A camera's image sensor resolution measured in millions of tiny dots (pixels). Effective megapixels — the number of megapixels actually used to capture the image — is typically slightly lower than the number of total available megapixels.

The clarity of a digital image, determined by multiplying the number of pixels wide by the number of pixels high (e.g., 640 x 480).

This is your lens' true zoom capability. The lens does the work by reducing or enlarging the field of view. The greater the optical zoom, the closer you can get to the subject you are shooting.

This is not true zoom, it is merely simulating zoom by enlarging the existing image's pixels by cropping. The actual length of the lens does not change. Digital zooming results in reduced image quality, and should generally be avoided or turned off on your camera altogether. Optical zoom is recommended to ensure crisp, detailed photos.

27-540mm (Still 16:9, Movie 16:9 SteadyShot Standard); 27-690mm (Movie 16:9 SteadyShot Active); 25-500mm (Still 4:3); 33-660mm (Movie 4:3 SteadyShot Standard); 33-840mm (Movie 4:3 SteadyShot Active)

Size of the LCD screen, in inches, measured diagonally from corner to corner.

ClearPhoto LCD with 460K dots, 5-level brightness control, selectable histogram and grid display

Provides the photographer with an approximation of what the lens is seeing. In addition to a conventional optical viewfinder, most digital cameras also provide a color LCD panel.

Digitally compensates for camcorder shake so videos appear steady.

Also referred to as continuous shooting, burst mode captures multiple shots in rapid succession with a single click of the shutter. This is a useful feature when shooting subjects in motion.

Memory that is built into a digital camera for storing images.

Memory Stick Duo|Memory Stick Duo|Memory Stick PRO Duo|Memory Stick PRO Duo|Memory Stick PRO Duo|Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo|Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo|Secure Digital (SD)|Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC)|Memory Stick Duo

Number of images that can be stored on a digital camera's built-in memory and/or included removable memory cards. This number varies depending on the resolution of each image. The higher the resolution of the image, the more storage space it takes up.

The rate (typically measured in fractions of a second) at which a camera shutter opens and closes to capture an image. Slow shutter speeds are used for low-light conditions, while faster speeds are best for action shots.

Settings that assess and compensate for color conditions in any given lighting to ensure true-to-life color. Most digital cameras feature automatic white balance settings as well as the option to manually override such settings.

7.9" - 14.1' at ISO Auto (wide), 6.6' - 7.9' at ISO Auto (telephoto); up to 20' at ISO 3200 (wide), up to 11.2' at ISO 3200 (telephoto)

Flash settings. Common modes include Auto (camera decides when the flash is needed), Red-Eye Reduction (minimizes eye reflections) and Fill (reduces deep shadows in bright sunlight).

iAuto: 2" - infinity (wide), 6.6' - infinity (telephoto); Program auto: 2" - infinity (wide), 6.6' - infinity (telephoto)

Captures short, low-resolution video clips, sometimes with sound.

Connection used to transfer digital images from a camera to a computer. USB 2.0 is the most common digital camera interface.

Jack that allows the camera to be connected to a TV for viewing images.

Multipattern, center-weighted and spot metering; exposure compensation (±2 EV in 1/3 steps)

Settings that regulate the amount of light entering the camera lens, which affects how light or dark an image will be.

Number of images that can be stored on a digital camera's built-in memory and/or included removable memory cards. This number varies depending on the resolution of each image. The higher the resolution of the image, the more storage space it takes up.

Powers a device from a standard AC outlet.

Type of element used to convert light into a digital image. The most common types are CCD (charge-coupled device) and CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor).

Size of the CCD or CMOS image sensor, usually measured in fractions of an inch (e.g., 1/1.8" or 2/3"). In general, the larger the sensor, the better the picture quality.