Glossary

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A (11)

ADF (Automatic Document Feeder)

Automatic document feeder (ADF) for multiple sheets. For scanning, copying, and faxing multi-page documents.

AF Assist Light

Mirrorless cameras require an LED light source emitting light in the visible spectrum as AF assist light when using the flash in the dark. The usual infrared AF assist lights integrated into system flash units do not work with mirrorless cameras. This is because autofocus is controlled by the image sensor, which must necessarily be insensitive to infrared light due to an IR blocking filter in front of the sensor. The infrared blocking is necessary to ensure correct colour reproduction.

AF Cases

AF cases simplify the customization of autofocus tracking for specific subject groups. The individual cases differ in the following aspects: reacting/not reacting to newly appearing subjects or obstacles: reaction to sudden acceleration or deceleration: reaction to subjects that may change their position in the image field. AF guides showing the possibilities can be downloaded from the Academy.

AI Focus AF

AI Focus AF is available in "A+" mode for automatic scene recognition. AI Focus AF analyzes the subject and automatically decides whether to focus in One-Shot or Servo AF mode.

Animal / Animal Eye AF

Animal/Animal Eye AF, introduced with the EOS R5 and R6, also allows the detection of body/head/face/eyes in animals. For animal eye detection, the "Animals" priority must be set in the menu.

Aperture Brightness

Ratio of focal length and maximum aperture of a lens. The smaller the f-number, the higher the aperture brightness, and the more light passes to the sensor at the open aperture.

Apple® AirPrint™

AirPrint enables wireless printing of photos, emails, websites, and other documents from Apple® iPhone™ or iPad™ without the need for an additional driver.

APS-C

Canon APS-C sensors have a size of 22.5 mm x 15 mm and 22.3 mm x 14.9 mm. The crop factor compared to full-frame sensors is 1.6x, meaning that the field of view with a 50mm lens on an APS-C camera corresponds to that of an 80mm lens on a full-frame camera. The APS-C format has roughly the area of the Super-35 mm format established in video.

ASC Coating

Air Sphere Coating. ASC is a special coating process that involves extremely thin coatings with microscopic air inclusions. This influences the refractive index of the coating layer, resulting in reduced residual reflections with steeply incident light and significantly enhanced anti-reflective performance.

Aspherical Lenses

Conventional lenses have a spherical (spherical) grind. This causes edge rays to be refracted differently than rays in the middle, resulting in so-called spherical aberrations. Aspherical lenses deviate from the spherical grind, leading to an identical focal point for edge and central rays. Spherical aberrations are avoided. Aspherical lenses allow the designer to create better lenses and/or reduce weight and the number of lenses.

Auto Lighting Optimizer

Automatic exposure optimization. Depending on the subject, the camera corrects the contrast behavior of the image in JPEG data. For example, in backlit shots, the shadow areas are brightened. For dull subjects, the contrast is increased. If the subjects are fine without correction, the Auto Lighting Optimizer does not intervene. The ALO can be adjusted in three levels or turned off. In RAW data processing using Canon DPP software, the ALO can also be configured in RAW processing, and its effect can be accurately assessed.

B (4)

Bit Depth

Bit depth or colour depth describes the number of brightness levels per colour channel. One more bit means a doubling of the number of representable levels. The higher the colour depth, the more reserves are available for subsequent image processing. Changes in tone curves require particularly large colour depth reserves. 8bit = 256 per channel / 256x256x256 = 16.7 million colours RGB / JPEG, simple monitors 10bit = 1024 per channel / 1024x1024x1024 = 1.07 billion colour / HEIF, high-quality monitors 12bit = 4096 per channel / 4096x4096x4096 = 68.7 billion colours / e.g. RAW with fully electronic shutter or RAW in older entry-level DSLRs 13bit = 8192 per channel / 8192x8192x8192 = 550 billion colour / e.g. RAW with 1st electronic curtain 14bit = 16384 per channel / 16384x16384x16384 = 4.4 trillion colour / e.g. RAW with mechanical shutter.

