If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Canon zoom question
Will someone explain the difference between optical zoom and digital zoom to
this newbie? Thanks. Will |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Canon zoom question
Will wrote:
Will someone explain the difference between optical zoom and digital zoom to this newbie? Optical zoom involves the moving of lens elements to produce a longer or shorter focal length of a lens. Digital zoom is a marketing buzzword that means digital cropping of only the center of a frame. Basically, digital zoom is worthless, and it could be done easier and better in an image editing program anyway. ---Bob Gross--- |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Canon zoom question
Robertwgross wrote:
Will wrote: Will someone explain the difference between optical zoom and digital zoom to this newbie? Optical zoom involves the moving of lens elements to produce a longer or shorter focal length of a lens. Digital zoom is a marketing buzzword that means digital cropping of only the center of a frame. Basically, digital zoom is worthless, and it could be done easier and better in an image editing program anyway. Yep. Although my Dad likes digital zoom because he doesn't do any image editing. He just prints what he shoots. He's not that concerned with quality. Greg -- Destroy your safe and happy lives Before it is too late The battles we fought were long and hard Just not to be consumed by rock'n'roll |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Canon zoom question
I really appreciate your reply. Is there a way to disable the digital zoom
or do I have to actually engage it somehow when I wish to use it. Frankly, I don't know if it's being used each time I click or not. I'm too new at these cameras right now. I have a Canon Powershot 200. "Robertwgross" wrote in message ... Will wrote: Will someone explain the difference between optical zoom and digital zoom to this newbie? Optical zoom involves the moving of lens elements to produce a longer or shorter focal length of a lens. Digital zoom is a marketing buzzword that means digital cropping of only the center of a frame. Basically, digital zoom is worthless, and it could be done easier and better in an image editing program anyway. ---Bob Gross--- |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Canon zoom question
In article . net,
"bb" writes: Will someone explain the difference between optical zoom and digital zoom to this newbie? Thanks. Optical zoom is implemented through a variable focal length lens system. When you increase the zoom lens' focal length its magnification increases. The advantage of optical zoom is that image quality (prime pixels) is maintained throughout the zoom range. The disadvantage of optical zoom is heavier complex expensive optics. Digital zoom is accomplished by empty magnification. A subarea of your dSLR's sensor chip is digitally blown up to full sensor size by adding interpolated (averaged) pixels among the subarea's prime pixels. The advantage of digital zoom is (relatively) low cost -- the digital zoom functionality can be incorporated into the dSLR electronics at little additional expense. The disadvantage of digital zoom is loss of image quality at high magnifications. Some camcorders have both optical zoom and digital zoom. I assume some dSLRs also have both optical zoom and digital zoom capabilities. If your system has optical zoom capabilities, use the optical zoom first -- you always can postprocess digitally for additional magnification. 'Hope that helps. Richard Ballard MSEE CNA4 KD0AZ -- Consultant specializing in computer networks, imaging & security Listed as rjballard in "Friends & Favorites" at www.amazon.com Last book review: "Guerrilla Television" by Michael Shamberg |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Canon zoom question
Thanks, Richard. Now let's see if I have this...when I use the zoom feature
on my Canon Powershot 200 (to get closer to the image), I'm using optical zoom. Does this feature lessen the quality of the photo? Should I just move closer to the subject rather than using the zoom? Also, when am I using the digital zoom, if at all? I am unaware at this point when it comes into play, if it's automatic. Thanks for your patient explanations. "Richard Ballard" wrote in message ... Optical zoom is implemented through a variable focal length lens system. When you increase the zoom lens' focal length its magnification increases. The advantage of optical zoom is that image quality (prime pixels) is maintained throughout the zoom range. The disadvantage of optical zoom is heavier complex expensive optics. Digital zoom is accomplished by empty magnification. A subarea of your dSLR's sensor chip is digitally blown up to full sensor size by adding interpolated (averaged) pixels among the subarea's prime pixels. The advantage of digital zoom is (relatively) low cost -- the digital zoom functionality can be incorporated into the dSLR electronics at little additional expense. The disadvantage of digital zoom is loss of image quality at high magnifications. Some camcorders have both optical zoom and digital zoom. I assume some dSLRs also have both optical zoom and digital zoom capabilities. If your system has optical zoom capabilities, use the optical zoom first -- you always can postprocess digitally for additional magnification. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Canon zoom question
