Subject magnification that results from the lens.
Means that the camera has a real multi-focal length lens, this is not the same as a "Digital Zoom" which magnifies the center portion of the picture.
A real multi-focal length lens in the digital camera not to be confused with digital zoom which only magnifies the center portion of the image
Using manipulation of a lens system to provide increased or decreased magnification. Optical zoom maintains a higher image quality than digital zoom.
a true zoom and produces the best images
a true zoom that actually extends and retracts to change its focal length
brings you closer to the object without having to move. The digital zoom only changes the presentation of existing data, while the optical zoom actually increases the size of the data collected by the sensor.
changes the cameras focal length from wide-angle to telephoto
Changes the magnification of the image using the actual len (optical lens). Represents an actual zoom without quality loss.
Like the telephoto zoom found on many film cameras, an optical zoom uses the lens rather than the image enhancing software used by digital zooms. You can maintain the image quality and resolution when you zoom in on your subject.
The focal length of the lens extends and retracts so an image is magnified by the lens itself. Whatever the focal length of the lens, image resolution stays the same. Optical zooms produce the best photo quality (see digital zoom).
Operates the lens of the camera to move you closer to your subject. Uses conventional lenses to provide the best resolution.
Optical zoom magnifies the size of an image by adjusting the lens. Unlike digital zoom, optical zoom enlarges the subject without sacrificing resolution.
Zoom achieved by moving elements in a lens. There is no loss in quality.
A way of enlarging a subject using focal lenses (i.e. the way a standard camera lens zooms).
Creates a zoomed in picture by physically moving two lenses. Creates a closer image without any loss of quality as occurs when electronically magnifying the image (Digital Zoom). Most modern digital camcorders have an optical zoom up to about 20x - digital zoom of up to 800 x then takes over.
Digital zoom works by enlarging the central 50% of the image. While this is fine for most uses, if you will be taking a lot of long-range telephoto pictures you might want to consider a camera with an optical zoom function. Optical zoom magnifies the image using a traditional multi-focal length lens. Combined with digital zoom, this allows you to take more detailed pictures of distant objects. For example, if the magnification level is measured as 3x optical zoom, and the camera's minimum focal length is 50m, then it has the ability to zoom up to 150m.
Magnification of your field of view. Camera specs will list multiples of optical magnification based on a 35 mm camera (3x magnification equals 35-105 mm).
Optical zoom lenses on a digital camera use all of the CCD image sensor's area to capture the image. Digital zoom essentially crops the image to deliver an apparent increased zoom effect but the trade-off is image quality.
Also known as "telephoto" or "true zoom", this works like the zoom on a traditional film camera. Elements within the lens move, reducing the field of view and making the object that you're shooting appear closer.
Subject magnification by the use of moving optics. No degradation of image quality as in Digital Zoom.
A true zoom effect unlike a digital camera's digital zoom.
The ability to magnify a subject for close-ups, by adjusting the camera's lens assembly (thus the name "optical"). Most current digital cameras include an optical zoom lens of some kind. Specs for zoom commonly vary between 2X and 10X, 2X being less range and 10X being considerably more. Although optical zoom specifications may look low compared to digital zoom specifications, remember that optical zoom does not result in image degradation.
Optical zoom varies the focal length of a lens, and therefore subject magnification. Optical zoom gives better quality than digital zoom.
This is the same kind of zoom lens found in traditional cameras. An optical zoom lens actually moves to get wide-angle, telephoto and macro (close-up) shots. And unlike a digital zoom, an optical zoom will not reduce the resolution of your photos.
Also called telephoto or true zoom, optical zoom is produced by the optical lens itself, as with a traditional film-based camera, producing enlargement without degradation.
A zoom lens which uses movement of lens elements to achieve various fields of view. Regardless of whether the zoom is set for wide angle or telephoto viewing, the resolution of the image remains the same.
An optical zoom actually moves, allowing wide-angle, telephoto or close-up pictures. It's the same kind of zoom that SLR film cameras use but, unlike the digital zoom, it doesn't reduce the resolution.
An optical zoom physically changes the length of the lens to increase the zoom on the camera. This type of zoom is the best because it does not need to interpolate the results.
Works like the zoom on a traditional film camera. Elements within the lens move, reducing the field of view and making the object that you're shooting appear closer. Image quality does not degrade as the amount of optical zoom increases.
A feature that alters a camera's focal length, filling more of the frame with the subject. Better than digital zoom.
Optical zoom uses the lens to focus in on a distant object. Use it to bring closer the image subject. Generally expressed as how many times (i.e. 4x, 2x) the object is made larger.
An optically formulated imaging device with continually variable focal lengths. Allows users to vary subject magnification without changing position, as with the telephoto zooms used on interchangeable lens film cameras.
This is the only zoom you need be concerned with on a digital camera. This is where you can actually alter the focal length of the lens. Digital zooming is a fake, or simulated zoom, much like enlarging a photo on your computer.