Types of cameras. What should you know?

13/01/2025 | Author: woodenshop.co.uk

People who are interested in photography should learn not only about taking good pictures, but also about the different types of cameras. Taking pictures for many people is a real passion, so it is worth choosing good equipment. For this reason, if you are beginning your adventure with photography, we recommend first reading our short guide, from which you will learn, among other things, what a digital camera is and what types of cameras there are.

Digital camera – what is it, how does it work?

Digital cameras capture images using a sensor, which is a photosensitive matrix. The picture taken is stored on a memory card. The advantage of digital photography is that the resulting images can be easily modified on a computer and then printed in any number of copies. With the popularization of digital cameras, photography has become very common, accessible to everyone.

We also distinguish between classic, traditional cameras, in which the image is captured and simultaneously recorded on photographic film. Modern digital sensors, of course, offer resolution and sensitivity that in the old days could only be dreamed of. However, despite the availability of modern equipment, analog photography is still popular with many people.

What are the types of digital cameras?

Digital cameras differ in their construction. Taking into account the different capabilities of the equipment, the following several models of cameras can be mentioned. Among them we distinguish:

compact cameras – these are small-sized devices. They have a limited number of additional functions and often do not have a manual mode. In this equipment the lens is fixed, it can not be replaced. This is a very simple digital camera that can easily be stored in a pocket. It is usually chosen by amateur photographers,
mirrorless cameras – these models are characterized by the ability to replace the lens in the body. The photo taken can be previewed thanks to the built-in monitor. It is recommended not only to amateurs, professionals are also happy to use it,
digital SLR cameras – these are modern cameras that use a light-sensitive matrix of the CCD or CMOS type. These devices are equipped with a large number of modes and manual functions. If you are interested in this model, pay attention to what kind of DSLR lens to choose, so that the photos will be really unique.

There are also many other categorizations of photography equipment. When it comes to SLR cameras, the different devices differ, among other things:

the number of lenses – they can be single-lens or dual-lens. Amateurs often have the problem of how to choose a lens for a DSLR. For example, a 35mm lens is used for portrait photography. It also allows you to capture an interesting landscape,
the type of light-sensitive material – we distinguish between digital and analog devices,
the size of the film frame – for example, small-format (24×36 mm), medium-format (4.5×6 cm, 6×6 cm), large-format (from 4×5 inches upwards);
intended use case.

Camera sensor sizes

On the market, photographic equipment is also classified by the size of the matrices. To begin with, however, it is worth considering what is a matrix in a camera. To answer in a few words, we are talking about the electronic sensor, which is responsible for recording images. It is worth remembering that the larger the photographic matrices, the better the quality of the photos. The three basic types of matrices in digital cameras are:

35 mm (35×24), or full frame,
APS-C.
4/3 matrix.

Types of digital cameras – how else do the different devices differ?

In addition to technical issues, cameras also differ in other things, more practical and design. Among the factors mentioned are:

the way the camera’s menus are organized,
the number of settings on the housing and in the menus,
the number of accessories and types of photographic lenses,
the nature of the image,
the appearance of the camera.

Among the available devices, we can find different types of cameras. They have a different design, photosensitive material, lens type or application. The wide choice allows you to buy a model that will meet all your expectations. For this reason, it is worth giving decent thought to what type of camera will be optimal for your needs.