Like all things technological, the world of digital cameras and photography is filled with acronyms. Here are some of the most common acronyms related to digital photography, together with what they actually mean.
AF
Auto-focus systems often include an AF lamp that helps the system focus in low light situations. The lamp may use visible or infrared light.
CCD
Charge-coupled device is a system that converts the light signals to digital data. The name CCD is often used for the whole sensor that takes the photograph, though it actually only refers to a part of it.
LCD
Liquid crystal displays are used in digital cameras as a viewfinder. Usually the screen is around two inches measured diagonally and can also be used to play back images taken earlier. LCD screens are also used on some television sets and computers.
ISO
International Organization for Standardization is an international body that sets standards. In photography there are two relevant standards: ISO speed for film and ISO exposure index for digital cameras.
SD
Secure Digital cards are used as memory cards in many digital cameras. They are flash memory cards and come in many sizes - both physical and memory size. They may hold up to 8GB of information - thousands of high quality photographs.
These are perhaps the most usual acronyms related to digital photography. They can be found in digital camera specifications or adverts, and are often used by photography enthusiasts. Be sure to learn them before going into a serious conversation about photography!
Proud Photography is the top online photography school, featuring interactive lessons and in depth training. Their online photography courses have the best value for price found online. All that is covered by a 100% money back guarantee.
Digital Cameras