10x Zoom picture quality Question

Using a Z1 3.2mp i find that even on the finest quality setting anything
taken from 3x up turns out to be terrible quality with stacks of noise.
The 10x setting i find a waste of time as all the images are far to
distorted.

For instance taking shots of my cat on the fence on max zoom is a waste of
time.

I cant afford another camera so am stuck with the Z1 for now.

Is there a way to improve the images using a photo editor?
If so which one would you suggest?

Be gentle with me im new to all this!

Annie

"LitePix" diamond.star (at) ntlworld.com wrote in message
...
Using a Z1 3.2mp i find that even on the finest quality setting anything
taken from 3x up turns out to be terrible quality with stacks of noise.
The 10x setting i find a waste of time as all the images are far to
distorted.

They shouldn't be - seeing as its an optical zoom camera

For instance taking shots of my cat on the fence on max zoom is a waste of
time.

Any chance of a sample photo?

I cant afford another camera so am stuck with the Z1 for now.

Is there a way to improve the images using a photo editor?
If so which one would you suggest?

Be gentle with me im new to all this!

Annie

"LitePix" diamond.star (at) ntlworld.com wrote in message
...
Using a Z1 3.2mp i find that even on the finest quality setting anything
taken from 3x up turns out to be terrible quality with stacks of noise.
The 10x setting i find a waste of time as all the images are far to
distorted.

They shouldn't be - seeing as its an optical zoom camera

For instance taking shots of my cat on the fence on max zoom is a waste of
time.

Any chance of a sample photo?

I cant afford another camera so am stuck with the Z1 for now.

Is there a way to improve the images using a photo editor?
If so which one would you suggest?

Be gentle with me im new to all this!

Annie

Move closer to the cat.

A basic law of optics is that you can't magnify detail that isn't there.

I don't know what camera you're referring to, but I presume it's digital
zoom. That means merely that the camera is taking the central part of the
image and duplicating the pixels. You could probably do a better job by
turning off the digital zoom (using only optical zoom) and enlarging the
central part of the picture with Photoshop Elements.

But the crucial thing is that digital zoom does *not* cause the camera lens
to record additional detail. It takes what's there and spreads it out over
more space.



"LitePix" diamond.star (at) ntlworld.com wrote in message
...
Using a Z1 3.2mp i find that even on the finest quality setting anything
taken from 3x up turns out to be terrible quality with stacks of noise.
The 10x setting i find a waste of time as all the images are far to
distorted.

For instance taking shots of my cat on the fence on max zoom is a waste of
time.

I cant afford another camera so am stuck with the Z1 for now.

Is there a way to improve the images using a photo editor?
If so which one would you suggest?

Be gentle with me im new to all this!

Annie

Move closer to the cat.

A basic law of optics is that you can't magnify detail that isn't there.

I don't know what camera you're referring to, but I presume it's digital
zoom. That means merely that the camera is taking the central part of the
image and duplicating the pixels. You could probably do a better job by
turning off the digital zoom (using only optical zoom) and enlarging the
central part of the picture with Photoshop Elements.

But the crucial thing is that digital zoom does *not* cause the camera lens
to record additional detail. It takes what's there and spreads it out over
more space.



"LitePix" diamond.star (at) ntlworld.com wrote in message
...
Using a Z1 3.2mp i find that even on the finest quality setting anything
taken from 3x up turns out to be terrible quality with stacks of noise.
The 10x setting i find a waste of time as all the images are far to
distorted.

For instance taking shots of my cat on the fence on max zoom is a waste of
time.

I cant afford another camera so am stuck with the Z1 for now.

Is there a way to improve the images using a photo editor?
If so which one would you suggest?

Be gentle with me im new to all this!

Annie

In article , diamond.staratntlworld.com
says...

Using a Z1 3.2mp i find that even on the finest quality setting anything
taken from 3x up turns out to be terrible quality with stacks of noise.
The 10x setting i find a waste of time as all the images are far to
distorted.

For instance taking shots of my cat on the fence on max zoom is a waste of
time.

I cant afford another camera so am stuck with the Z1 for now.

