ABSTRACT
Historically, analog video cameras fell into neat categories. Professional cameras were big, expensive, well made, and produced high-quality video, whereas consumer cameras were small, very inexpensive, had an inferior image, but above all were easy to use. The chapter explores the fundamental components, functions, and technology of the digital video cameras. Generally there are three types of camcorder bodies: shoulder-mount cameras, cameras ergonomically designed to be held in an operator's hands, and cameras that are essentially boxes that must be mounted on some form of camera support. Many mid-level and professional cameras come with a permanently integrated zoom lens, which means that the one lens offers a range of focal lengths. Often accompanying the video zoom lens on many cameras is the servo zoom control, which enables someone to glide through the zoom range, from wide angle to telephoto, with the touch of a button. Most digital cameras have an LCD viewscreen to monitor video.
