What Is the Difference Between Digital and Optical Zoom?
An optical zoom lens adjusts so you can control the angle of view and how the image is cropped. Digital zooms are not zoom lenses. Rather, they magnify (enlarge) the center of the camera’s sensor frame for a larger image. In doing so, grain (actually called “noise” in a digital camera) is increased. Low-end digital cameras come with either a fixed lens or an optical zoom lens with a limited range, usually around 2X. Those cameras are fine for around-the-house and similar snapshots. For sports and travel photography, you’ll probably want a digital camera with at least a 4X optical zoom range. Many digital cameras also offer a digital zoom in addition to an optical zoom lens.
