Input Devices : Digital Camera

Digital cameras are used in the same way as standard photographic cameras. Most digital cameras look just like ordinary cameras. Unlike photographic cameras digital cameras do not use film. Inside a digital camera is an array of light sensors. When a picture is taken the array of sensors is used to input the image. The image can then be stored either in the camera's RAM or on a floppy disk. Later the pictures can be transferred onto a computer for editing using a painting package.

Digital cameras are available from about £30 upwards. The quality of the pictures that a camera can take depends upon the resolution of the camera. This is measured in millions of pixels (megapixels). Modern cameras have resolutions from about 1 to 5 megapixels. Digital cameras are extremely useful for tasks such as producing newsletters. The images can be transferred directly into a desktop publisher without having to be developed, printed and then scanned.

GCSE ICT Companion 04 - (C) P Meakin 2004