Digital Camera Glossary

Auto-exposure lock: the act of fixing (locking) exposure at the value metered for one area of the frame; while exposure is locked, the photographer can change the composition without changing exposure. This is effective when the area the photographer wishes to use to set exposure differs sharply in brightness from surrounding areas.

An abbreviation of “autofocus,” a function that allows the camera to set focus automatically.

Autofocus lock: the act of fixing (locking) focus once it has been acquired by the camera; while focus is locked, the photographer can change the composition without changing focus. This is effective if the subject in question will not be in a focus point in the final composition.

A color designating the end of one of the two axes on which white balance is adjusted. White balance settings with higher values for amber heighten “warm” colors (reds).

The opening in the lens through which light passes. Changing the size of this opening changes the amount of light passing through the lens.

The width of an image relative to its height.

A function that allows the camera to set exposure automatically. Sometimes abbreviated as “AE”.

The delay before the monitor or camera turns off automatically; the delay before the exposure meters turn off automatically (auto meter-off).

A function that allows the camera to set focus automatically. Sometimes abbreviated “AF”.