Don’t fret if you’re not an expert to these 12 terminologies and their functions in your Canon camera. We all start somewhere. Here’s a handy infographic on Canon camera terminologies to help you out!

P.S. You are more than welcome to save the infographic (below) on your phone for future reference.
 

EOS 

EOS stands for Electro-Optical System and has been used by Canon for its digital cameras with changeable lenses.

 

CR2 

The CR2 file extension refers to Canon Raw image files created by a Canon digital camera. CR2 files are based on TIFF specification, and it ensures uncompressed and high-quality output.

 

Vari-angle LCD

Vari-angle LCD technology refers to a fully articulated screen that can be tilted and twisted using a hinge and/or pivot. This technology is especially useful and convenient for shooting from a different perspective like an overhead shot in a crowd, a ground-level angle or even self-portraits with the 180° rotatable LCD screen. Canon EOS RP is one such camera that uses the Vari-angle LCD. 

 

Av

Av mode, or Aperture priority mode, allows the photographer to set a fixed aperture while letting the camera decide the best corresponding shutter speed and ISO to achieve a well-balanced exposure for your output. Different aperture settings will also result in different effects. A larger aperture allows for lesser depth of field and vice versa with a smaller aperture.

 

Tv

Tv mode refers to the shutter speed priority mode. This means that the user will have control over the shutter speed setting while the camera works out the best accompanying aperture and ISO settings. With shutter speed priority mode, you can capture movement in more interesting ways. For a start, you can opt for a slower shutter speed setting to capture a moving subject and achieve a blurry effect. Otherwise, you can switch it up to a faster shutter speed to freeze one’s motion in the output.

 

Fv

Fv mode refers to Flexible Value. It sets the camera to Flexible Priority Auto Exposure mode and allows the user to switch exposure settings (ISO, shutter speed and aperture) between auto and manual anytime with a touch of a button — toggling between Program mode, Av, Tv, and manual mode.

 

AI Servo Autofocus

The short form of Artificial Intelligence Servo Automatic Focus, AI Servo AF tracks your selected point to ensure it is always in focus.

 

One-Shot Autofocus

One-shot Autofocus system, works by locking its focus on a single subject or area. This can be done by pressing the shutter release halfway, and if done correctly, you’ll hear a beeping sound. It is best to utilise this mode when photographing stationary subjects or static scenes.

 

E-TTL

E-TTL, otherwise known as Evaluative Through-The-Lens autoflash, is a Canon Speedlite technology where the camera uses information obtained through the lens to calculate how much light the flash needs to emit for the appropriate brightness.

 

ALO

ALO refers to Automatic Lighting Optimizer, and is a feature where the camera makes adjustments to the shadows and highlights to even out between the brightest and darkest point of the image. This works well in portraitures with backlighting to ensure that the subject’s face is well-lit.

 

Creative Assist

Creative Assist allows you to adjust brightness, contrast, saturation, background blur and more within the camera’s parameters to achieve a certain style or look before photographing.

 

Creative Filter

Creative Filter allows you to apply pre-set filters like Fish Eye, Grainy B/W, Soft Focus, Toy Camera effect, Miniature effect, Water Painting effect and Art Bold effect to your shots.
 

Now that you know these 12 common Canon camera terminologies and their purpose, why don’t you give some love to your canon lenses and learn more about their terminologies too? 
 

Download a copy of this infographic here.