| > | | | | gives you all the benefits of the camera's and |
| A guide to optical and digital zoom in digital video and | | | | camcorder's maximum resolution, combined with the |
| photography and the differences and benefits of each | | | | camera's ability to focus in tight on faraway action. |
| one for the best digital pictures and movies. The zoom | | | | Often times an optical zoom is more important than |
| lens of digital cameras and camcorders is the ability to | | | | resolution because it means you won't have to |
| vary focal length and, thus the angle of view. Both | | | | magnify your subject and then use software to crop |
| digital cameras and camcorders have zoom capability. | | | | the image and discard some of the resolution as a |
| For the consumer this can be confusing because there | | | | result. Optical zoom works much like the zoom lens on |
| are two different types, known as Digital Zoom and | | | | a 35 mm film camera. It changes the length of your |
| Optical Zoom. When in doubt always go for optical | | | | camera lens and draws the subject closer to you. |
| zoom when shopping for cameras and camcorders. | | | | Digital zoom has its place. It can be used if the only |
| Digital Zoom vs. Optical Zoom | | | | destination for your photos is to view them on your |
| The digital zoom enlarges images by magnifying the | | | | computer or cheap laptop computer, and send them |
| actual pixels. The finished image is thus affected and | | | | via email. Photos online can be a much lower quality in |
| lacks clear definition. Simply put, digital zoom merely | | | | the camera and still appear acceptable when sent |
| captures pixels and magnifies those and produces | | | | through e-mail or posted on a web gallery. But, if your |
| inferior photos, always go with optical zoom, which is a | | | | goal is to print any of your photos you need a camera |
| much better quality zoom capability. | | | | that has a high optical zoom rating and if your |
| Optical zoom, unlike digital zoom, actually utilizes the | | | | camcorder or camera also has a digital zoom function |
| movement of the lens. The focal length is changed | | | | you should turn it off when taking those pictures. Your |
| and the image that passes through the lens is | | | | digital photography will be much better in the end, even |
| captured with optical zoom. Higher optical zoom ratings | | | | if you are shooting from far away. |
| give better image quality. Simply put, optical zoom | | | | Another important camcorder or digital camera |
| magnifies the size of an image by adjusting the lens. | | | | shopping tip is to ignore digital zoom ratings within |
| Unlike digital zoom, optical zoom enlarges the subject | | | | optical zoom. Some vendors tout a high total zoom |
| without sacrificing resolution. | | | | that includes digital zoom, and it is not the true Optical |
| Optical zoom ratings vary from 3PX to 20PX and the | | | | Zoom rating. Always look for the true optical zoom |
| higher ratings give the best image quality. Optical zoom | | | | rating. |