If you are relatively new to photography, you can get overwhelmed trying to figure out what zoom power you need or the difference between the different types of zoom available. Lately there are several new terms referring to zooming that have been introduced in the language used to market cameras, which only adds to the confusion. This paper is targeted to shed some light onto the problem and assist you in making a decent choice when about to purchase.

The majority of mid-priced digital cameras come with a 3x/4x lens installed. The optical and digital zoom is what these numbers reference. The majority of cameras come with both optical and digital zoom, albeit a few of the low-priced ones are exceptions, which often leads to dull and fuzzy pictures. The function of a digital camera’s zoom lens is nearly the same as the one of a film camera and does the same thing, namely bringing the subject nearer. Regardless, digital cameras have two types of zoom - optical and digital. The zoom found on a traditional camera is quite similar to optical zoom.

On the flip side, digital zoom simulates zooming by enlarging chosen portions of the photo. It should not be confused with photo editing, which refers to applications utilized to alter the picture post-production. An additional misconception about this style of zoom is that it is specially useful when taking long distance pictures. This is completely false. Optical zoom is key in a digital camera, and it should be the criterion used when comparing different models rather than digital or total zoom.

Optical zoom is what the quality of the camera is based on. To generate even more confusion, producers have started to use the term of “total zoom”. In truth, however, this does not actually exist. At best, it can refer to the fact that a camera is equipped with both the digital and optical zoom functions. APS and traditional 35mm cameras were equipped with only optical zoom. The image is brought closer to the photographer with optical zoom when using an incorporated lens.

Digital zoom is associated with digital video cameras by professionals. They do not regard it as real zoom for digital cameras due to the fact that it only enlarges a portion of the photo. In other words, there will be a loss of photo quality because it crops out part of the image, while enlarging the rest. It operates in the same style as the cropping and resizing options of applications featuring photo editing. One of the newest ideas to digital photography is the ’smart zoom’. This style of zoom stays away from interpolation, which in turn maintains the quality of the photo.

When purchasing a digital camera many individuals compare optical zoom to resolution. This is totally illogical. There is no relation between the digital zoom and the resolution as they are entirely different. Optical zoom references the power of the lens as compared to the resolution, which refers to the amount of pixels in the picture. It can neither increase or decrease the resolution as it has nothing to do with it. Disabling the camera’s digital zoom is another option. Quite a number of photographers do not believe in this feature and would rather edit the picture themselves using a computer. There are many photographers who prefer to crop and re-size their photos themselves rather than use this feature because they do not trust the feature. This really isn’t the best option, however, as it reduces the effectiveness of the camera.

Digital and Optical Zoom FAQ

Question: Digital versus optical zoom in camcorders: How do they work side by side?
I understand that a high optical zoom (when used) delivers a clear picture while a high digital zoom (when used) delivers an unclear picture. What I want to know is, do these 2 different features work dependantly or independantly from each other? Are there camcorders that come with both high optical zooms and low digital zooms at the same time? Or does having a high optical zoom inevitably impose the camera with a high digital zoom? And, if this is the sad but true case, can the digital zoom be deactivated during shooting, leaving active only the optical zoom, so that zooming is done optically instead of digitally, for the sake of capturing a clear and well defined picture, instead of a fuzzy, pixelated image? By the same token, just for knowledge purposes, can the optical zoom be deactivated while leaving active only the digital zoom?

Answer: Typically, the optical zoom would be used 1st until it has reached the upper limit, then the digital zoom takes over at that point. Therefore, the digital zoom is more of a supplement to the optical zoom.

Question: What is the difference between digital and optical zoom?
I’m stuck between two cameras
camera A has 4X optical zoom and 2X digital zoom
camera B has 3.8X optical and 4X digital zoom
I really like A but does this difference matter much?

Answer: optical = good
digital = bad
With optical it actually moves lenses around to bend the light and enlarge the image on the sensor. With digital, all it does is crop the image and compute a new image. As long as the camera is held steady, optical zoom shouldn’t affect picture quality. Digital zoom always screws up the picture quality.

