Full frame sensor
An image sensor that’s the same size as a piece of 35mm film. This is in contrast to a “cropped” sensor which typically has the same dimensions as a piece of APS film. Larger sensors can yield shallower depth of field, and offer larger pixels, which can produce images with less noise.
Priority Mode
A mode on a camera that allows you to set a specific exposure parameter. The camera then calculates the other exposure parameters accordingly. For example, in Shutter Priority mode, you select the shutter speed you want, and the camera picks a corresponding aperture, based on its metering of the scene (if your camera also has auto ISO, then ISO might be adjusted as well). Aperture priority allows you to specify an aperture. The camera will pick an appropriate shutter speed upon metering.
Zone system
A method of calculating exposure.
Zoom lens
A lens with a variable focal length.
Wavelet compression
A new fractal-based compression scheme. Converts your image from a series of raster dots into a collection of tiny fractal curves.
White balance
A color calibration used by a camera. Once a camera knows how to accurately represent white it can represent all other colors. Because white can look different under different types of light, a camera needs to be told what white is, a process called white balancing.
Wide-angle
A lens with a focal length that is shorter than normal. As a lens gets more wide-angle, its field of view increases.
VGA Resolution
640 x 480 pixels.
Video LUT Animation
A feature available in some versions of Photoshop that allows for real-time, on-screen viewing of color corrections and changes.
Video RAM
The memory in a computer that is used for displaying images on-screen. The more video RAM, the larger your images can be, and the greater the bit depth they can have. Also known as VRAM.
Vignetting
A darkening of the image around the edges.
Underexposed
An image that was not exposed enough. In an underexposed image, dark, shadow areas turn to completely black.
Upsample
The process of enlarging an image by calculating (interpolating) new data.
USB
Universal Serial Bus. A type of serial connection provided by many computers and digital cameras. Can be used for transferring images between camera and computer.
Telephoto
A lens with a focal length that is longer than normal. As a lens gets more telephoto, its field of view decreases.
TFT
A technology used to create LCD screens. Typically used for the LCD viewfinder/monitors included on the backs of many digital cameras.
Thin film transistor
A technology used to create LCD screens. Typically used for the LCD viewfinder/monitors included on the backs of many digital cameras.
Three-shot array
A digital camera mechanism that uses three single arrays, one each for red, green, and blue.
Through the lens
A viewfinder mechanism that looks through the same lens that is used to focus the image onto the focal plane. Short for through the lens.
Transfer mode
A setting that determines how the pixels in composited layers blend together. Also known as blending mode.
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