How the camera is arranged and what cameras are

In this lesson we will try to explain in an accessible way how the camera is arranged and what types of cameras exist today. Let's try to approach this issue from a practical point of view, explaining the most important issues for photographers in simple terms. This article will help you choose a camera for your tasks, and in the future to enjoy shooting. How does the camera work? Everyone knows what a camera is for. But how does it work? Knowing the principles of the camera will always help you get high-quality images. Here it is the same as with a car: in order to drive well, you need to at least have a little idea of ??how it works. A simple scheme will help you deal with the photography process.

Light is the most important thing in photography. It all starts with him. The word “photography” itself can be translated as “drawing with light”, “light painting”. Light begins its journey from a source, for example, from the sun.
Light falls on all objects surrounding us. This is very important to remember: the camera does not take off the objects themselves, but the light reflected from them. It is light and the ability to work with it - the key to good shots.
Light reflected from the subject passes through the camera’s lens.
It is projected onto a photosensitive sensor - a matrix. Previously, when there were no digital cameras, instead of a matrix, film was used.

Camera Matrix

The matrix consists of millions of photosensitive elements. They pick up the light and transmit information about it already in electronic form to the camera processor. The processor processes the received data and saves it as a file.

Nikon Expeed 3 Processor

The file is recorded on the memory card.

All modern digital cameras work on this principle, differing only in some details.

Camera Matrix

The matrix is ??the heart of a modern camera. The quality of photographs will largely depend on its quality. The matrix has two main characteristics, information about which is available to the consumer: this is resolution and physical size. First, let's look at the resolution. The resolution of the matrix is ??the number of its photosensitive elements, pixels. The more of them, the more points will make up the final photo. Today, the average resolution of matrices is from 16 to 36 million pixels. However, it may be that there are a lot of megapixels on the matrix, and the image quality is still low: it is not sharp, not contrasted, immersed in digital noise - interference. Image quality depends not only on the resolution in megapixels, but also on the physical size of the matrix itself.

A fragment of a picture taken on a smartphone with a camera of 8 megapixels

A fragment of a frame with a resolution of 8 megapixels, made on an SLR camera.

Both pictures were taken in the same resolution. As you can see, the frame shot on a mobile phone loses much in quality: it is not so contrasting, small details were not preserved in the picture, for example, veins on a piece of paper. But it is precisely for small details that the high resolution of the matrix should be responsible. Different types of cameras are equipped with matrices of various sizes. The largest in this diagram is a full-frame matrix. Its size corresponds to the frame with a familiar film of the format “135” or just “35 mm” - 36x24 mm. Matrices of this size can produce very high quality images. But the larger the physical size of the matrix, the more expensive it is. Therefore, large matrices are found only in fairly expensive devices. For amateur DSLRs, the APS-C format is characteristic. The cheaper the device, the less the matrix is ??installed in it. Large matrices give a gain not only in detail, but also in image quality when shooting at high sensitivity values ??in low light. The fact is that on a large area sensor, it is possible to realize a larger size of the photosensitive elements themselves - pixels. For comparison: one light-sensitive matrix element of a modern full-frame apparatus has an average size of 4.9-8.3 microns. The size of one pixel of a compact camera or smartphone is about 1-3 microns.

Features of large and small matrices

The advantages of large matrices - full-frame and APS-C - are obvious: they give the best image quality. At the same time, working with them has several nuances. The laws of optics are such that when working with a large matrix we get a shallow depth of field in the photo. On the one hand, we can beautifully blur the background in our shots. But at the same time, difficulties will arise if we want to make everything sharp on the picture - both the foreground and the background. When shooting with a reflex camera, achieving a large depth of field does not always work out. At the same time, small matrices allow you to shoot with an almost infinite depth of field . The smaller the matrix, the easier it is to get a frame with a large depth of field. That is why, when shooting with a smartphone or compact device, it is difficult to blur the background in the picture: the depth of field is too large, everything in the picture becomes clear. Compare two frames taken with the same shooting parameters, but on cameras with matrices of different sizes.

A frame made by a compact device with a small 2/3 "matrix. Almost all the figures fell into the depth of field.

APS-C SLR image frame. Depth of field was less. Only the front figure got into it.

If you like the blurry background in photographs, if you are engaged in portrait shooting, then most likely you will need a camera with a large matrix - APS-C format or even 24x36 mm.

