The images that it takes are stored electronically and a little computer looks after it all. The picture is stored internally in the form of pixels which are basically little coloured dots which merge together to form what you see.

There are lenses as in a standard camera but the light is focused on a semiconductor rather than on a strip of film. One function of the on-board computer is to translate this information into data language.

There are two basic image sensor formats:-
CCD – charge coupled device
CMOS – Complementary metal oxide semiconductor

The CCD version is the better and most effective, it is a group of little diodes and collects electrons and the brighter the light is, the more electrons it will gather. One of the reasons that the price of digital cameras has dropped recently is the introduction of the CMOS image sensor which, although not as good, is much cheaper to manufacture.

A simple way to put it is if you can imagine it as millions of little solar panels collecting light and converting it into varying amounts of electricity.

Here are some key points to look out for when shopping for a digital camera.

1. image quality

Check the resolution level and get as high a resolution as you can afford as it will provide a clearer picture

2. lens.

The main point to consider here is the zoom level.

3. power

It is probably sensible to go with rechargeable batteries here as they are cheaper in the long term, make sure that you always carry some spares.

4. memory.

The computer stores all the photos that you take on a memory card. You know how many photos you are likely to take so make sure that the capacity of that card is big enough for your needs.

5. options.

Nowadays you need to find a camera which is compatible with your computer so that you can download the pictures and print them off if required.

It is easier and cheaper to do this when buying the camera rather than trying to find a computer to match your camera’s standard.

If you intend carrying it around a lot, size can be a factor. Professional photographers need large heavy cameras with lots of complex lenses but imagine having to carry all that around when out for an afternoon bird watching.

In the old days we had to wait a few days to get them back from the developers to find out whether the photos we took were any good.
It is now great to be able to see in the little LCD display the results immediately.

It will not be too long now before all the conventional cameras have been replaced by the digital LCD camera.

This digital LCD camera from Kodak C1013 is ideal for a photographer just starting out with digital photography.