Parts of a Camera and What They Do

Parts of a Camera and What They Do

When you get a camera, you obviously want to make sure you know how to use it and what each parts of the camera do. Now a DSLR camera is much more complex than a Point and Shoot camera because it's all manual, meaning you control it. A Point and Shoot camera, although it does have some manual controls, is much more automatic. For example, in a Point and Shoot camera, you can shoot a photo up close and zoom into it and you will see on the screen (called the LCD screen) will adjust and sharpen by itself. On a DSLR camera, you have to zoom and then you are the one who adjusts the sharpness of the subject, the camera doesn't do it by itself like a Point and Shoot camera does.

Below are some photos of basic camera parts for both Point and Shoot and DSLR cameras. 

. Amazon.com. N.p.. Web. 15 Dec 2013. <http://www.amazon.com/Fujifilm-FinePix-F30-Digital-Optical/dp/B000EJVWGS>.

 

"Photography Friday 1 [Introduction]." It's Overflowing. WordPress, 6 Jan. 2012. Web. 15 Dec. 2013. <http://www.itsoverflowing.com/2012/01/photography-course-overview/>.

 Now once again, these parts do not apply for all cameras. All cameras are different and may have different settings than the ones shown above. This is just shown to show the main functions that are common in most cameras. So if you have the instruction manual to your camera, then it would be a good idea to read it so you can know exactly how your specific camera is set up.

Now in the first image, the Point and Shoot has an electronic flash, zoom lens, lens cover, LCD panel, indicator LEDs, picture review finder, viewfinder, OK button, shooting mode dial, menu button/display control, memory card slot, USB port, and a battery compartment.

For the DSLR camera, some common parts are the flash, mode dial, power switch, control dial, shutter button, lens, leans release button, flash button, lens focus, viewfinder, play button, erase button, LCD display and the memory card slot.

Now you probably know a lot of the functions for a point and shoot camera. They aren't hard to understand at all! so it becomes easy to take photos once you've figured out how it works.

          Point and Shoot Functions:

    

     * Electronic Flash- The flash is responsible for the light that occurs when you take photo. The major purpose of the flash is to illuminate a dark scene or to capture quickly moving objects. The flash setting can be turned on or off or even automatic.

   

     * Zoom Lens- The zoom lens is obviously the zoom. You can take photos of a butterfly for example and you don't have to worry about scaring it away because you can just zoom in on the butterfly from a distance.

    

     * Lens Cover- The lens cover protects the lens. It can also prevent unnecessary light from entering into the lens which could result in a lens flare.

    

     * LCD Panel- In Point and Shoot cameras, you can see the subject you are about to shoot through this screen. Some Point and Shoot cameras also have a viewfinder, but not all. The LCD screen is also used to view your photos after they've been taken.

   

     * Indicator LEDs- Indicator LEDs show the camera's current status.

   

     * Picture Review Finder- This is the button you click when you want to view the photos you've taken.

    

     * Viewfinder- This is the frame you look through when you take a photo.

    

     * OK Button- This button is used when selecting operations that you would like to use for your camera.

   

     * Shooting Mode Dial- The shooting mode dial is used to change different scene modes, and you can adjust exposure (if you don't know what exposure is, don't worry, we'll talk about that later. For now just think of it as adjusting the light).

    

     * Menu Button/Display Control- This controls the amount of information shown in the LCD and menus.

     

     * Memory Card Slot- This is the compartment in which you put your memory card into. Be sure you place it in correctly or it can damage you card or even your camera.

   

     * USB Port- When you get your camera, they normally come with a wire. This wire gets plugged into your camera and then the other end gets plugged into your computer. This is one way in which you can put the images that's on your camera onto the computer.

     

     * Battery Compartment- The battery compartment is where you place your batteries in.

DSLR Functions: 

      * Flash- The flash, just like the point and shoot camera, is used to illuminate dark scenes. The flash can also be set on, off or on automatic.

     * Mode Dial- The mode dial is used to change scene modes. For example, if you wanted to shoot a photo of your dog, then the best mode to set it on is the Pets mode.

     * Power Switch- This is obviously the switch that turn the camera on and off.

     * Main Control Dial- This dial (in the majority of DSLR cameras) is used to change focal points, make exposure compensation, change ISO and more.

     * Shutter Button- This is the button you press when you want to take the photograph.

     * Lens- The lens is the part of the camera that determines the focal length and for viewing the subject you are about to shoot. 

     * Lens Release Button-  Since DSLR cameras have interchangeable lenses, the lenses obviously have to come off somehow. The lens release button is what you press to release the lens.

     * Lens Focus- The lens focus is used to focus on the subject that you want to shoot. 

     * Viewfinder- The viewfinder is the rectangular frame you look through when you take a photo.

     * Play Button- This is the button you press when you want to view the photos you took on your camera.

     * Erase Button- This button normally has a small trash can on it. You click this button to delete an image you don't like.

     * LCD Display- In my DSLR camera, you cannot view the subject through this screen. You can only view the pictures you've already taken. So in order to see your subject, you have to look through the viewfinder.

     * Memory Card Slot- This slot is where you place your memory card. Again, be careful that you put it in correctly. 

I know that this does look like a handful to know, but once you understand it and learn to use it, it's as common as breathing! I hope you find this helpful!