| There are two types of zooms used with digital | | | | A 28mm-200mm equivalent lens changes from a |
| cameras: optical and digital. | | | | wide angle to an extreme telephoto. |
| Optical Zoom | | | | A 35mm-105mm equivalent zoom is adequate for |
| An optical zoom changes magnification by moving | | | | most users. If you plan on doing landscapes or |
| glass in the lens, changing the image falling on the | | | | picture taking in small, confined areas, consider a |
| sensor. Using an optical zoom maintains picture | | | | camera that can zoom to a 28mm equivalent. |
| quality. | | | | Optical Zoom as 2x, 3x, 5x... |
| Zoom Ranges and 35mm Equivalents | | | | Taking the 35mm-105mm example above, we |
| Optical zoom lenses usually have a specification | | | | divide 105 by 35 to get a 3x zoom. A |
| called "equivalent in 35mm." This tells you the | | | | 28mm-105mm would be approximately a 4x |
| zoom range of the digital camera compared to a | | | | zoom, and a 35mm-350mm would be a 10x |
| 35mm film camera. Typical 35mm equivalent | | | | zoom. |
| zoom ranges you will see listed are 35mm-70mm | | | | Digital Zoom |
| or 35mm-105mm. | | | | A digital zoom does not change, magnification. It |
| For example: | | | | simply crops the image on the sensor to magnify |
| Wide-angle means a lens takes in more than | | | | the image. Because less sensor is used, you use |
| normal viewing perspective. Telephoto lenses | | | | fewer pixels. This decreases picture quality. When |
| magnify the subject, bring it closer. Using these | | | | comparing cameras, always use the optical |
| numbers as a guide, you can get an idea of the | | | | number as this is much more important. You can |
| range of zoom lenses and what they will do for | | | | get the same effect as a digital zoom by using |
| you. | | | | software to crop the photos. |
| 28mm.....wide angle | | | | Note About Digital Zoom |
| 35mm......slight wide angle | | | | As digital cameras become more sophisticated |
| 50mm.....normal perspective | | | | and powerful they are becoming capable of |
| 70mm.....slight telephoto | | | | delivering "optical tricks" that render pictures that |
| 105mm.....moderate telephoto | | | | are remarkably stable and good looking. Only |
| 135mm.....strong telephoto | | | | recently, cameras "digital zooms" are getting |
| 200mm+.....extreme telephoto So, a | | | | much better. Like all things though some |
| 35mm-105mm equivalent zoom lens changes | | | | companies are better than others. Do your |
| from a slight wide angle to a moderate telephoto. | | | | research. |