Camera zoom is a smart tool, very useful for capturing images, this function allows you to record images at long distances, the big problem is that it is not always possible to combine the resource with the sharpness of the image, which in the ordinary machines come out with terrible quality.
The bad reputation that has gained the zoom over time, due to the questionable quality of some captured images, is due to the fact that people still use home cameras or mobile phones. Ordinary digital cameras typically have a digital zoom of no more than 5 MP.
- Another factor that causes distortion in the images captured with zoom is the misuse of the tool.
- Since when taking remote images the user ends up using the zoom to the maximum.
- Affecting the quality of the image.
- In fact the cameras have a system that enlarges the focused image and excludes the surrounding images.
If you want to take perfect photos, whether you are zooming or not, pay special attention to the settings of the photographic equipment, since then the main problem has been the type of zoom and the mode of use, basically there are 2 types of zoom, optical zoom and digital zoom.
Knowing the specificities of each tool is essential to differentiate them, choose the one that best suits your needs and take advantage of the zoom, after all, what type of zoom is better ?, what are the pros and cons of each one?Do you consider when buying?How to use?
Answers to the questions above and other questions will be followed in the following topics in this article that was prepared for you, a photography enthusiast.
There are people who think that zoom is the same, but there are striking differences between digital zoom and optical zoom, learn to differentiate each one from them and leave doubts aside when buying, don’t be fooled by ads that offer a Zoom 10x, do it right at the time of purchase , don’t be fooled by quantity, first look at the quality.
The digital camera has an internal system that simulates the optical approach of the object, so there is no need to change the lens, because the software already performs the approach automatically. This type of zoom is widely used in the latest non-professional models. Compact digital cameras.
On the other hand, optical zoom is formed by overlaying the lenses inside the camera. This type of zoom causes the image to actually expand and therefore is unlikely to cause distortions in the enlarged image.
Although digital zoom enlarges the image, compared to optical zoom it is much smaller. This does not mean that it is a fully consumable resource, but should be used as little as possible, especially with the highest function.
To understand how digital zoom works, think about what happens when you try to enlarge an image in a computer program, when you increase the size of the photo, these squares appear and reach the maximum size, the image is completely distorted.
When zooming in on a camera is enabled, it focuses on zooming in on the focus image. The problem is that this magnification only occurs in the focus and the image around it looks blurry. The photo on the camera screen appears to be normal, but when viewed on the computer or printed, the difference is noticeable.
To take normal photos, especially those that will not be printed, you can use digital zoom, as it has the advantage of being comfortable to use, since you do not need to change lenses.
Cameras that use digital zoom have a simple configuration and are more compact. With their smaller size and lighter weight, digital zoom devices are more ergonomic and can be easily transported.
In addition to being a way to approach images more practically, digital zoom cameras have the advantage of price because they are much cheaper than professional cameras.
The main advantage of optical zoom is the quality of the images captured, since the optical zoom uses several sensors that allow a perfect resolution and similar to the original photo, another point to highlight of the optical zoom is the detail of the images, since the sensors allow to observe the small details.
Optical zoom is ideal for professional photos, trips and special moments, such as shooting a wedding party or a concert by your favorite band. In this way, professional lenses optimize the zoom and allow the use of effects that will leave your photo or video realistically. Quality.
Optical zoom can be compared to a magnifying glass or even a binocular that, by the position of the lenses, promotes a complete view of objects away from the observer. When you change the optical zoom to small, you can call up a real image.
Digital zoom has many drawbacks in optics. In addition to the low resolution of the image, when zooming is enabled, this function can make the image shaky and blurry.
In addition, digital zoom uses sensors that actually perform a very inaccurate zoom simulation, because the digital zoom system does not zoom in on the image, in fact, it only enlarges the image; this is the main reason for poor image quality.
Although this is the best option to capture better images, optical zoom has a big drawback, which is the price of the lens kit and camera.
Being paired with a professional camera, this zoom ends up being an inconvenience in terms of the weight and size of the camera, which is always larger than compact cameras, the reason for this weight difference is the size of the battery that has more charge than the batteries used in normal digital cameras.
