Inside the Digital Camera Digital Camera Cross Section

Inside the Digital Camera

Digital Camera Cross Section n n The digital camera is a complex device The only part that is the same as film cameras is the lens.

Taking a Picture – Step 1 n n n Camera is aimed at the scene Light reflected from the image passes through the lens of the camera. The lenses in digital cameras are different form those used in film cameras

Camera Lens Construction n The quality of a lens is determined by the manufacture and the construction. Lens construction consists of elements, individual lenses placed in groups. The lens at the right has 16 elements in 5 groups

Digital Camera Cross Section

Taking a Picture – Step 2 n n n The image is focused on a device that is sensitive to light. The majority of cameras us Charged Coupling Devices (CCD) Some cameras use CMOS devices.

CCD Sensors

Bayer Array n n n To capture color images, each sensor on a CCD has to have a filter placed over it which only allows penetration of a particular color of light. Virtually all current digital cameras can only capture one of the three primary colors in each sensor so they discard roughly 2/3 of the incoming light. The most common type of filter arrangement is the Bayer Array, based on how the human eye sees light.

Taking a Picture – Step 3 n CCD generates an analog signal that represents the image

Taking a Picture – Step 4 n The Analog to Digital Convertor changes the analog electrical signal into digital information. ADC

Taking a Picture – Step 5 n The Digital Signal processor converts the information into the file output information. ADC DSP

Taking a Picture – Step 6 n The file information is sent to the flash storage media in the camera. ADC DSP