it is said that the more the optical zoom the better the camera is, why is this so?
2006-12-13 16:26:30 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Consumer Electronics ➔ Cameras
Optical zoom is where the optics of a lens are used to make the image larger on your film or digital camera sensor. Similar to the effect that a telescope or a pair binoculars has with your eyes.
Digital zoom is where the pixilated image on your camera's sensor is enlarged, hence the degraded image quality. All you are doing is taking the existing pixels and enlarging them. Some fancy software may be used to improve the image, but it will never match an optical zoom.
Therefore, it is very important to know when looking to buy a digital camera which zoom the salesperson is talking about. Often you see something like 3x optical zoom and 7x or 12x digital zoom. Forget the digital bit, the optical is really the important one if you want quality.
2006-12-13 16:43:22 · answer #1 · answered by Peter the Great! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's because optical zoom is good and digital zoom sucks. Optical zoom is "real" zoom done with the camera lens. Digital zoom is really just a way to enlarge pixels and degrade the image. Ignore it completely when you are comparing cameras.
2006-12-14 00:28:51 · answer #2 · answered by Picture Taker 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Digital Zoom can also be referred to as 'fake zoom' since it enlargens the pixels from your outer-most zoomed picture.
Digital Zoom produces noisey and pixelated pictures - not desirable for viewing on your screen or for printing.
Purchase a Camera with more Optical Zoom (amongst other features).
2006-12-14 00:42:33 · answer #3 · answered by steeejei 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The others are all correct that is why when looking at cameras you want to buy the camera that has a optical range that best suits your needs..
2006-12-14 02:16:31 · answer #4 · answered by chiefof nothing 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