Our eyes can look around and adjust dynamically depending on the environment. Hence, most of us would assume that there is no difference between the human eye and the camera. However, things are a lot more complicated than it seems. We must understand that there are two primary differences in how they work. We can summarize these differences as follows
- Difference in focusing on an image
- Difference in processing colour
Also Read: Diagram of Eye
Human Eye vs Camera
Following are some major differences between a physical camera and the human eye.
| Human Eyes | Camera |
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Focusing on an Image |
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| The human eye contains small muscles that contract and relax, enabling the eyes to change shape and stay focused on a moving object. These muscles are also capable of changing the thickness of the lens to accommodate the image that is being viewed | A camera cannot do this. Hence, it relies on a variety of lenses. This is the reason why photographers often change the lens of their camera according to the distance from the object. Moreover, cameras use mechanical parts to stay focused on a moving object. |
|
Processing Colour |
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| Human eyes contain special types of cells called photoreceptors. There are two types – rods and cones. Rods are primarily used for low-light vision, while cones are used for colour vision. 3 types of cones respond to 3 different wavelengths of light. For instance, blue cones respond to short wavelengths while red cones respond to long wavelengths, and green cones respond to medium wavelengths. The colour we see is the result of the brain activating the cones in various combinations. | Cameras use something called photosites to collect light. A typical camera has millions of these light collectors that hold the light and then convert it into a signal that can be interpreted by electronic devices. Moreover, cameras use filters that break up light into its primary colours – red, blue and green. It reproduces the full spectrum image by combining these colours. |
|
Blind Spots |
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| The human eye has a blind spot – located at the point where the optic nerve joins the retina. Under normal circumstances, we do not notice this blindspot as the brain uses information from the other eye to complete the missing portion of the image. | A camera does not have such a blind spot. |
Also Read: Structure of Eye
Explore more differences between the human eye and camera in BYJU’S Biology. Alternatively, download BYJU’S mobile app to see a tailored learning experience.
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