AD Converter

The output from an image chip (CCD) in a digital camera is in the form of an analogue signal. This is converted into digital values by the built in analogue/digital converter in much the same way a MiniDisc or CD recorder would deal with the analogue input from a audio cassette. Ordinary digital cameras use 8-bit analogue-to-digital conversion, which means that each pixel can represent up to 256 different values for brightness. Professional digicams offer 10-bit or even 12-bit conversion, which means the pixels can represent un to 1024 or 4096 brightness values respectively. This offers a far more accurate result and a noticeably clearer picture.