Bokeh

Typically refers to the appearance of the out-of-focus background in an image, which occurs with large aperture openings. Lenses equipped with many aperture blades produce particularly "round" and harmonious bokeh, which is subjectively evaluated and strongly influenced by personal taste. There are fans of particularly soft bokeh and fans of more "characteristic" bokeh. Bokeh is influenced by the optical design of the lens, the shape of the aperture, the position of the aperture, and possibly vignetting components. Bokeh is not measurable.

BR Lens Element

The innovative BR lens element is a composite lens consisting of two glass lenses and a special layer of plastic film.

Bubble Jet Technology

The printing process of most current inkjet printers was discovered by Canon engineer Ichiro Endo in August 1977 and patented in the USA in September 1977. The principle of operation: Each nozzle of a print head has a heating element. An electrical impulse to the heating element causes a temperature rise at the nozzle. An air bubble forms and expands, ejecting an ink droplet.

C (15)

Calcium Fluorite

Calcium Fluorite (CaFl) is not glass but an artificially grown crystal. Its production and processing are complex, making it only used in expensive lenses. This crystal has special refractive properties compared to glass. Dispersion and refractive index are low, and in the blue/green range, it shows abnormal refractive properties compared to glass (so-called anomalous partial dispersion). This allows excellent correction of chromatic aberrations (longitudinal and lateral chromatic aberrations) caused by glass.

Camera Connect App

The Camera Connect App is a tool for controlling the camera via a smartphone/tablet. Extensive remote control of the camera and image transfer to the smart device are possible through the app.

Canon Log

Canon Log provides an extended dynamic range (up to 12 stops) and records the video with a very flat gamma curve. It originated from Canon Cinema EOS series cameras. This results in better rendering in particularly bright and dark areas of the image. Canon Log is ideal for shooting in difficult or very high-contrast situations or for post-processing. Canon Log 3 offers an even greater dynamic range (up to 14 stops) than the original Canon Log, allowing for increased detail in highlights.

ChromaLife100

ChromaLife100 is Canon's system for photo print quality and durability. It is based on the combination of FINE print heads, selected Canon inks, and papers. ChromaLife100 protects photo prints from the effects of damaging environmental factors. Light, heat, humidity, and gases in the air can accelerate the aging process of photo prints. In ChromaLife100, photo paper, ink, and print head are consistently matched to each other, resulting in increased colour stability for photo prints: Up to 100 years in an album, up to 30 years of protection from light exposure, up to 10 years of protection from air exposure, protection from temperature and humidity.

Clean HDMI

The HDMI output has the video signal, but usually with the symbols visible on the monitor. This signal would not be usable for recording on an external recorder. If the camera has a clean HDMI output, the video signal is output on the HDMI without these monitor information. Thus, a video signal can be tapped and recorded on the HDMI output. Note: Ensure compatibility of recorders, cables, and possibly adapters!

Colour Grading

A process of video post-production. Here, the video is colour-corrected to meet the specific requirements. The RAW or Canon Log / Log3 settings are ideal for this, as they provide the largest data set.

Colour Matrix

In Canon Log mode, a colour matrix can be selected. This defines how colours are reproduced. Neutral: colour are reproduced according to the characteristics of the human eye. Cinema EOS Original: colour are adjusted to those of Cinema EOS cameras.

Colour Sampling, Colour Ratio

RGB 4:4:4 Full colour information for each pixel - Higher effective resolution. Technically, it is the best possible signal quality. Perfect for post-processing with maximum color precision, such as grading, keying, compositing, etc. However, this requires a very high storage capacity. YCC 4:2:2 is the standard colour model in broadcasting. The quality is excellent, even for broadcast applications. Double the colour information compared to 4:2:0. YCC 4:2:0 is the standard colour model in the consumer and prosumer sectors. Reduced color information to achieve smaller file sizes. Subjectively, there is no loss in quality since the eye is more sensitive to brightness than to colour.

