Before you shop for a digital camera, or even consider switching to one, it could be useful knowing the new “digital lingo”. To help you understand what the sales associates are talking about when they drop these digital camera terms, use this helpful guide.

[bul] Aperture: <$>The size of the lens opening, which regulates how much light passes through the lens to hit the CCD. Aperture is measured in f-stops. A higher number equals a smaller amount of light. Some digital cameras (such as digital SLR cameras) allow a user to manually adjust the aperture setting.

[bul] CCD: This is the electronic version of film for a digital camera. Standing for charged coupled device, this refers to the chip used to record image information. Light hits the CCD when a photo is taken, and then the analogue CCD converts the information to digital. This is one of the two main recording devices used in digital cameras. Also Known As: charged coupled device, ccd

[bul] DPI: Basically, dots per inch, this refers to the resolution of an image. The higher the DPI, the better the detail of an image. It is a measurement of the number of dots found in a one-inch square of an image.

[bul] LCD-Screen: <$>This is a feature included on most cameras, which allows the user to preview images immediately after a photo is taken. It is this single feature that persuades many to switch the digital cameras.

[bul] MegaPixels: One million pixels, a unit of measurement in an image. This number will determine the quality of the image. Think of it as the number of dots in your picture. A low density of dots will result in a poor image.

[bul] SLR: Stands for single-lens reflex, these are higher-end digital cameras revered by serious photographers. The digital versions of SLRs work in this manner: the shutter retracts so an image can be recorded. One of the prime benefits of using a digital SLR camera is that lenses are interchangeable.