Changing the focal length of a camera by adjusting the physical zoom lens. All zoom lenses in film cameras and digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras are optical zoom. Digital point-and-shoot cameras as well as consumer and prosumer video camcorders have optical zoom, but they also have digital zoom.
Digital Is Software Zoom
At the telephoto side of the camera, the computer takes over and interpolates the results. For example, a still camera may have 3x optical zoom in the lens, but can process the image with its internal computer to 10x. Depending on the camera and subject matter, the software-created digital zoom can be quite acceptable or mediocre.
The Higher the Optical, the Better
The higher the optical zoom, the better the results. In a still camera, an optical zoom of 10x or more is called a "superzoom" lens. Note that if a still camera is advertised with "10x zoom," that does not necessarily mean optical zoom only. In many cases, the optical is 3x with the additional 7x being digital.
With camcorders, the optical zoom typically ranges from 10x to 64x, while the digital zoom can go from 100x to 1000x. See digital camera.
Digital Is Software Zoom
At the telephoto side of the camera, the computer takes over and interpolates the results. For example, a still camera may have 3x optical zoom in the lens, but can process the image with its internal computer to 10x. Depending on the camera and subject matter, the software-created digital zoom can be quite acceptable or mediocre.
The Higher the Optical, the Better
The higher the optical zoom, the better the results. In a still camera, an optical zoom of 10x or more is called a "superzoom" lens. Note that if a still camera is advertised with "10x zoom," that does not necessarily mean optical zoom only. In many cases, the optical is 3x with the additional 7x being digital.
With camcorders, the optical zoom typically ranges from 10x to 64x, while the digital zoom can go from 100x to 1000x. See digital camera.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Next-gen Flip mini camcorder to sport Wi-Fi; Cisco influence finally materializes
- Flip still behindWhen will we get some optical zoom??RE: Next-gen Flip mini camcorder to sport Wi-Fi; Cisco influence finally materializesnow it just needs a web browser, bigger screen, 3g, and calling capabilities and then you got a smartphone!Compete with SLR?People don't buy SLRs for the Wi-Fi.
- Discussion threads 2009-11-19
- Ultra-slim Casio EX-G1 is ready to take on some damage
- Casio's brand new Exilim EX-G1 is being praised as the world's slimmest and toughest pocket camera. To start, it's ultra-resistant to extreme conditions, including water, shock, dust and below-freezing temperatures. Ready? The 12.1-megapixel Casio digicam is intended for the extreme sporty type (and those who...
- Blog posts 2009-11-18
- Canon PowerShot S90
- The Canon PowerShot S90 is designed for photography enthusiasts and it carries a hefty price tag to prove it. It also has some of the best controls you'll find on a compact camera for manual and semimanual shooting modes. Its lens and photo quality are top notch, too. Actually, about...
- Product reviews 2009-11-12
- Samsung HZ15W
- The Samsung HZ15W is a camera that looks good on paper but doesn't live up to the specs. The main attraction is the 24mm-equivalent wide-angle lens with 10x zoom, which is certainly a plus in a camera this size, giving you a lot of shooting flexibility for less than $280....
- Product reviews 2009-11-05
- Finding pocket cameras with the best anti-shake feature
- All of us are susceptible to some camera shake now and again, either from unsteady hands, dim lighting or just a large gust of wind blowing past. Sometimes you need a camera that will account for this problem more than others. Here are three cameras that are reputed to have...
- Blog posts 2009-11-03
- What to look for in a Mini-HD camcorder
- Couple of thingsI have a Memorex small HD camcorder, looks similar to the Flip, bought cheap & works OK.2 annoyances: first, the digital "zoom" can't change while it is recording -- i.e., you have to set the zoom while NOT recording, then hit the record button. Not sure how...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-02
- Gadget Gal's daily deals: Acer Aspire One netbook, Sony CyberShot digital camera, KEF PicoForte 1 iPod speaker
- A KEF PicoForte 1 iPod speaker system, an Acer Aspire One netbook, and a Sony CyberShot 12.1-megapixel digital camera. Here are your daily deals for Friday, October 16, straight form the Gadget Gal: 1. Get the KEF PicoForte 1 Speaker System for iPod for $99.88 at OneCall. ...
- Blog posts 2009-10-16
- Gadget Gal's daily deals: Philips universal remote, Casio Exilim digital camera, Sharp LCD HDTV
- A Philips universal remote, a Casio Exilim digital camera, and a 46-inch Sharp LCD HDTV. Here are your daily deals for Wednesday, October 14, straight from the Gadget Gal: 1. Get the Philips SRU8015/37 Prestigo 15-Device Universal Remote at Woot.com today for $29.99. The remote can control...
- Blog posts 2009-10-14
- Gadget Gal's daily deals: Gateway desktop, Kodak EasyShare digital camera, Garmin nuvi GPS
- A Gateway desktop computer, a Kodak EasyShare 14-megapixel camera, and a Garmin nuvi 260W portable GPS system. Here are your daily deals for Monday, October 12, straight from the Gadget Gal: 1. Get a refurbished Gateway LX6810-01 desktop computer at Woot.com for $479.99. The computer features a...
- Blog posts 2009-10-12
- Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35
- Photos:Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35With the Lumix DMC-FZ35, Panasonic overhauls the insides of its popular FZ28 megazoom, offering higher resolution, an improved optical image stabilizer, faster AF, and support for the AVCHD Lite movie codec. But while the camera does deliver better performance and photo quality than its predecessor, they're still not...