Is there a way to improve the images using a photo editor?
If so which one would you suggest?

Be gentle with me im new to all this!

Annie

Annie,

If, as Harvey states in , you have a 10x optical zoom, then there should
not be, but the slightest degredation, and nosie should not be a real issue.
Now, as you zoom to longer focal length, many zooms do not allow for the same
max aperture, as a WA, but unless your camera automatically bumps the ISO to
accommodate that, noise should be the same. If noise IS the issue, you might
want to look at NeatImage (probably www.neatimage.com), as a fix. It is either
a stand-alone, or combo with plug-in capability for PS, and other PS plug-in
editors. Now, if what you get is camera movement, with the tele end of your
zoom, a tripod, or beanbag and practice might benefit you.

Hunt

In article , diamond.staratntlworld.com
says...

Using a Z1 3.2mp i find that even on the finest quality setting anything
taken from 3x up turns out to be terrible quality with stacks of noise.
The 10x setting i find a waste of time as all the images are far to
distorted.

For instance taking shots of my cat on the fence on max zoom is a waste of
time.

I cant afford another camera so am stuck with the Z1 for now.

Is there a way to improve the images using a photo editor?
If so which one would you suggest?

Be gentle with me im new to all this!

Annie

Annie,

If, as Harvey states in , you have a 10x optical zoom, then there should
not be, but the slightest degredation, and nosie should not be a real issue.
Now, as you zoom to longer focal length, many zooms do not allow for the same
max aperture, as a WA, but unless your camera automatically bumps the ISO to
accommodate that, noise should be the same. If noise IS the issue, you might
want to look at NeatImage (probably www.neatimage.com), as a fix. It is either
a stand-alone, or combo with plug-in capability for PS, and other PS plug-in
editors. Now, if what you get is camera movement, with the tele end of your
zoom, a tripod, or beanbag and practice might benefit you.

Hunt

LitePix wrote:

Using a Z1 3.2mp i find that even on the finest quality setting anything
taken from 3x up turns out to be terrible quality with stacks of noise.
The 10x setting i find a waste of time as all the images are far to
distorted.

For instance taking shots of my cat on the fence on max zoom is a waste of
time.

I cant afford another camera so am stuck with the Z1 for now.

Is there a way to improve the images using a photo editor?
If so which one would you suggest?

Be gentle with me im new to all this!

Annie



Is it really noise? Do the photos look grainy or just a bit blurry?

--
Ben Thomas
Opinions, conclusions, and other information in this message that do not
relate to the official business of my firm shall be understood as neither
given nor endorsed by it.

LitePix wrote:

Using a Z1 3.2mp i find that even on the finest quality setting anything
taken from 3x up turns out to be terrible quality with stacks of noise.
The 10x setting i find a waste of time as all the images are far to
distorted.

For instance taking shots of my cat on the fence on max zoom is a waste of
time.

I cant afford another camera so am stuck with the Z1 for now.

Is there a way to improve the images using a photo editor?
If so which one would you suggest?

Be gentle with me im new to all this!

Annie



Is it really noise? Do the photos look grainy or just a bit blurry?

--
Ben Thomas
Opinions, conclusions, and other information in this message that do not
relate to the official business of my firm shall be understood as neither
given nor endorsed by it.

"LitePix" diamond.star (at) ntlworld.com wrote:

Using a Z1 3.2mp i find that even on the finest quality setting anything
taken from 3x up turns out to be terrible quality with stacks of noise.
The 10x setting i find a waste of time as all the images are far to
distorted.

For instance taking shots of my cat on the fence on max zoom is a waste of
time.

I cant afford another camera so am stuck with the Z1 for now.

Is there a way to improve the images using a photo editor?
If so which one would you suggest?

Be gentle with me im new to all this!

Try a tripod. A sturdy tripod. The Slik 300DX, 500DX, and 700DX aren't too
expensive and are quite sturdy (but heavy). Anything less sturdy than the
300DX is probably a waste of money and time.

Use the _lowest_ ISO with aperture at f/5.6. You should get quite decent
images.

David J. Littleboy
Tokyo, Japan