Colour Sampling, Colour Models

RGB colour information from Red (R), Green (G), and Blue (B) is sampled and stored by the sensor. YCC (YCrCb) is calculated and stored from the RGB data, including brightness/luminance (Y) and colour difference signals Cr (red-green information) and Cb (blue-yellow information). This data reduction is entirely acceptable since the human eye perceives colour information less than brightness information.

Colour Space

The human eye can see many more colour than cameras typically capture and monitors display. The colour space defines which colours can be captured or displayed.

Combined IS

The "combined IS" (combined Image Stabilizer) is available in movie mode and combines the optical IS of the lenses with the digital "Movie IS" of the camera.

Compact System Camera

Compact System Camera. It stands for mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses. This category is also often referred to as ML (Mirrorless) or DSLM (Digital Single Lens Mirrorless).

Compressed RAW

The CRAW format corresponds in quality and capability to the Canon RAW format. It is losslessly compressed, saving storage space. The pixel count remains the same. It is not a RAW with lower resolution.

Coordinated IS

Coordinated IS (Image Stabilizer) describes the ability of the IBIS in EOS R system cameras to work with the optical image stabilizer of RF lenses.

Crop Factor

Ratio of the diagonals of sensor formats to the diagonals of full format. Example: The diagonal of the full format of 24 x 36 mm is approximately 43.3 mm. The APS-C format diagonal is about 27 mm. The ratio is 43.3:27 = 1.6. The crop factor makes it easy to calculate which focal length on a full-frame camera corresponds to the actual focal length on an APS-C camera. Example: A 50mm lens on an APS-C camera corresponds to an 80mm lens on a full-frame camera.

D (15)

Deep Learning AF

Deep Learning is a programming technique based on self-learning AI (Artificial Intelligence). In the camera's development process, the Deep Learning AF learns independently from photos and complex photo situations, creating appropriate algorithms.

DIGIC

DIGIC is the name of the image processor in the camera. These processors are specifically designed for image processing and are extremely powerful. In addition to the various DIGIC generations from 1 to X, there are also DIGIC versions optimized for video cameras (DIGIC DV). Many features, such as Deep Learning autofocus algorithms and 8K video, are only made possible by the high computing power. For example, the DIGIC X processor in the EOS-1D X Mark III is 380x faster than the dual DIGIC 6+ processor in the EOS-1D X Mark II.

Digital Lens Optimizer

Digital Lens Optimizer or Digital Lens Optimization. Initially introduced as an exclusive feature in Canon DPP software for RAW data, it is now also available directly in the cameras for JPEG shots without performance degradation.

DO / Diffractive Optics

A lens with multiple fine lines in the lens element prevents chromatic aberrations by inverse colour dispersion, allowing smaller and lighter lenses.

DS / Defocus Smoothing

DS stands for Defocus Smoothing. This is a technology designed to enhance the softness of bokeh.

DSLM

Digital Single Lens Mirrorless, in German, the term "Digitale Spiegellose Systemkamera" is also used.

DSLR

Acronym for "Digital Single Lens Reflex," equivalent to the German term for Digital Single Lens Reflex camera.

Dual Nano USM

This technology is based on Nano USM technology. With Dual Nano USM, two independent Nano USM drives are used.

Dual Pixel CMOS AF

Each pixel in Canon CMOS sensors is equipped with two light-sensitive photodiodes. One photodiode is responsible for image generation, while the other is used for phase detection autofocus.

Dual Pixel RAW

DPRAW stands for Dual Pixel RAW. For this special RAW format, the Dual Pixel CMOS AF pixels are used for image capture.

Dual Sensing IS

Dual Sensing describes Canon technology where shake information is detected not only by the gyro sensors in the lens but also by the image sensor.

Duplex ADF

Multiple pages (up to 50 sheets) can be copied, scanned, or faxed without manually rotating the original. Combined with duplex printing, double-sided copies can be made directly. There is also less risk of paper jams, as the pages do not need to be rotated.

Duplex Printing

Automatic double-sided printing. The paper is first printed on the front side, then retracted and automatically rotated in the printer so that the back side can be printed.