Assessing the difference between optical and digital zoom clearly shows that optical zoom is best to promote actual approximation of images; However, it is necessary to observe the set and see what is beyond the properties of this resource, because the use of optical zoom is very personal and will depend on the habits of each user.
It is necessary to evaluate the actual use of this tool, because unless the photographer is a professional, it will hardly be necessary to use optical zoom, in this way the cost-benefit ratio reaches zero, since the resource ends up being forgotten in everyday life.
If you are a professional photographer or even an amateur, but you normally take pictures that require the use of the zoom tool, the optical tool is therefore essential, because it is the only one that really zooms the image. use of zoom, if there is not frequent use, a digital zoom camera is worth it.
As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, it is not only the type of zoom that will define the image quality, but also the use, it is not enough to know the difference between optical zoom and digital zoom, but first you need to know when and how to use this type of tools.
In both types of zoom, it is important to use them when you really need them, especially when it comes to digital zoom, because the higher the zoom applied during capture, the more likely the photo is to be shaky and poor quality. .
In the case of digital cameras, it is important to zoom when the camera is stopped, hence the need to buy a tripod that will allow the camera to stay still and avoid annoying points in the images. In the most modern models, manufacturers offer motion sensors that correct the photo.
If it is necessary to capture images of animals, objects and people inaccessible, zooming is really essential, even for the safety of the photographer. In cases where you can get up and take a few steps, zoom should be provided to ensure quality. images.
With ultrazoom technology, photos are taken with better quality without the need for digital resources. Optical zoom is not directly related to size, but to variation. This way, when you see an ad indicating that the zoom is 5x, it means the image will be approximately 5 times higher.
In photography, the distance between the photographer and the subject is called the focal length, this distance to the naked eye is about 50 mm, with the use of zoom this distance begins to exceed 50 mm. A lens that promotes a reliable approximation of objects, exceeding these 50 mm, is the telephoto lens.
Some lenses allow an approximation of up to 504 mm, these are more versatile and assume a dual function, as they reduce and zoom in. The Panasonic DMC-FZ18 camera and Olympus SP-550 UZ are optical zoom photographic equipment that allows you to approach the focal length up to 18 times.
These lenses, which allow for closer approximation, can also be used on some mobile phone models. Using an adapter, the photographer captures images with an optical zoom and does not care about the stains caused by digital zoom, so it is worth disabling digital zoom on the device.
When analyzing the differences between these two types of zoom, optical and digital, it is concluded that both analog and digital zoom have their advantages, but on the other hand they also have some drawbacks.
Thus, the choice of a camera can focus not only on the type of zoom, but also on other fundamental aspects that give quality to the images obtained when shooting with the zoom.
It should be noted that in addition to zooming, the camera settings also interfere with images, as some sensors are able to produce effects that correct small defects, such as tremors caused by the use of zoom and camera movement.
The ISO number, lens aperture and flash are also very important to ensure a good image, as they determine the sensitivity to light, the shading of the images, the sharpness of the colors and other important aspects that, combined with the optical zoom, allow for excellent photography.
Before choosing the camera and zoom type, evaluate how you will use the equipment as well as its main lenses, because what is the point of acquiring a high-tech camera and a superzoom, if you are not going to use the lenses that allow you to approximate the image?
As mentioned above, the price difference between a digital zoom home camera and a semi-professional or professional camera is really surprising, so if there is no real accuracy in zooming, you don’t have to pay 3 or 4 times more than the value of a normal camera.
In the case of someone who does not give up a good photograph, regardless of the distance of the object, he will not give up the technological resources to get the best photography, in this case the ideal is to invest a little more money and buy a more modern camera, TYPE DSLR, with optical zoom.
In addition, there is already an option on the market for digital cameras that follow a common terrain and have two types of zoom, in this way you can use both digital zoom and optical zoom, you can even turn off the digital zoom and ensure greater image accuracy.
So was the difference between optical and digital zoom clear?Have more questions about choosing and using one of these zoom types?Contact us and share your doubts, so you can help yourself more effectively.