When using a camera with a large matrix, the background in the image will be easier to blur.

In addition, the size of the camera itself and the lenses to it directly depend on the size of the matrix. Moreover, if the size of the device’s body can still be made more or less compact even when using a full-frame sensor, then the lens will not be able to be reduced in size: the laws of optics will not allow it. Therefore, when buying a full-frame apparatus with interchangeable lenses, be prepared for the fact that a good lens will have solid dimensions and weight. If you want to use a full-frame camera and still have a compact lens, you will have to be content with not the most versatile and not the fastest lenses. But in cameras that use smaller matrices, it is quite possible to use lenses that are lighter, more compact. Compare yourself.

Nikon D750 full-frame camera with a universal lens in the hands of the photographer.

The Nikon 1 family camera has a 1 ”sensor. This made it very compact.

At the same time, it is equipped with the same compact interchangeable lenses.

Types of cameras. Their pros and cons.

With the heart of a digital camera, the matrix, we figured it out. Now let's see what types of modern cameras are divided into.

Mobile camera Camera in the phone

Today, the built-in camera can be found in many devices. In smartphones, the camera (and sometimes not even one, but two - the main and front) have become an indispensable element. Probably every reader has the experience of taking pictures on the phone. In pursuit of compactness, such cameras are equipped with tiny matrices and simple lenses. We all know that pictures from a phone do not claim to be of high quality, but such shooting does not require special skills, and the phone is always at hand. However, if you plan to take photography more or less seriously, you should think about a more advanced creative tool that provides higher quality images and manual setting of shooting parameters.

Compact cameras

Perhaps this type of camera is also familiar to everyone. A compact camera is in almost every home. Their main advantage is their small size, low price, ease of use and sometimes large zoom. Small and medium matrices with a diagonal of 1 / 2.3 ”, 1 / 1.7”, 1 ”are usually placed in cameras of this type. This provides these devices with compactness and a very affordable price. Of course, there are rare compact models with large matrices, even full-frame ones. But these are quite specific and expensive devices. Compact cameras have a non-replaceable lens. As a rule, such cameras are equipped with a universal lens that allows you to shoot both with a wide viewing angle and take close-up photographs of objects removed from us. Again, thanks to the use of small-sized matrices, it turns out to make the lens small in size.

Nikon Coolpix S30 - compact camera

Most compact cameras are focused on shooting in automatic modes, so that photographing them was as simple as possible. In English, they are called “Point-and-shoot”, which can be translated into Russian as “point-and-shoot”. Indeed, for shooting on such an apparatus, it is enough to press only one button, the rest will be done by automation. But these devices are not always designed for shooting with manual settings. Sometimes not all settings can be configured manually, but if you can, then you have to look for them somewhere in the device’s menu, which slows down the process. Apart from the compact class are the so-called "hyperzones" ("superzoom", "ultrasound"). Hypersum is a compact camera equipped with a lens with a very large zoom ratio. It can shoot both with a wide viewing angle and take close-ups of very distant objects. Lenses with such a large zoom have a relatively large size, which is why the camera loses its compactness and is comparable in size, and often at a price, to more advanced classes of cameras.

Nikon Coolpix P600 - Hypersum. Its lens has a 60x optical zoom: this is a fantastic figure for any other class of camera. The focal length of the lens in 35 mm equivalent is 24-1440 mm.

Who should use compact cameras and hyperzones? First of all, for those for whom photography is not a hobby or a profession. For those who just take it off for memory and do not want to load their heads with some complicated settings. These cameras are ideal for traveling light. They always have automatic modes, which will allow even a novice to cope with them. Professional photographers sometimes choose a compact as a second, auxiliary camera.

SLR cameras

The next type of camera is SLR or DSLR. As a class of equipment, they have a rich history. The first DSLRs appeared in the first half of the last century. Then they used film. For more than half a century, their design was brought to perfection, and only in the XXI century the film was replaced by a digital matrix. Mirror cameras are named so because in their design there is a system of a mirror and a special reflective prism (pentaprism), which allows you to see exactly the picture that the lens “sees”. Moreover, without any electronics.

The mirror has a movable structure: when it is lowered, the light enters the viewfinder. When shooting, the mirror rises and the light hits the matrix. With SLR cameras, interchangeable lenses are used . You can choose any lens from a wide range of models for your device, focusing on the type of shooting that you want to do. Thus, in any situation, you can get the perfect tool for perfect picture quality.

