F–stop settings which allow varying degrees of light to enter through the lens, affecting the depth of field; the smaller the number, the wider the aperture opens, allowing in more light.
The Speed at which the shutter opens and closes (seconds and fractions of a second), affecting the amount of light entering the camera, also affects the stopping or blurring of motion.
This is the amount of the image that remains in focus:
Smaller f–stop numbers (2.8, 3.5) produce a shallow depth of field.
Larger f–stop numbers (11, 16, 22) produce a wide depth of field.
DoF is also affected by focal length (i.e. wide angle has more DoF than telephoto).
The combination of aperture and shutter speed governing the quality and characteristics of an image. This affects whether an image is over–, under– or correctly exposed (whether the image is too light or dark), how motion is portrayed (whether the motion is stopped or is blurred), and the depth of field in the image (what is in focus and what isn't).
Sensor within the camera used to read the amount of light in a scene. Many meters work differently, allowing for different readings and ultimately different exposures. Most digital cameras allow at least a few different metering settings for different lighting situations.
Film speed rating, how sensitive the film is to light;
50 ISO less sensitive
1600 ISO more sensitive
In digital cameras, this affects the amount of "digital noise" that is present in an image. This "digital noise" affects how "grainy" the image looks, which is similar to how an image taken with high ISO film will look.
This is commonly measured in millimeters.
Focal lengths < 50mm = Wide Angle
Focal lengths = 50mm = Normal (what your eye sees)
Focal lengths > 50mm = Telephoto
One mega–pixel is equal to a million points of light (or pixels), the higher the mega–pixels, the higher the resolution of the digital image. This directly affects the size that an image can be enlarged, for example a 3.2 mp image can be enlarged up to 8x10 without losing quality, while an 8 mp image can exceed 16x20 and still be clear. Resolutions commonly range from 3.2 to 12 mega–pixels.
This is the device used to store images from your camera. In essence, it functions as your "digital film". There are many different types and chances are your camera only takes one of them. Make sure that you are clear about which type this is.
Function within the camera used to achieve white light in the image, is usually done automatically but can be manually adjusted to tell the camera what lighting situation you are in; lighting situations are categorized by color temperature in degrees Kelvin.
Common Color temperatures:
1,200 K: candlelight
2,800 K: tungsten/incandescent bulb, sunrise/sunset
3,000 K: studio lamps, photoflood bulbs
5,000 K: electronic flash, daylight
6,000 K: bright midday sun
7,000 K: slightly overcast
8,000 K: hazy sky
10,000 K: heavily overcast