[ GLOSSARY DEFINITION ] Camera

Camera Zoom

How much a camera magnifies a scene; optical zoom keeps detail, digital zoom crops it.

Also known as: Optical Zoom

Full Definition & Technical Explanation

Zoom extends reach. Optical zoom uses lens hardware (2x, 3x, 5x, 10x periscope) and keeps real detail; Digital zoom crops the image and loses quality. Phones list Zoom: Digital when only digital is available.

See telephoto and periscope for optical implementations.

Where Camera Zoom Matters

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Camera Zoom?

How much a camera magnifies a scene; optical zoom keeps detail, digital zoom crops it.

What terms are related to Camera Zoom?

Related Camera terms include Telephoto Lens, Periscope Lens, Digital Zoom.

Related Technical Terms

Telephoto Lens
A long-focal-length lens for close-up zoom shots without digital cropping. Camera
Periscope Lens
A folded telephoto module that fits long-focal-length optics in a thin phone. Camera
Digital Zoom
Software cropping that magnifies an image but reduces resolution and detail. Camera
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