It is not for nothing that SLR cameras are called system cameras. When choosing a DSLR from a particular manufacturer, we select a system from a camera, lenses and accessories (for example, flashes). This is actively used by all professional photographers and advanced amateurs. In SLR cameras, large matrices are always used. APS-C format or even full-frame. And as mentioned above, a large matrix is ??one of the components of a high-quality image.

Nikon D5300 is a typical SLR camera.

Speed ??is the next advantage of SLR cameras. A photographer who switched from a compact to a DSLR may just be shocked at the speed of her work. Fast autofocus and instant reaction to all manipulations of the photographer is a property of any DSLR. The SLR camera is very operational in management. Manufacturers pay great attention to their design, because this is a professional tool. The device is convenient to hold in your hands, and almost any setting can be adjusted with one or two buttons without climbing into the menu. Another advantage worth noting is the long battery life. It is relatively rare to charge the battery of such a camera. Since the matrix in the DSLR (together with the display of the device is the main energy consumer) is not always under load, but only directly during the shooting of the frame, the battery allows making about 500-1000 shots on a single charge, depending on the camera model. This is an almost unattainable figure for other types of cameras. Long battery life of the camera is a very important thing in travel, trips, long walks. Of the minuses of SLR cameras, it is perhaps worth noting their large weight and size. However, on the contrary, many photographers like to walk with a large camera and look like a professional. Modern DSLRs are both very expensive, designed for professional use, and very affordable. Today, almost everyone can afford a SLR camera. Who should use a SLR camera? Everyone who is more or less seriously involved in photography and is not afraid of the relatively large size of the camera. For those who want to learn how to professionally take photographs, make photography their profession, an SLR camera is the best choice.

Compact cameras with interchangeable lenses or mirrorless cameras

This is a relatively recently appeared type of camera and the most actively developing. Manufacturers reasonably decided that if you equip an ordinary compact camera with interchangeable lenses and a high-quality matrix, you get a very interesting thing. Mirrorless cameras combine most of the advantages of DSLRs and compacts. As already mentioned, “mirrorless” have interchangeable lenses and compact sizes. At the same time they allow you to make frames of very high quality. After all, they are equipped with matrices of relatively large sizes. Mirrorless mirrors are generally quite fast. However, due to their miniature size, their ergonomics suffered a bit. The camera no longer lies in the hand as conveniently and thoroughly as a DSLR. Yes, and the lack of an optical viewfinder, many photographers do not like. Of the other minuses of mirrorless cameras, it is worth noting a rather short battery life. Manufacturers in this class of cameras pay particular attention to style. In contrast to strict black DSLRs aimed at advanced photographers, there are a lot of beautiful, stylish, “image” models among mirrorless ones.

Nikon 1 V3 Mirrorless Camera

Who should use a mirrorless camera? Those who want to get high-quality photos, but do not want to carry around a bulky SLR camera. This camera is convenient to take on travel. However, if you plan to travel without the ability to charge the camera, it is better to take a set of spare batteries with you.

Medium format cameras and digital backs

There are cameras in which the matrix in size is even larger than that of full-frame DSLRs. For example, its size may be 44 x 33 mm, 53.9 x 40.4. The resolution of such large matrices is also rather big: several tens of megapixels. Cameras of this type are called “medium format” cameras. This name has remained since the time of film photographic equipment. In the film era, such cameras used a wide film, much wider than usual. Such cameras, both then and now, are used by some professional photographers to obtain very high quality photographs. Imprints with a diagonal of about one meter are not the limit for these cameras. Some of these cameras are equipped with interchangeable modules, in which the matrix and electronic filling are installed directly. Such modules are called digital backs. Medium format cameras are mainly used when shooting in a studio because of the large size and not very high efficiency in work. Another minus of medium format cameras is the price comparable to the price of a new foreign car. Who should use a medium format camera? First of all, professional photographers who need to print images in very large formats. For amateur, reportage and any outdoor photography, such cameras are not entirely suitable. However, it’s worth mentioning that some modern full-frame SLR cameras are already “treading the heels” of medium-format ones: for example, the Nikon D800, Nikon D800E, Nikon D810 are quite comparable with medium-format cameras in terms of image quality. And their price is much lower.