Knowing how your digital SLR works and choosing the right kit for the job could be the difference between competent shots and outstanding photography. Here we take a look inside your camera and discuss how digital sensors can affect focal lengths.

Inside a Digital SLR

While they may look the same as their film SLR predecessors in terms of design and feel – and there’s no reason to believe this will change any time soon – they couldn’t be more different under the bonnet. And although it’s not  essential to know and understand how every microchip and piece of electronic wizardry actually works, a basic working knowledge of your SLR’s vital ‘organs’ will certainly prove useful in the field. Here’s a brief guide to the absolute essentials to help you get the most from your digital camera…

Control Dial

Some things never change and, thankfully, digital SLRs’ main dial still controls shutter speed and aperture, which means that the switch from film to digital won’t cause too many initial headaches.

Mirror

Many digital SLRs perform a mirror lock-up (freezing the mirror in its up position) when cleaning (or allowing you to clean) the camera’s sensor.

Battery

Digital cameras are entirely batterydependent and are more power-hungry than conventional film cameras. Depending on the manufacturer and model, cameras either have custom batteries or accept AA batteries.

Pop-Up Flash

Most digital SLRs, much like their analogue predecessors, feature a built-in pop-up flash unit. Although on-camera flash has its drawbacks, it’s perfect for adding fill-in and close-ups.

Flash Hotshoe

The camera’s flash hotshoe allows for detachable flash units to be mounted and used in conjunction with the camera’s TTL (through-the-lens) metering system.

Sensor

There are two main types of sensors used in digital cameras – CCD (charge-coupled device) and CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor). Both capture light on individual light-sensitive cells that convert the resulting signals into digital form.

Image Processor

Probably the single most important part of the camera, the image processor is responsible for noise reduction, colour interpretation, resolution and sharpness, and image creation.

Digital Connections

Remove the cover and you’ll find the USB socket needed to connect your SLR to a computer, as well as a remote cable release socket.