Image capture
The lens projects an image onto the focal plane.

Color Filter
The light passes through the colored filters and is analyzed as an analog signal.

Sensor
The light-sensitive sensors turn the image into pixels-a uniform pattern of microscopic squares, each containing brightness and color information.

Analog signal
The camera then sends an analog signal to the in-camera computer

Image analysis
The final image is constructed by microchips and software and turned into a binary digital file.

Storage
The digital signal is sent to the storage device-usually a memory card inserted into the camera-where it is recorded as a digital file.