Digital Zoom Vs. Optical Zoom - What Is The Difference?

The majority of digital camera models availablezoom in excessively because the digital zoom will
today offer both optical zoom and digital zoomtypically take over after the optical zoom has
functions. Many novice photographers usually aregone as far as it can go.
not completely sure just how both of theseIn cases where you're aiming to get a closer shot
distinct zoom methods work, and ways in whichof a subject, but still would like to preserve the
they can be used to realize distinctive results.photograph's quality, there are a couple of
Optical zoom on a camera performs in the sameprocedures you could take to achieve just that.
manner a 35mm film camera's zoom lens works.One slightly obvious way would be to move
In short, it changes the length of your digitalcloser to the particular object that you are
camera lens drawing your current photographicphotographing. Even a foot or two might make a
subject nearer to you. While doing this, the qualitylot of difference. In case that isn't an option,
of the photo is retained without being sacrificed inconsider adjusting your camera to take photos at
any way.the maximum file size. This will allow you to shoot
Digital zoom works in a distinct manner by simplythe highest quality picture that you can crop later
taking a photo, cropping it to your selected area,on in an image editing program like Photoshop.
then enlarging the selected portion. This leads to aDespite the fact that optical zoom produces
reduction in the photo's quality, somewheresignificantly better quality photos, there is certainly
between a small to substantial quality loss.still a purpose for digital zoom. If your pictures are
So although digital zoom may well provide youusually delivered by email or posted on the
with a larger view of your photographic subject,internet, the quality does not really need to be
your picture will become slightly blurry and detailsgreat. Digital zoom should be fine for these
will be lost. If at all possible, it would be a sensiblefunctions. Then again, if you are planning on
idea to turn off your digital camera's digital zoomprinting\printing out your photos, you need to
option. This will make sure you don't automaticallystay with optimal zoom and turn off digital zoom.