These are points on the screen where the camera can focus. They can be very small or precise, or larger ‘zones’ where the camera can choose a subject within the zone and even follow it automatically. You can even leave the camera to pick any focus point in the scene. It will usually choose the […]
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RAW files: what they do and how they work
Digital cameras don’t capture ready-made images. The data captured by the sensor has to be processed first. This happens automatically and instantaneously if you set the camera to shoot JPEG images. Many cameras don’t give you any other option. However, more advanced models like high end compact cameras, DSLRs and mirrorless cameras will also let […]
Nikon lens jargon explained
Like other lens makers, Nikon has its own technical jargon for the features and specifications of its lenses. The first bit of Nikon lens jargon is the name – Nikon brands its lenses ‘Nikkor’’ – though some reviewers and retailers us the name ‘Nikon’ instead, just to be clear about who makes them. Nikon camera […]
Dynamic range and exposure
Dynamic range is the camera sensor’s ability to capture detail in very bright and very dark parts of a scene. Cameras (or sensors) with a low dynamic range record dark shadows as a solid black or bright highlights as a featureless white. In the days of film, this was known as a film’s ‘exposure latitude’. […]
Picture styles and film simulation with digital cameras
Digital cameras typically offer a range of ‘picture styles’ to suit different subjects or different tastes in color rendition. Canon calls these Picture Styles, Nikon calls them Picture Controls and other camera makers have their own names. They include options like ‘Vivid’, ‘Landscape’, ‘Portrait’ and ‘Black and white’, but the key point with all of […]