Dye-based Ink

Ink technology with dissolved dye molecules. Advantages: Colours mix better, have high brilliance, glossy colours, suitable for photo gloss paper.

Dynamic Range

The range of displayable brightness levels from bright to dark that a camera can capture. The dynamic range is expressed in f-stops. Each f-stop means a doubling or halving of brightness. With a dynamic range of 11, the highlights are 2048 times brighter than the shadows.

E (6)

E-TTL II

E-TTL II is the current flash metering system used in EOS cameras. Depending on the brightness and lighting situation, the E-TTL-II system decides whether only to provide fill light to maintain the current light mood or prioritize the flash.

E3

Canon connector for remote shutter release with a stereo mini-jack. Canon accessories with an N3 connector can be used with the RA-E3 adapter on the E3 connector.

EVF - Electronic View Finder

Electronic Viewfinder. Unlike the rear display, this viewfinder allows viewing a monitor through an eyepiece. In addition to resolution (currently 1.3 - 9 MP), the refresh rate also plays a decisive role.

EXIF

EXIF data in an image file contains technical information about the shot, including the camera model, the time of capture, and camera settings. These data are used for both photos and videos.

Eye AF

The Eye AF of EOS R cameras is an extension of automatic face detection, focusing precisely on the eyes. When a pair of eyes is detected in a portrait subject, you can switch between the eyes.

Eye Control

Eye Control selects the subject after confirmation (via a button), the autofocus takes over. Eye Control was first introduced with the EOS 30v (2004). It has been further developed with the EOS R3.

F (7)

Face Detection AF

Faces are automatically detected by the autofocus. In groups, it is possible to switch between different faces.

FINE

FINE stands for Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering and is an innovative Canon process for manufacturing particularly precise print heads using nanotechnology. The components of the print head are developed using photolithographic processes with semiconductor exposure systems. This ensures the greatest possible precision in aligning the nozzle dimensions, ink ejector openings, and heating element positions. The result is printing with microscopically fine ink droplets in the exact required amount and precise placement.

FINE Cartridges

Printheads with ink (black or three colours), also known as combined cartridges.

Flash Sync Time

Synchronization means tha t the flash only fires when the camera's sensor is ready to capture the image. In SLR cameras with a mechanical focal-plane shutter, it must be fully open before the flash fires. The shortest shutter speed for this is 1/125 or 1/250 second in most cameras.

Focus Assistant / Focus Guide

The Focus Assistant is a tool for focusing or focus tracking. Arrow indicators show the focusing direction and the correct focus. When the arrowheads overlap, the marked area of the image is correctly focused.

Focus Stack

A focus stack is a combination of images of a subject with different, preferably overlapping focus settings. This shooting technique is especially used in macro photography, where the depth of field is particularly shallow. This stack is either combined directly in the camera (e.g., EOS RP, EOS R6 Mark II) or in image editing programs such as DPP, Adobe Photoshop, Affinity Photo, Helicon Focus into a continuously sharp image.

Framerate

Indicates how many frames per second are recorded. In the European PAL system, based on the power grid frequency of 50 Hz, 25 or 50 fps is available. In the American NTSC system, 30 or 60 fps is available (actually, 29.97 or 59.94 fps, as the grid frequency is 59.94 Hz). Additionally, some cameras also offer the typical cinema frame rate of 24 fps or even slow motion at 100 or 120 fps.

H (4)

HDR PQ

HDR PQ (Perceptual Quantisation) displays high dynamic range images for subjects with higher contrast ranges for playback on an HDR device. Recording is done in RAW format.

Highlight Tone Priority

Highlight Tone Priority extends the dynamic range in the highlights and produces softer and more differentiated rendering of bright image areas.

Hybrid Ink Technology

To ensure accurate colour reproduction in graphics and sharp text in documents, many PIXMA printers use dye-based colour inks and pigmented black. Dye-based inks provide vivid colour in high-quality photo prints. Pigmented black produces a sharp, clear representation of small letters and fine lines.

