Digital zoom vs. Optical zoom

[shayrgob]

I'm sorry if this has come up before but what's the difference? thanks

[TPF Sponsor]

[LWW]

OPTICAL ZOOM = GOOD!

DIGITAL ZOOM = BAD!

The difference is that optical zoom gets you closer thru optical means which maintains the full resolution.

Digital zoom merely crops the photo in camera and enlarges it which lowers the resolution.

If you take digital zoom and crop/enlarge that you can end up with poor results quickly.

LWW

[Big Mike]

The only time I would consider using digital zoom, is if I was forced to print/send the photos directly from the camera. Otherwise, you are better off to use as much optical zoom as possible and crop the photo yourself on the computer.

Digital zoom simply enlarges the image from the centre of the larger image. You don't get any better resolution, the more you enlarge, the worse the image quality gets.

[shayrgob]

ok, I think I understand a little more now. So what does the digital zoom crop out? Does it focus in on the middle and crop out the outsides of the pic? thanks

[Big Mike]

As far as I know....that's basically it.

[thebeginning]

yup. digital zoom basically just enlarges the pixels.