caméras

Caméras, the French term for cameras, are devices that capture images by recording light. In digital cameras, light is converted into electronic signals; in film cameras, light exposes light-sensitive material that records an image chemically.

The history of image capture begins with the camera obscura, and the first permanent photograph was taken in the 1820s by Nicéphore Niépce, later popularized by Louis Daguerre. The development of flexible roll film by Eastman Kodak in the late 19th century enabled portable cameras and mass photography. The rise of digital imaging in the late 20th century led to compact cameras, interchangeable-lens systems such as DSLR and mirrorless cameras, and the widespread integration of cameras into smartphones.

How cameras work: a lens focuses light onto a sensor or film. A shutter controls exposure time and the aperture sets the amount of light entering the camera. Digital cameras store images on memory cards and process data with onboard processors. Resolution is typically described in megapixels for stills; video uses frame rates and resolutions such as 1080p or 4K.

Types include film cameras, digital cameras (compact, bridge, DSLR, mirrorless), cinema cameras, action cameras, and surveillance cameras. Some cameras are designed for specialized tasks such as 360-degree imaging or scientific measurement.

Applications span photography, journalism, filmmaking, security, science, and education. Camera technology continues to evolve with higher sensors, improved low-light performance, computational imaging, and AI-assisted features.