far with their lenses.

Light-field camera

These special cameras record not just brightness but also the direction of the light. This gives extra information about the scene.

Event camera

These cameras notice when light changes quickly. They catch exact moments with precise timing.

Integration into other devices

Many devices, like smartphones, mobile phones, PDAs, and laptops, have built-in digital cameras. These cameras usually save pictures in the JPEG format. Cameras in Apple's iPhone line have used the HEIC format since 2017.

Camera phones were first made in Japan in 2001 by J-Phone. By 2003, camera phones sold more than standalone digital cameras. By 2006, they sold more than both film and digital standalone cameras. Five billion camera phones were sold in five years. By 2007, more than half of all mobile phones had cameras. Sales of separate cameras reached their highest point in 2008.

Notable digital camera manufacturers

Main article: List of digital camera brands

Many companies make digital cameras, often called DSLRs. Each company has its own goals and special features that make their cameras unique. Most cameras share common tools, but some focus on details like how the camera looks or the picture quality.

Market trends

Traditional digital cameras are not selling as much anymore because many people use smartphones to take photos. Smartphones make it easy to share pictures online. Some cameras, called "bridge cameras," still sell well because they have special features like zooming that most phone cameras do not have.

In the past, companies made cameras that worked like smartphones. For example, in 2012, Nikon and Samsung made cameras that could run apps and connect to the internet, just like phones. Some phone makers also made phones with very advanced cameras, mixing phone features with camera features. Overall, the number of digital cameras sold has gone down a lot since 2011, as more people use their phones instead.

Connectivity

Many digital cameras can connect to a computer to share pictures. Older cameras used a special connection called a serial port. Now, most cameras use USB. USB works like a tiny storage drive. Some cameras also have wireless connections, such as Bluetooth or Wi‑Fi. These let you send pictures to a phone or computer without wires. Smartphones can also share pictures using wireless networks or special services online.

You can print pictures straight from a camera using a special printing system. Some cameras even have a built‑in printer to make instant photos. Many cameras can show pictures on a television using special connections like HDMI. This makes it easy to share photos with family and friends.

Weather-sealing and waterproofing

Cameras can have special coatings to protect them from water, dust, and sand. This helps keep the camera safe when it gets wet or dirty. Some cameras can even go underwater for a little while without getting damaged. These cameras can also be tough enough to handle drops and cold weather.

To go deeper underwater, some cameras can be put inside a special waterproof case. One example is the Olympus 'Tough' series of small cameras.

Modes

Many digital cameras have special settings called modes. These help you take better photos by changing things like how bright the photo is or how much of the background is in focus.

For example, a portrait setting can blur the background to make the person stand out.

Some cameras also have special modes for different situations, like taking pictures of landscapes or sports. These modes help the camera choose the best settings automatically.

Main article: Modes

Image data storage

Many camera phones and digital cameras save pictures on special memory cards or other removable media. Most cameras use SD cards, but some use CompactFlash, CFexpress, or other types.

The most common way to save pictures is called JPEG. Other ways to save pictures include TIFF, HEIF, and Raw image formats.

Batteries

Digital cameras have become smaller, so they need small batteries that still provide enough power. Most cameras today use special lithium-ion batteries made by the camera company. Some cameras can also use standard AA batteries, which you can buy from any store.

Some cameras use special batteries made just for that camera, while others can use common batteries like AA. These common batteries can be used once and thrown away, or they can be recharged and used again.

Conversion of film cameras to digital

When digital cameras became popular, many people asked if their old film cameras could be changed to digital. For most regular 35 mm film cameras, this was not possible. It was too expensive and complicated.

Some early professional cameras, like the Kodak DCS series, were built from film cameras but needed big digital parts added to them.

A few special cameras, such as the Nikon E2 and Nikon E3, could change 35 mm film to work with a smaller sensor. Some makers, like Leica with the Leica R8–R9, made digital parts that could fit their cameras. Bigger cameras that used larger film often had very costly digital parts.

These big digital parts created very large images. These types of cameras were mostly used in studios for portraits.