The human eye and a camera have a lot more in common than we think. Both process images, perceive different tones, while seeing near and far. The only difference is that the human eye does not process images well in the dark, where special cameras can.
The rest of their features function very similarly. In fact, the human eye may as well be the inspiration behind the basic functionality of every camera out there.
Because the eyes serve as our window to the world, they deserve the proper care to ensure their health. Unlike cameras that can be replaced, our eyes should last a lifetime. To ensure heathy vision as you age visit the center for laser vision in Orange County at Advanced Eye Medical today to speak with Dr. Ghosheh.
The Aperture and the Iris
The eyes can control the amount of light that goes through it. When it’s bright and sunny, the iris contracts to let in less light and expands when it’s dim.
Similarly, the aperture of a camera widens and narrows depending on the current lighting condition. This feature is measured in focal stops or f-stops, which affect the exposure or brightness of an image. In dimly lit areas, a lower f-stop means a wider aperture, which translates to a brighter picture even when it’s dark.
Although the aperture and the retina function in similar ways, the iris cannot be controlled manually as apertures do, it is a purely automatic biological response.
Image Sensor vs. the Retina
Located at the back of the eye, the retina gathers refracted light from your surroundings to form an image. It measures 32mm in diameter, while the image sensor of a full-frame camera measures 35mm.
Just like the retina, an image sensor collects the reflected light to create an image on the LCD screen of the camera. But their similarity stops there. The sensor of the retina is curved, while the sensor of a camera is flat. An even more stark difference is in the number of pixels that they have. The human eye has the equivalent of about 130 million pixels (6 million of which can process colors). Modern cameras have fewer megapixels than the human eye. Even Canon’s DSLR prototype with 120 megapixels has nothing on the eye’s ability to process details in an image.
The Eyelids as the Real-Life Shutter
A camera shutter blinks as our eyelids do. Faster blinking means the less motion our eyes take in. And if we blink less, then our eyes can capture more images.
The same goes for the camera, except that you will get a blurry motion if the shutter does not “blink” or is left open for a long time. The blurring of an image comes in handy when you want to show the surreal side of a subject such as cascading waterfalls or moving cars.
Laser Vision in Orange County
The human eye is more powerful than the most sophisticated camera. Modern cameras have features that enable them to create crisp and lifelike images, but they don’t have the dynamic range that the human eyes have.
Give your eyes the care they need by booking an eye appointment with Dr. Ghosheh at the center for laser vision in Orange County, Advanced Eye Medical. Our team can assess your eyes and recommend the proper ways of maintaining healthy vision as you age.