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IMT – Cholla Training Center
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
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.
Click here for content source web site.
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.