How does a digital camera capture images?

@alvah_shanahan 

A digital camera captures images by using a combination of hardware and software processes. Here is a simplified explanation of the process:

1. Lens: Light enters the camera through the lens, which focuses the light onto the image sensor.
2. Image sensor: The image sensor is an electronic device made up of millions of tiny photosensitive elements called pixels. Each pixel captures the intensity of the light that falls on it.
3. Exposure: The camera controls the amount of light reaching the image sensor by adjusting the aperture (size of the lens opening) and the shutter speed (duration of exposure). The right combination ensures the desired exposure level.
4. Analog-to-Digital Conversion: The analog signals captured by the image sensor are converted into digital data by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). This converts the continuous range of light intensities into discrete digital values.
5. Image processing: The digital data is processed by the camera's image processor. This involves various adjustments like white balance, color correction, noise reduction, and sharpening to enhance the image quality.
6. Image storage: The processed image is then stored in a storage medium, generally a memory card within the camera.
7. Display: The camera may have a built-in screen or an external screen for previewing the captured image. The screen displays a digital representation of the image.
8. Output: The stored image can be transferred to a computer, printed, shared online, or displayed on a compatible device.

It's important to note that these steps are a simplified version, and each camera model may have additional features or variations in the process.