Glossary

EV (Exposure Value)

All the combinations of the camera’s shutter speed and lens aperture that result in the same exposure.

EV Compensation

This feature allows you to quickly adjust the exposure value measured by the camera, in limited increments, to improve the exposure of your photos. Set the EV compensation to -1.0 EV to adjust the value one step darker and 1.0 EV to one step brighter.

Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format)

A specification to define an image file format for digital cameras created by the Japan Electronic Industries Development Association (JEIDA).

Exposure

The amount of light allowed to reach the camera’s sensor. Exposure is controlled by a combination of the shutter speed, the aperture value, and ISO sensitivity.

Flash

A speed light that helps to create adequate exposure in low-light conditions.

Focal length

The distance from the middle of the lens to its focal point

(in millimeters). Longer focal lengths result in narrower angles of view and the subject is magnified. Shorter focal lengths result in wider angles of view.

Histogram

A graphical representation of the brightness of an image. The horizontal axis represents the brightness and the vertical axis represents the number of pixels. High points at the left (too dark) and right (too bright) on the histogram indicate a photo that is improperly exposed.

Image sensor

The physical part of a digital camera that contains a photosite for each pixel in the image. Each photosite records the brightness of the light that strikes it during an exposure. Common sensor types are CCD (Charge-coupled Device) and CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor).

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