aperture: the opening in the lens that allows light in to expose the image
batteries: the power source for the camera's electronic features
brightness controls: adjustments on an LCD to make it more readable in bright light
camera bag: a protective padded back for the camera and accessories
card reader: a small USB device that reads image files into the computer
CDRom: a type of storage medium for digital cameras
center-weighted averaging: light metering that averages the exposure from the entire image with emphasis on the center zone
continuous shooting: successsive images in rapid sequence; relatively slow in digital cameras
conversion lenses: wide-angle or telephoto lenses that attach to permanent lens
compactFlash: a type of storage mediium for digital cameras
digital zoom: crops and enlarges an area of the picture, resulting in lower resolution
diopter adjustment: adapts the viewfinder to your vision so you see the subject in sharp focus
evaluative (multi-pattern) metering: measures the light in different zones and adjusts for conditions
exposure compensation: adjusts exposure reading for backlight or bright conditions
focus or exposure lock: feature that holds focus or exposure while you compose the image
flash: built-in to most digital cameras, sometimes adjust for intensity of flash
floppy disks: storage media for some digital cameras
handle the camera: Try before you buy.
hot-shoe receptacle: a fixture allowing the use of an extermal flash
image stabilization: built-in shock-absorber for less camera-shake when shooting without a tripod
inkjet printer: can be used to print photo-quality prints
ISO settings: adjustable on some cameras to simulate speed of film
LCD (liquid crystal display): ; the small monitor on a digital camera used for previewing and reviewing images
lens cap: snaps or clips onto the lens for protection
light metering: camera's capability for automatic or manual reading of light
macro setting: a close-up feature on some cameras
manual setting: allows you to set speed, aperture and other features
megapixels: the millions of picture elements that make up a digital image
memory Stick: a type of storage medium for some digital cameras
movie mode: capability of a digital camera to shoot brief motion, usually 45-60 seconds
optical zoom: changes the cameras focal length from wide-angle to telephoto
panorama shooting: photographing several overlapping images in succession that can be joined in the computer using software
perfect digital camera--Sorry, no such thing! But you might get close.
playback feature: allows you to review your images after shooting
rangefinder cameras: show a slightly offset image because of different alignment of lens and viewfinder
red-eye reduction: minimizes the reflection from the camera's built-in flash
remote control: allows activating the camera from a short distance away
resolution: the number of pixels in an image
self-timer: a setting that allows a lapse between pressing the shutter button and firing of the camera
shutter speed: the time the shutter remains open to capture the image
size: extremely variable in digital cameras
SLR or Single Lens Reflex cameras: viewfinder sees directly through the lens
Smart Media: a type of storage medium
software: may include USB setup, image-editing or storage software
special effects: sepia, black-and-white, possibly others
spot metering: meters the light at the center of the imagae storage media: the medium that holds the recorded images
strap, neck or wrist: should be sturdy and adjustable
swiveling LCD: an LCD that rotates or twists so you can view a subject from odd angles television: with proper connection, can be used for viewing digital images
test photos: Try before you buy! (Did I say that before?)
USB (recommended) or serial connection: means of connecting the camera or card reader to the computer
UV/haze filter: protects lens and enhances some photographs
viewfinder: the window you look through to see what the camera sees
white balance: a nifty adjustment for natural and artificial light
zoom lenses: change the focal length from wide-angle to telephoto