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How Digital Cameras Work
How digital cameras produce images without film
All digital cameras work more or less the same way. The lens focuses light on an
electronic sensor which consists of an array of light-sensitive spots called
photosites. The mosaic-like "image" created by the photosite array is then read
by an A/D converter.
The resulting digital image is then processed and "cleaned up" by the digital
camera's on-board computer before being stored in the camera's memory. At this
point the image is available for post-processing, printing, or long-term storage
on digital media such as a computer hard drive or CD.
Regardless of price or the number of features, all digital cameras have the
afore-mentioned on-board computer. Under the user's direction (by changing the
camera settings), this computer controls every aspect of the photo-taking
process.
In short, digital cameras use electricity and computing power to replace the
chemical and mechanical photographic processes of film cameras.
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"Digital Photography Primer"
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