Use Optical rather than Digital Zoom
Some Digital Cameras are marketed with both an Optical Zoom and Digital
Zoom capability. If you’ve used a film camera, you’ll be used to
optical zoom. Optical zoom uses the lens of the camera (the optics) to
bring the subject closer. Digital zoom uses clever software to
digitally enlarge a portion of the image - thus simulating optical zoom.
Some Digital Cameras are marketed with both an Optical Zoom and
Digital Zoom capability. If you’ve used a film camera, you’ll be used
to optical zoom. Optical zoom uses the lens of the camera (the optics)
to bring the subject closer. Digital zoom uses clever software to
digitally enlarge a portion of the image - thus simulating optical zoom.
 So, which is better?
Definitely Optical zoom. Here’s why.
Digital zoom is not really ‘zoom’ in the strictest definition of the
term. Digital zoom just enlarges the image. Eg it takes a portion of
the image and enlarges it back to full size. You lose quality because
of the enlargement process so photos that have been taken with digital
zoom won’t look as good as those without.
You can perform the same result using image editing software on your
computer. In fact, it can be better to crop and enlarge using your
image software as you can decide exactly what part of the image to
enlarge, and how much to enlarge by.
So when taking shots, use optical zoom only. If you
need to zoom in further, use your editing software to select the best
part of the image to keep. Ensure your camera warns you when it’s
switching to digital zoom from optical zoom, or use your settings to
disable digital zoom entirely.
Why is clarity important? The more clarity you have in your image, the larger the printed size can be without the image appearing fuzzy, or blocky. If you want to keep clarity in your images, use the optical zoom whenever possible, and avoid the digital zoom.
How do you use Optical Zoom? When you zoom in using
your camera, it will use Optical zoom first and then use Digital zoom.
You can usually set your camera to notify you when it starts to use the
Digital zoom, or tell it to not use digital zoom at all. Consult your
manual for details.
Can’t find a Digital Zoom option on your camera? You’ll likely have
a better quality DSLR camera that doesn’t need the digital zoom
trickery. So your camera is always using the best type of zoom -
Optical Zoom.
Want to jump start your photographic
genius? Get all the secrets in my course immediately, plus over 100
more techniques, tips and secrets and more than 125 full color images
in my "Digital Photo Secrets" book.
Next Time : A little known secret, used all the time by professionals, that results in a pleasing, nicely balanced photo.
Tags: photography tips basic photography tips |
