Cameras

Viewfinder

This optical device allows you to look through an eyepiece to frame the subject before taking a picture.

Manual focus

Digital cameras provide greater depth of field than cameras with longer focal-length lenses, such as 35 mm or APS cameras; therefore, manual focusing will rarely be needed. It's not even possible to do on some cameras. Manual focus options vary; a few cameras provide a continuously adjustable manual focus ring, others only a limited number of discrete focus distance settings.

Exposure compensation

Allows for minor adjustments to the automatic-exposure settings. When a scene has high contrast, as in a backlit scene, automatic exposure may not achieve the effect you want. It helps to be able to alter the settings so that the subject of the photo does not appear too dark or too light.

Touch screen

Touch screen indicates touch capability on the LCD.

Image stabilization type

An image stabilizer compensates for handheld camera shake. Optical (in the lens) and mechanical (in the camera body) image stabilizers are the best types to use, although some cameras include simulated stabilization, which is considered a less effective type than the others.

Macro focus

This is a setting that allows you to take extreme close-ups, from a few inches to only 1 or 2 feet away from the subject. test

Manual controls

Some cameras allow the user to set the aperture (f-stop), shutter speed, or (usually) both. This feature is used to override the automatic exposure settings when more control is needed. During a sporting event for example, you may want to use a high shutter speed to freeze the action. Or, you may want to use a low shutter speed to blur moving objects (like a waterfall) while keeping stationary objects sharp. Using shallow depths of field can be used to blur the background of photos while keeping the foreground in focus. Typically up/down arrow keys are used to change settings displayed on the LCD or in the viewfinder. These controls are not as easy to use as on conventional film cameras.

Eyeglasses

Denotes cameras with a viewfinder diopter adjustment, which allows some eyeglass wearers to take off their glasses when using the camera.

Maximum aperture

The maximum aperture (lens opening) for wide and telephoto shots. A single number indicates that the camera does not have a zoom lens.

Shutter speed range

Shutter speed controls the length of time that the camera lets in light to expose the camera's sensor. This specification shows the range of selectable shutter speeds by defining the minimum and maximum shutter speeds.

Optical zoom

Optical zoom is the maximum magnification of the lens.

35mm equivalent zoom ratio

All digital camera manufacturers publish this "35mm equivalent" focal length simply because people are used to hearing it and knowing what kind of image a 28mm lens produces compared to a 50mm lens.

LCD size

Digital cameras have a small liquid-crystal display (LCD) screen on the back so you can see the images and decide which to keep. You can also use the LCD to help frame photos, but that's a sure way to run down the battery in a hurry. Most LCD screens are too dim for viewing clearly in sunlight. Many cameras also use the screen for displaying menus and camera settings. It is desirable to have both an LCD display and a viewfinder with an eyepiece.

AA batteries

Indicates whether the camera accepts AA batteries. This options allows you to use disposable or rechargeable batteries.