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CCircle of Confusion

In photography, the circle of confusion (CoC) is used to determine the depth of field, the part of an image that is acceptably sharp. A standard value of CoC is often associated with each image format, but the most apprpriate value depends on visual acuity, viewing conditions and the amount of enlargement. Properly, this is the maximum permissible circle of confusion diameter limit, or the circle of confusion criterion, but is simply called circle of confusion.

Real lenses do not focus all rays perfectly, and so, even at best focus, a point is imaged as a spot rather than a point. The smallest such spot that a lens can produce is often referred to as the circle of least confusion.
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Close-up
The general term for pictures taken at relatively close distances to achieve from 1/10 life-size (1:10) to life-size (1:1) images.
Cable Release
A wire and button device designed to allow photographers to trip the camera's shutter without touching the camera. Generally used with a tripod-mounted camera to insure even greater steadiness.
Cinematography
The art and science of photographing a motion picture. The cinematographer is responsible for capturing the actual film footage using a motion picture camera which can be film or digital based.
Color Cast
If the white balance of a scene does not match the lighting under which the scene is being photographed, a color cast can occur. Find out more.
Compression
Refers to reducing the quality of digital data in an effort to conserve storage space. For example, the JPEG file format is a compressed format. Certain Nikon cameras that offer RAW capture, using the Nikon Electronic File format (NEF) can
Codec
A term related to digital video, a codec is a device or computer program that is capable of encoding and/or decoding a digital data stream or signal.
Clear Color Display
This innovative technology improves screen visibility for a more vivid, clear image when taking and sharing pictures. Reflections are minimized while contrast and power savings are improved. (In select COOLPIX models).
Center-Weighted Fill-Flash
A fill-flash technique that uses the camera’s center-weighted meter for ambient light exposure measurement, and uses center-weighted flash metering.
CCD
Charge coupled device, one of the two main types of image sensors used in digital cameras.
CD-R
CD-Recordable. A compact disc that holds up to 700 megabytes of digital information. A CD-R disc can be written to only once. Ideal for long-time storage of data or photos.
CMOS
Complementary metal-oxide semiconductor, one of the two main types of image sensors used in digital cameras.
CD-RW
CD-Rewritable. Similar in virtually all respects to a CD-R except a CD-RW disc can be written and erased many times. Not preferred for long-time storage of data or photos.
Close-up Attachment Lens
These lenses provide an easy way to increase magnification. Find out more.
Chromatic Aberration
A phenomenon in which light rays passing through a lens focus at different points, depending on their wavelength. Axial chromatic aberration is a variation in focal length; lateral chromatic aberration, a variation in magnification. Find out more.
Cinematographer
A person who uses a motion picture camera to record the actual film footage shot during the making of a motion picture. Director of Photography is an equivalent title. Find out more.
COOLPIX Projector Camera
COOLPIX compact digital camera with a built-in projector.
Camera Control Pro 2
Nikon software that provides simplified remote control of Nikon D-SLR cameras from a personal computer. Find out more.
Cropping
Trimming unwanted parts of an image.
CMYK
Cyan, magenta, yellow and black, the primary colors used in commercial color printing from which all other printing colors are derived.
Circular Polarizing Filter
Converts linear polarized light waves to circular polarized light waves. Required whenever polarizing is desired using autofocus cameras and cameras that have semi-silvered reflex mirrors.
CompactFlash
A type of storage card, available in a range of capacities, that's used in digital cameras to store images captured by the camera. The card can be erased when the images have been transferred or are no longer needed.
COOLPIX
The trade name given to Point & Shoot digital cameras manufactured by Nikon.
Conversion Factor
Used to describe changes in apparent magnification when a 35mm lens is used on a D-SLR with a sensor smaller than 24mm x 36mm.
Candids
Photos taken of people acting in a natural, spontaneous, unposed way. Often used to describe a category of wedding photographs.
Contrast
A measure of the rate of an image's change of brightness. High contrast implies dark black and bright white content; medium contrast, a good spread from black to white; low contrast, a small spread of values from black to white.
Circle of Confusion
In photography, the circle of confusion (CoC) is used to determine the depth of field, the part of an image that is acceptably sharp. Find out more.
Catchlight
The reflection of a light source in a subject's eyes. Intentionally creating a catchlight by providing a small amount of illumination with a flash or reflector can make your subject look more vivid.
Continuous Servo AF
A mode of autofocus in which focus detection continues as long as the shutter release button is lightly pressed.
CIPA Standard
The CIPA Standard refers to the measurement of digital still camera battery consumption by the Camera & Imaging Product Association. Find out more.
CRC (Close Range Correction) System
The Close-Range Correction (CRC) system is one of Nikon's most important focusing innovations, for it provides superior picture quality at close focusing distances and increases the focusing range. Find out more.
Color Sketch Effect
A Special Effect available on certain Nikon D-SLR cameras. The camera detects and colors the outlines of subjects in the scene for a color sketch effect. Find out more.
COOLSCAN
The trade name for film scanners manufactured by Nikon. Nikon COOLSCAN scanners have been discontinued as of December 2010.
Curvature of Field
One of Seidel's five aberrations. A phenomenon in which light rays passing through a lens focus on a curved plane rather than a flat plane. Find out more.
Composition
The arrangement of elements in a photograph.
Color Conversion Filter
A filter that alters the color temperature of light to make it suitable for the film in use. It enables you to use daylight-type film indoors or tungsten-type film outdoors.
CC Filter
A color compensating filter. It enables you to make fine adjustments of color tone or color density in color photography.
Center-Weighted Metering
Meter sensitivity is biased toward the center of the viewfinder. Recommended when the subject is in the center of the picture.
CEC
CEC stands for Consumer Electronics Control. CEC is a standard that allows for a camera that is connected to an HDTV to playback images/video with most HDTV remote controls.
Coma
One of Seidel's five aberrations. The image of a point source of light is prevented from being brought into focus, but instead appears shaped as a comet or teardrop. Coma can be reduced by stopping down the lens.
Color Temperature
A scale used for rating the color quality of light. Measured in degrees Kelvin (K). The temperature of daylight on a sunny day is expressed as 5500K; light from a tungsten lamp, 3200K to 3400K.
Card Reader
A device used by photographers to read the image data on media cards. Find out more.
Contrast-Control Filter
Used with black-and-white film to emphasize contrast in a picture. Yellow (Y), orange (O), and red (R) filters are available with contrast increasing in this order.