Linked Questions

2 votes
3 answers
1k views

Can I get better results from my Panasonic Lumix DMC SZ1 in low light?

I made a very quick decision buying this camera. I was amazed due to its 10x zoom and its amazing image stabilizer. And of course, by its low price. But after getting it delivered and using it in ...
Man_From_India's user avatar
12 votes
4 answers
15k views

What is a "small" aperture?

It happens a lot. People refer to the aperture being small (or big!). By default does this imply a small opening of the iris (literal aperture), or a small f-value (how the aperture is measured, for ...
James's user avatar
  • 2,714
12 votes
7 answers
2k views

Can someone give a simple explanation of ISO?

Can someone please explain to me what ISO means in the camera settings? In an answer to a question about taking pictures at a dance party, I was told to use ISO 1600. What does that number really ...
Luis Valencia's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
885 views

Why are the area of aperture, focal length, and amount of light specified in these terms?

So I'm looking at the wikipedia article on Aperture, and I'm a bit confused. I understand aperture to be the diameter of the hole that lets light in. In the article, someone states that The ...
Chaosphere2112's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
5k views

Why doesn't the background become blurred when I change the aperture on my Fujifilm S4000?

I am sorry if my question is too naive, but I am a complete beginner in photography, and I think I still need to understand well what aperture is. I have a Fujifilm S4000 camera, and I know I can't do ...
AntonioJunior's user avatar
17 votes
2 answers
9k views

What are the differences between an entry-level DSLR and a Canon PowerShot?

A Canon Powershot series camera has shutter priority, aperture priority and complete manual mode that lets the user control the shutter speed and aperture Even though an Entry-level DSLR has more ...
vivek_jonam's user avatar
  • 3,496
3 votes
2 answers
411 views

What should a beginner look at in comparing two point & shoot cameras?

My interest in photography grew over the last few days, and I finally decided get into this thing. My goal is to become a Nature/Wildlife & Fashion photographer some day. Since I am total ...
its_me's user avatar
  • 187
5 votes
1 answer
552 views

What's the history of neutral density filters instead of aperture diaphragms in compact cameras?

Some compact cameras use neutral density filters to control light rather than aperture blades, to avoid the effects of diffraction in tiny sizes. I first heard of this as a feature of the Nokia N8 ...
mattdm's user avatar
  • 143k
1 vote
1 answer
239 views

Photography concepts using SX20

I've bought a Powershot sx20 half a year ago and I'm quite happy with it although I know it doesn't compare to a DSLR. I've learning photography on my own: bought a 58mm ring and some filters (cpl, ...
Luciano's user avatar
  • 393
69 votes
7 answers
24k views

What is a "diffraction limit"?

I've seen the term used, but what is a "diffraction limit", when should I worry about it, and what undesirable effects are a result of it ?
rfusca's user avatar
  • 26.5k
21 votes
4 answers
8k views

Do the same camera settings lead to the same exposure across different sensor sizes?

Let's say I have a micro-4/3rd camera and a full frame camera, both set to 1/60 at f/2.8, taking a picture of the same scene in the same lighting. Will the exposure be the same across both cameras ...
Daniel T.'s user avatar
  • 1,827