optical zoom...

[k37]

i have notice that there are 2 kinds of optical zoom in the market now. one is those type of optical zoom that can extend out, and another types is the non-extendable optical zoom. so is the quality of pic taken the same when shooting far object? any difference?

 

[solarii]

I take it you're referrring to those ultra compacts like the Sony T-7 which zoom internally and not the SLR lenses.

Technically there's no difference. However cameras that zoom internally tend to use tiny 1/2.5 sensors which cause image quality to suffer, so its not quite fair to compare them to the those whose lenses extend during zooming, as these tend to use the larger 1/1.8 sensors.

Also there are other factors to consider that will affect final image quality...whether or not it zooms internally is mainly an aesthetic consideration.

 

[Goldenstars08]

No difference...:nono:

 

[michhy]

No difference...:nono:

No Difference.

 

[sammy888]

What the heck are you guys going about.with this........

Okay...the IS A DIFFERENCE WITH OPTICAL and DIGITAL ZOOM.

With Optical zoom ( that is preferred) it is no diference with SLR's zoom lense. As the name implys..it uses optical elements to zoom near or far within a given lens. 38mm-70mm, 70-300mm..etc. As it is done optically it is far superior to digital zoming.

Digital zoom is what most P&S camera will incorporate into their camera to give you MORE zooming power without putting in more bulky glass elements and mechanism that moves physical lens parts around in especially those really compact cameras. How digital zoom works is it takes the image it capture from the sensor and it will elecronically enlarge that image by zooming towards the middle of the image SIMULATING a zooming effect. The problem with this is the quality really sux as pixels are enlarged. Giving you a bit more jaggy to lines and form and appears pixelated. It is like looking at a badly and highly compressed JPEG picture if you get what I mean. Usually, P&S will offer you some form of optical zoom along with digital to give you just a bit more to make it look like theirs is better and offer you more zooming power...which it does but abeit lower quality picture when you capture the image at the digital zoom range. Whether the sensor is larger or smaller..that is not the issue at this stage. The fact of the matter is there is a BIG DIFFERENCE in Optical and Digital Zoom.

 

[ortega]

they are talking about 2 types of optical zoom
1) moving lens external
2) internal movement

NOT digital zoom

 

[michhy]

What the heck are you guys going about.with this........
Okay...the IS A DIFFERENCE WITH OPTICAL and DIGITAL ZOOM.

We were all talking about OPTICAL zoom, not digital zoom.
There are new ultra compacts now that uses in-body optical zoom lenses,
instead of protuding ones.

NOTE: we all know digital zoom is crap :sweat:

 

[justarius]

Optically no difference, but personally, some people don't like the idea of a huge extension to the front of their already huge zoom lenses, cos it makes the camera feels unbalanced. Most of the higher end zoom lenses don't extend...

 

[sammy888]

We were all talking about OPTICAL zoom, not digital zoom.
There are new ultra compacts now that uses in-body optical zoom lenses,
instead of protuding ones.

NOTE: we all know digital zoom is crap :sweat:

ah...got it...I stand corrected. Damn need to get my eyes check.

But as things get more compact, there will still be a difference in quality if not in the zoom range. You can only do so much mechanically within that small confine space. If that has not been reached yet..it soon will.