Thanks, Richard. Now let's see if I have this...when I use the zoom feature
on my Canon Powershot 200 (to get closer to the image), I'm using optical zoom. Does this feature lessen the quality of the photo? Should I just move closer to the subject rather than using the zoom? Also, when am I using the digital zoom, if at all? I am unaware at this point when it comes into play, if it's automatic. Thanks for your patient explanations. "Richard Ballard" wrote in message ... Optical zoom is implemented through a variable focal length lens system. When you increase the zoom lens' focal length its magnification increases. The advantage of optical zoom is that image quality (prime pixels) is maintained throughout the zoom range. The disadvantage of optical zoom is heavier complex expensive optics. Digital zoom is accomplished by empty magnification. A subarea of your dSLR's sensor chip is digitally blown up to full sensor size by adding interpolated (averaged) pixels among the subarea's prime pixels. The advantage of digital zoom is (relatively) low cost -- the digital zoom functionality can be incorporated into the dSLR electronics at little additional expense. The disadvantage of digital zoom is loss of image quality at high magnifications. Some camcorders have both optical zoom and digital zoom. I assume some dSLRs also have both optical zoom and digital zoom capabilities. If your system has optical zoom capabilities, use the optical zoom first -- you always can postprocess digitally for additional magnification. |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Canon zoom question
"bb" wrote in message
news I really appreciate your reply. Is there a way to disable the digital zoom or do I have to actually engage it somehow when I wish to use it. Frankly, I don't know if it's being used each time I click or not. I'm too new at these cameras right now. I have a Canon Powershot 200. Which 200 model? For instance, the A200 has a fixed lens with a 4X digital zoom... Not much you could do about that! dwight |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Canon zoom question
S200 elph
Which 200 model? For instance, the A200 has a fixed lens with a 4X digital zoom... Not much you could do about that! dwight |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Canon zoom question
In article . net,
"bb" writes: Thanks, Richard. Now let's see if I have this...when I use the zoom feature on my Canon Powershot 200 (to get closer to the image), I'm using optical zoom. Does this feature lessen the quality of the photo? I am not familiar with the Powershot 200. If it has an optical zoom, image quality should be maintained throughout the zoom range -- Canon is a reputable OEM. Should I just move closer to the subject rather than using the zoom? That depends upon your desired depth of field -- depth of field reduces both by moving closer and by increasing optical focal length (optical magnification). I am not prepared to quantify the difference. (Digital zoom degrades image quality, but does not reduce depth of field.) Another factor is lighting. Sometimes you might want to move closer to a subject to take advantage of natural shade. In portraiture, a short (35mm film equivalent 75mm or 90mm) telephoto lens produces pleasing effects by compressing range distances -- e.g., the short telephoto lens does not make peoples' noses look excessively long. This is a scene-dependent composition question that can not be answered generally. Also, when am I using the digital zoom, if at all? I am unaware at this point when it comes into play, if it's automatic. Thanks for your patient explanations. I am not familiar with the Powershot 200 and whether it has digital zoom. You need to consult your camera manual. 'Hope that helps. Richard Ballard MSEE CNA4 KD0AZ -- Consultant specializing in computer networks, imaging & security Listed as rjballard in "Friends & Favorites" at www.amazon.com Last book review: "Guerrilla Television" by Michael Shamberg |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
"Normal" Canon Zoom Lens that's worth a damn? | Karl Winkler | 35mm Photo Equipment | 31 | July 14th 04 11:52 PM |
General Lens ZOOM question.... | advid | Digital Photography | 11 | June 30th 04 10:07 PM |
Zoom Question | John Fryatt | Other Photographic Equipment | 0 | June 24th 04 10:15 PM |
FS: Canon "EF" Series 70-210mm AutoFocus Zoom Lens - $100.00 Shipped | Jason | Other Photographic Equipment | 0 | January 19th 04 08:33 AM |
Question on digital zoom. | Evan Platt | Other Photographic Equipment | 1 | December 8th 03 11:15 PM |