Zoom

Optical Zoom v. Digital Zoom

Most digital cameras come with a zoom lens, which allows you to adjust the length of the lens to either move closer to the object (a long lens) or to move farther away from the object (a short lens).

Digital cameras usually come with two types of zoom on them. The first is the optical zoom which is identical to that found on traditional cameras. When using optical zoom, you can get closer to a particular object without any sacrifice in image quality.

Digital zoom is a new type of zoom that is found only in digital cameras. When using digital zoom, the camera itself modifies the image electronically to bring the object you are photographing closer. It does this by cropping the image and then blowing up the middle of the image resulting grainy, blocky images.

NOTE:

•If possible, walk closer to your subject rather than using the Zoom feature on your camera.

•Frame your subject… Look at the four corners of the view finder making certain there is not “icky” content distracting from your subject.

o If you can’t move in closer try the Zoom

o If you still have “icky” content, use the crop tool in your favorite image tool to capture your subject.

There is a world of difference between Click here for content source web site. the digital and optical zoom.

See the photo examples below of pictures taken with both types of zooms to illustrate the differences:

Here is a photo taken utilizing the digital zoom. You can see that the image is blurry and digitized.

Here is the same picture, taken using only the optical zoom. With most cameras, that range is much smaller and the zoom isn't as close. The quality of the image is far better though.

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IMT – Cholla Training Center

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