A point and shoot camera, also called a compact camera, is a still camera designed primarily for simple operation. They include a viewfinder for composition, but use autofocus or focus free lenses for focusing and automatic systems for exposure as well. They differ from other types of cameras, except disposables, in that they lack systems for focusing manually. A camera is a device used to take photographs. ... In photography a viewfinder is what the photographer looks through to compose, and in many cases to focus, the picture. ... Autofocus (or AF) is a feature of some optical systems that allow them to maintain correct focus on a target. ... A focus free lens is a photographic lens whose focal point is fixed at its hyperfocal distance. ... The focus or image point is the point where light rays, originating from a point in the object, converge [1]. The principal focus or focal point of a lens or parabolic mirror is the point onto which collimated light parallel to the axis is focused. ... A photograph with an exposure time of 25 seconds In photography, exposure is the total amount of light allowed to fall on the sensor (photographic film or CCD) during the process of taking a photograph. ... Kodak Max Outdoor Camera disposible camera. ...

Point and shoots are by far the best selling type of camera. They are popular with people who don’t consider themselves photographers but want an easy to use camera for vacations, parties, reunions and other events.

Most point and shoots have flash units built in. Although flash can be hard to use, it’s the only convenient way to take pictures in most indoor settings. Many cameras have the flash set on top of a long arm, often doubling as a lens cover, to reduce red-eye effect. Running water frozen by flash. ... The red-eye effect in photography is the common appearance of red eyes on photographs taken with a photographic flash. ...

Camera types

The lowest end point and shoots are similar to disposable cameras, but can be reloaded. These cameras have focus free lenses, with fixed apertures. They may have a light meter. Most have a wheel or lever for advancing the film and cocking the shutter, and a crank for returning the film to the canister for unloading. Because of the fixed apertures, models with flash have no way of controlling the exposure from the flash. Therefore flash pictures have to be taken with the subject within a narrow range of distance from the camera. In optics, an aperture is something which restricts the diameter of the light path through one plane in an optical system. ... Photograph of a handheld digital ambient light meter, showing an f-stop of 5. ...

Higher end models use auto-focus and have variable apertures. They all have light meters. They use electric motors to advance and rewind the film. They are much more versatile than the lowest end models.

High-end models are likely to have zoom lenses, better focus and exposure systems, larger apertures and sharper lenses. They may have a special lamps or pre-flash systems designed to reduce red eye in flash pictures of people. A Canon Inc. ...

Film types

Most film based Point and shoots use 35mm, although this style is particularly popular with cameras that use 110 and Advanced Photo System films. Undeveloped Arista black and white film, ISO 125. ... 135 Film Size, Kodak Tri-X 400 speed 135 (ISO 1007) is a film format for still photography. ... 110 is a film format used for still photography. ... An Advanced Photo System (IX240) film cartridge Advanced Photo System (APS) is a film format for still photography. ...

Digital cameras of this type are becoming increasingly popular and will probably totally dominate the segment in the future. Not including digital backs, the first digital cameras were of this type, with DSLRs coming later. The sensor used in these types of cameras tends to be smaller than their SLR counterparts. The non-interchangeable lenses used in point and shoots allow the coverage of the lens to be matched to the size of the sensor, an advantage given the non-standardization of digital sensor sizes. A SiPix digital camera next to a matchbox to show scale. ... The Digital camera back is a type of high-end digital photography equipment. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The coverage of a lens is the size of the image it can produce, measured as the diameter of the image circle produced by the optics. ...