2007-03-25 18:34:24 · 4 answers · asked by Kris B 1 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Cameras
here's an article that has a good explanation of the difference between optical & digital zoom:
http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/Glossary/Digital_Imaging/Digital_zoom_01.htm
2007-03-26 06:08:54 · answer #1 · answered by Chuckie 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Digital zoom is low quality and is digitally enhanced. The picture will turn out grainy and pixelated. Optical zoom is the magnification created soley by your camera lens. This image is very sharp and natural. The digital zoom kicks in where your optical zoom stops. Let's say you have an optical zoom of 3x and a digital zoom of 6x. After 3x magnification from the optical lens, the digital artificial zoom kicks in by making an artificial picture or magnification. I never use digital zoom because of the poor quality on pictures. I turn it off on my digital camera. I hope this helps!
2007-03-26 01:45:27 · answer #2 · answered by richardsam7 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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.
2007-03-26 01:41:27 · answer #3 · answered by Picture Taker 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Optical Zoom, zoom in using lens (good result)
Digital Zoom, zoom by enlarging pixel (poor result)
2007-03-26 03:07:37 · answer #4 · answered by anderson 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