Question: What does optical and digital zoom mean?
My digital camera has 2.0megapixels and 5.0 digital zoom. I see cameras with 3.0 optical zoom and 4 digital etc but don’t know how this compares to my 5.0 digital zoom. If I want to get something a bit better than the camera I have what should I be looking for re megapixels and optical/digital zoom? Not looking to spend a lot of money - around $200

Answer: On an optical zoom the lens actually moves to do the zoom. On a digital zoom it is done electronically by just increasing the size of the image. Optical zoom is much better. You can always do the digital zoom yourself with a photo editing program.

Question: When it comes to Digital Camcorders - what is the simple difference beween the terms digital and optical zoom?
I read somewhere once, digital zoom is actualy of secondary importance to a camcorder enthusiast and that to get a sense of the power of a cam, you find out its ‘optical zoom’ , fine I suppose.

So whats the difference between digital zoom and optical zoom ?

Answer: ya its true that digital zoom is of no or secondary importance. the main difference comes when you want to take a picture which is a distance and you want to take a pic.now optical zoom actually can zoom to the object (as prescribed on the cam or video cam like 4x or 6x etc.. ) you will no lose the picture clarity. where as the digital zoom can be larger then the optical but actually coming to truth the digital zoom never takes the picture of the distance objects but instead it zooms the picture in the optical zoom.ie if the picture has a tree and u want the see it clearly a fruit on it you zoom in the picture viewer the clarity of the fruit drcreases the same thing happens in digital zoom. so opt for cam with larger optical zoom never worry about the digital one. go to the source below get the clear picture.

Question: When digital and optical zoom are combined on a camera?
I am looking to buy a certain camera that boasts both optical and digital zoom. I am not interested in the digital zoom. Do these cameras that have both types of zoom options use them both at the same time? For example, if I want a 2X optical zoom shot, will the digital zoom be included or can I choose to use just the optical? None of the cameras I look at explain this.

Answer: No, the camera will use the optical zoom first and then use the digital zoom second. Some cameras will alow you to turn off the digital zoom if you want. Buy the camera that has the highest optical zoom you can afford.

Question: What is the difference between optical zoom and digital zoom on a digital camera?
I want to be able to zoom in and take clear pictures, so do I buy a camera with more optical or digital zoom?

Answer: get optical zoom. optical zoom is a real zoom, where the lenses make the image larger. digital zoom is taking the whole picture, selecting a small part of that, and then enlarging that part without an increase in picture quality.

Question: Does a digital camera with higher megapixels have better picture resolution? What is optical zoom?
bigger numbers for digital cameras like optical and digital zoom and megapixels better for a camera? And if you could please explain what those 3 things are

Answer: Megapixels is how many millions of pixels the end result will have, so the bigger the number the higher the picture resolution. Anything more than 6 Megapixels will give you great 4 X 6 photos and you can go bigger without loosing too much quality, but if you want great big pictures, you need a higher resolution.

Optical zoom is zoom using lenses. This is the best method of zoom available, so if you want to see things farther away a lot clearer, look for a higher number in this category. But remember that the bigger the zoom, the less stable you’ll be able to hold the picture, so a tripod may be necessary for using this.

Digital zoom I personally refuse to use. It is where the image is zoomed in using the camera software itself, and using this can degrade the picture quality immensely. A lot of cameras offer 100x or more digital zoom, which in my opinion only results in crappy pictures. Some have success with this feature, but my advice is to avoid it.

Question: I am buying a new digital camera. Is it worth the extra money for the higher optical zoom? 12x vs 4x?
I am probably going to buy the Canon Powershot. One version has 6.0 megapixels with a 12x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom. The other choice has 7.1 megapixels, but lower optical & digital zooms. How do I choose?

Answer: Never go for Digital Zoom.Its better to choose 6MP with the 12x Optical Zoom(Canon S3 IS). If you really need extra MP, Sony DSC H5 (7.2MP,12x Optical Zoom) is another choice for you.I would suggest Canon S3 IS.Leave that one with lower optical zoom.