- Product reviews 2009-10-08
- Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1
- Good low-light shooting without help from a flash is a rarely attained goal in the world of compact cameras. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1 does it with three of the company's own components: a new sensor design, a high-end lens, and a fast image processor. The combination pays off for low-light...
- Product reviews 2009-09-30
- Gadget Gal's daily deals: Garmin nuvi GPS, HP Pavilion notebook, Canon flash camcorder
- A Garmin nuvi portable GPS navigator, an HP Pavilion notebook, and a Canon flash memory camcorder. Here are your daily deals for Tuesday, September 30, straight from the Gadget Gal: 1. Amazon's Gold Box Deal of the Day is the Garmin nüvi 850 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS...
- Blog posts 2009-09-30
- Gadget Gal's daily deals: Nikon Coolpix digital camera, QuickBooks Pro 2009, Altec Lansing Orbit portable speaker
- A Nikon Coolpix digital camera, QuickBooks Pro 2009, and an Altec Lansing Orbit portable speaker for MP3 players. Here are your daily deals for Tuesday, September 29, straight from the Gadget Gal: 1. Get the Nikon Coolpix S710 14.5 Megapixel Digital Camera for $199.99 at Amazon. The...
- Blog posts 2009-09-29
- Poll: What kind of camera equipment do you need when traveling?
- Travel CamerasI carry DLSRs for vacation memories and a small point and shoot for when I don't want attention drawn to myself.RE: Poll: What kind of camera equipment do you need when traveling?I have a 'bridge' camera - smaller than a DSLR, larger than a 'point and shoot'. It's a...
- Discussion threads 2009-09-28
- Top digital camera phones on the market
- Check your specs on the NokiaThe 4x zoom is digital, not optical. With that said the best camera phone I have used thus far was the Nokia N82. Very similar specs to the N97, but with a Xenon flash. That made a huge difference indoors.I generally like...
- Discussion threads 2009-09-25
- Top digital camera phones on the market
- While the quality isn't nearly as good as a pocket camera or DSLR, there's no denying that camera phones are chasing them. After a LA Times study found that more pictures on the online photo-sharing hub, Flickr, came from the iPhone, it leads one to wonder what kind of pressure...
- Blog posts 2009-09-25
- Gadget Gal's daily deals: Polaroid PoGo, ViewSonic monitor, Canon PowerShot
- A Polaroid PoGo instant mobile printer, a ViewSonic widescreen LCD monitor, and a Canon PowerShot digital camera. Here are your daily deals for Wednesday, September 23, straight from the Gadget Gal: 1. Get the Polaroid PoGo Instant Mobile Printer for $29.99 today only, and while supplies last,...
- Blog posts 2009-09-23
- Gadget Gal's daily deals: HP Pavilion notebook, Samsung HDTV, Canon PowerShot digital camera
- A refurbished HP Pavilion 17-inch notebook, a 40-inch Samsung LCD HDTV, and a 12.1-megapixel Canon PowerShot digital camera. Here are your daily deals for Monday, September 21, straight from the Gadget Gal: 1. Get a refurbished HP Pavilion dv7-1261wm 17-inch Dual Core Entertainment Notebook with Blu-ray at...
- Blog posts 2009-09-21
- Poll: How often do you use your pocket camera?
- I fall into that "Only on special occasions" category so I selected every few weeks because that's about right. I always have it with me in my bag but typically only use it for vacations and festivals and that sort of thing.RE: Poll: How often do you use your pocket...
- Discussion threads 2009-09-17
- Gadget Gal's daily deals: Philips universal remote, Logitech keyboard, Kodak EasyShare digital camera
- A Philips 8-device universal remote, a Logitech diNovo keyboard, and a Kodak EasyShare 10.2-megapixel camera. Here are your daily deals for Wednesday, September 16, straight from the Gadget Gal: 1. Get the Philips SRU8008/27 Prestigo 8-Device Universal Remote with 1.4-inch LCD for $19.99 today only at...
- Blog posts 2009-09-16
Neighboring Terms
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- Keep Up With The Latest In Document Management with The DocuMentor.
-
Doc delivers the scoop on today's enterprise content management, printer maintenance, and all other issues related to document management. It's the DocuMentor Blog.
- Learn more >>
- The best support in the Linux business
-
If Linux is going to power your mission-critical applications, you'd better have the best support known to business. Novell was rated the top provider of Linux technical support.
- Learn more >>
- Reduce risk. Reduce complexity. Increase reliability.
-
A simplified IT environment isn't just less complex. It's also more reliable. Standardize on a single Linux platform with SUSE Linux Enterprise from Novell, and get the world's most interoperable Linux
- Learn more >>
- Learn more about tools to grow your business
-
The Business Essentials Guide provides you useful tools and templates to help grow your business and save you time with automated shipping solutions.
- Save time with the UPS Business Essentials Guide
- Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online - Free Six-Month Trial for Eligible Organizations
-
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online provides fast online access, simple contact management and better sales performance for a low monthly cost - the best value on the market today.
- Learn more about the free, six-month trial offer>>
SmartPlanet
- Thought-provoking progressive ideas on diverse topics that intersect with technology, business, and life, and matter to the world at large. Visit SmartPlanet
- More from IBM
-
- How to Drive Better Business Outcomes with Exceptional Web Experiences Download the eBook
- Driving Business Agility through SOA Connectivity & Integration Read the White Paper from IBM
- Linking Decisions and Information for Organizational Performance Read the Tom Davenport study
