What Is Optical Zoom in a Camera?

There are so many different camera terms that it can be difficult for a layman to know what he needs. Terms like "megapixels," "optical zoom" and "digital zoom" are included in descriptions and specs, but you simply want the best pictures that you can get. Here's a look at what optical zoom is and how it can help your photography.

Identification

Optical zoom is the ability of a camera lens to move in and out to magnify the subject of your photo. The camera uses a built-in motor to zoom in and out.

Significance

Optical zoom lenses allow you to focus in on what you're taking a picture of without ever having to move. If the subject of your photo is too small, or not quite detailed enough, simply hit the zoom button and focus in to create a larger photo of it.

Use

Cameras usually have a button in the upper right corner labeled with a "W" and "T" on either side. The W stands for wide angle, which will zoom out, and the T stands for telephoto, which will zoom in and magnify your subject.

Number

Optical zoom is depicted as a number such as 3x or 4x. This number is a calculation of the largest focal length of the lens to the smallest focal length (3 to 1 or 4 to 1).

Optical vs Digital

Digital zoom expands the photo digitally and adds pixels that don't exist to increase the photo size. Essentially, the camera takes an educated guess as to how the picture would look if zoomed in closer. Optical zoom is superior to digital zoom because it provides accurate pictures without filling in pixels. Digital zoomed photos often appear blurry or pixelated.