Hybrid IS

Hybrid IS IS = Image Stabilizer) is a variant of IS for macro lenses. In addition to the two axes for distant subjects, the X/Y axes are also corrected for close-up subjects.

I (3)

IBIS / In-Body Image Stabilizer

The image sensor is moved in the x/y direction for stabilization, stabilizing lenses that do not have their own image stabilizer.

Image Stabilizer

The image stabilizer (abbreviation: IS for Image Stabilizer) compensates for unintended camera movements and avoids blurred images due to camera shake during longer exposure times. Image stabilizers are used in lenses and cameras.

IS Modes 1/2/3

Some lenses offer the manual choice of up to three different stabilization modes.

L (1)

L Lenses

L lenses are identified by the famous red ring. They are characterized by very high optical and mechanical construction efforts and are the first choice of professionals. Most L lenses are sealed against dust and splash water.

M (5)

Magnification Ratio

Describes the ratio between the size of an object and its image. Most lenses are optimized for capturing large objects in high quality at a smaller scale. Macro lenses achieve magnification ratios of 1:2 or greater. At a ratio of 1:1, the photographed object is reproduced at its original size on the image sensor.

Maintenance Cartridge

User-replaceable maintenance cartridge that reduces the need for repair services. Ensures high print quality and smooth printer operation. It captures the ink used during printhead cleaning.

MegaTank

Canon ink system with four to six integrated ink tanks, which can be easily refilled. The print heads are connected to the ink tanks via a tube system. The contents of refill ink bottles provide high yields.

MF Peaking / Manual Focus Peaking

Peaking highlights the edges of correctly focused areas in colour. Red, green, and blue colours are available. The sensitivity (low/high) can also be selected. Peaking only appears on the LCD, not in the recording.

MFP

The term Multi-Function Printer stands for multifunctional systems/multifunctional printers. It refers to printers with scanning and copying functions (3-in-1 devices) and an additional fax function (4-in-1 devices).

N (2)

N3

Canon connector for remote shutter release and timer with a special 3-pin plug.

Nano USM

A newer variant of the USM motor is Nano USM. It is not only particularly small but also combines the advantages of USM and STM technology without disadvantages: almost noiseless, very fast in photo mode, and very smooth in video mode.

O (2)

OIS / Optical Image Stabilizer

Optical image stabilizer integrated into the lens.

One-Shot AF / One-Shot Autofocus

One-Shot AF is a single autofocus measurement. As soon as the focus point is found, the One-Shot AF stops the measurement and stores the measurement. The measurement is only restarted when the shutter release is pressed again.

P (8)

PictBridge

Cross-manufacturer standard for direct printing to connect compatible cameras with printers. This allows images to be printed directly without going through the computer.

PictBridge over WLAN

PictBridge over WLAN allows direct photo printing from a compatible camera without a PC or cable. The WLAN-enabled camera serves as a wireless access point. The printer and camera are connected once to print within a range of about 10 meters without a WLAN router.

Picture Style

Picture Style or image style creates different image looks in JPEG data, similar to classic film types. Colour reproduction, sharpness, and contrast are set differently depending on the used Picture Style.

Picture Style Editor

The Picture Style Editor allows users to create their own image styles and upload them to the camera. For example, a vintage look for JPEG images is directly possible during shooting.

Pigmented Ink

Pigment inks have larger colour molecules than dye inks and form a dispersion with fine colour particles. Advantages: The prints are more durable, smear-resistant, and blacker. Since pigments settle after some time, the tanks must be shaken regularly, which Canon printers automatically do before printing.

PIXMA Cloud Link

With PIXMA Cloud Link, you can access internet content directly from the device (without a PC). You can either access online photo albums to print photos directly or use Canon web templates. There are plenty of print templates for creative design, such as stationery, envelopes, sheet music, or calendars. Documents and photos can also be printed from cloud services like DropBox and Evernote. PIXMA Cloud Link is also linked with the PIXMA Printing App, providing users access to all services available on their PIXMA system via their mobile device.

