What is digital photography?

In contrast to traditional film cameras that use an emulsion based on silver halide to produce images, digital cameras use electronic components. In a digital camera, the film is replaced by a light-sensitive sensor. This sensor converts the light it receives into digital information that it stores in memory. This memory contains image files, similar to the JPEG or BMP files found on your computer hard disk. In appearance, digital cameras closely resemble film cameras. Only the inside is different, with more electronics than in a traditional camera.



Figure 1: On the outside, not much difference with a traditional camera

Some manufacturers have envisioned creating a hybrid camera via replacing the film by a sensor, with the electronics located in the cartridge. But this prototype has yet to be commercialized in France.



Figure 2: Imagek digital film

Last point: to distinguish them from cameras that use traditional film, digital cameras are called digital.