2006-06-18 19:16:10 · 4 answers · asked by Cliff B 1 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Cameras
Basically, it means that using the lens of the camera (it can move) you can make a picture as if you were 6, 9, 12 times closer.
Digital zoom on the other hand does it using approximations and special software. In my opinion you should not buy a camera with optical zoom less than 9.
2006-06-18 19:22:44 · answer #1 · answered by levgrz 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The 3x, 9x, 12x tells you the extent of the optical zoom range. What it doesn't tell you, is where exactly the zoom begins and ends. For this, you need to look at the range in 'mm'. For example 35-350mm (350/35=10x zoom).
If the lower number is 35mm or less, the zoom goes into wide angel territory.
If the higher number is 200mm or more it can do some pretty powerful magnification.
Most people use the range 35-70mm for roughly 90% of their pictures.
2006-06-18 21:32:36 · answer #2 · answered by OMG, I ♥ PONIES!!1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
12x Optical Zoom
2016-12-12 12:12:07 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As above and also. It means the camera comes with a varible lens that goes from a wide angle up through a telephoto by how ever many steps. Hense 6 times, 9 times etc.
2006-06-18 19:29:54 · answer #4 · answered by Dusty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