Print Resolution

Measure of a printer's ability to reproduce sharpness and detail, specified in dpi (dots per inch). The higher the dpi value, the higher the resolution.

Professional Print & Layout (PPL)

Professional layout and printer software and Photoshop plugin with an integrated driver for Canon imagePROGRAF printers.

R (2)

RAW

The image optimization processes performed after image capture are transferred from the camera to the PC for RAW data. RAW data allows many capture parameters to be adjusted later.

RF Mount

The RF mount is the lens mount for Canon EOS R mirrorless cameras. It has a shorter flange distance compared to the EF mount and extended electronic contacts for high-speed data transmission between the lens and the camera. Canon RF and RF-S lenses can be used directly on the RF lens mount. With the EF-EOS R mount adapters, EF and EF-S lenses are also compatible.

S (8)

Selective Sharpness

Selective sharpness is a technique that isolates the main subject from the background to make it appear three-dimensional. It works particularly well with longer focal lengths and a wide aperture, and with fast lenses.

Sensor Size

Full-frame sensors offer more creative freedom and enhanced high-ISO capabilities than APS sensors. A sensor in the APS-C format allows for designing more compact camera bodies. Wildlife and sports photographers appreciate the crop factor of 1.6. Both sensor sizes use Canon Dual Pixel CMOS AF II technology for sensor-based focusing in photo and video capture.

Servo AF

Servo AF tracks subjects as long as the shutter button or the AF-On button is held down. Ideally, give the AF half a second lead time before releasing to allow the AF system to analyze the movement and ensure optimal tracking.

SFP

Single Function Printer = Printer.

Shutter Mode

The shutter controls exposure. Depending on the camera model, the shutter can operate mechanically (focal-plane shutter), electronically (sensor as the shutter), or a combination of mechanical and electronic shutters.

Single Ink

Printer ink system with separate ink tanks. This is economical since only empty ink tanks need to be replaced. Additionally, colour prints with four or more colours show higher contrast thanks to photo black than ink systems with three colours.

STM

STM stands for Stepper Motor. This motor type focuses in the smallest increments and can change its direction of motion very quickly, making it very suitable for contrast-based focusing systems and smooth focusing in video mode.

SWC Coating / Subwavelength Structure Coating

SWC is a special coating process developed specifically for the requirements of digital photography. It minimizes stray light and aperture reflections caused by reflections within the lens.

T (2)

Test

Touch and Drag AF

Touch & Drag AF is an alternative method for manually setting the AF point, in addition to AF point selection using dials, joystick/smart-controller, or tapping.

U (1)

USM

USM (Ultra Sonic Motor) is an autofocus drive with a noise level in the inaudible ultrasonic range. This results in almost silent focusing with autofocus. Different types of USM motors exist.

V (4)

Vari-Angle Display

Canon term for swivel and tilt displays. The combination of swivel and tilt offers the advantage over flip-up displays that they also work for vertical photos and videos and in unusual shooting positions.

Video Compression

Moving images require an extremely large amount of storage space. Therefore, the video data is compressed. For example, All-I, IPB, IPB Light. (Exception: RAW file)

Video Resolution

The video resolution is given in pixels. The aspect ratio is usually 16:9, making it ideal for display on TV sets. For example, 8K UHD, 4K UHD, Full HD, HD. The EOS R5 can also record in 17:9 aspect ratio, for example, 8K DCI, 4K DCI. This is more commonly used in the cinema field.

Voice Tagging

Voice Tagging (Voice Memo) describes the ability to record audio comments to images via a microphone on the back of the camera, which can then be listened to in picture editors. The EOS-1D X series offers this function, as does the EOS R5.

Z (2)

Zebra

The Zebra function is an overexposure warning in the form of a stripe pattern. When the Zebra display appears can be set in the menu. It only appears on the LCD, not in the recording.

Zoom Lenses

Zoom lenses offer a variable focal length. Rotating the zoom ring shifts lens elements within the lens, changing the focal length and the field of view.