Glossary of terms
170
10
Appendix
Exposure
The amount of light used to capture an image. The exposure is determined by the
time the shutter is open (shutter speed) and the amount of light that passes through
the lens (aperture).
Image Size
The size of an image expressed by the number of pixels that make up the image. For
instance, a picture taken with an image size of 640 × 480 fills the computer screen
when the monitor setting is 640 × 480. However, if the monitor setting is
1,024 × 768, the picture only takes up part of the screen.
ISO
A method for indicating film speed by the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) (ex. “ISO100”). Higher ISO values indicate greater sensitivity
to light, so images can be exposed even in low-light conditions.
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)
A compression format for still images. Photographs (pictures) taken using this
camera are recorded onto the card in JPEG format. By downloading these images
to a computer, users can edit them using graphics application software or view the
images using an Internet web browser.
M
(Manual) Mode
The user sets both the aperture and shutter speed.
Noise reduction
When shooting in dark places, shutter speeds become slower as there is less light
focused on the CCD. During long exposures, signals are generated by parts of the
CCD where no light is focused and are recorded on the picture as noise. When noise
reduction works, the camera automatically reduces the noise to produce clearer
images.
NTSC (National Television Systems Committee) / PAL (Phase
Alternating Line)
Television formats. NTSC is mainly used in Japan, North America and Korea. PAL
is mainly used in Europe and China.
P
(Program) Mode
Also called Program AE mode. The camera automatically sets the best shutter
speed and aperture for the shot.
PictBridge
A standard for connecting digital cameras and printers of different makers and
printing out pictures directly.
Pixels
A pixel is the smallest unit (dot) used to make up an image. Clear large-sized printed
images require millions of pixels.
