The purpose of this guide is to help digital camera users of all skill levels better understand what digital zoom is, and how to use it most effectively in a digital camera.  One of the more common misunderstood features of a digital camera is how and when to use digital zoom.  In-fact, I often read or hear so-called digital camera ‘experts’ advise digital camera buyers to avoid digital zoom cameras completely. This is not good advise. After reading this guide, you will have a better understanding of what digital zoom is, and will learn some methods you can use to take better close up pictures by using the digital zoom function in your camera more effectively. This guide has been updated by Linda's Camera World (lindas_camera_world on ebay), as of  Fall 2007.

First let me explain the (2) two types of zoom commonly found in today’s digital cameras, Digital Zoom and Optical Zoom. Basic entry level and Mid-Level digital cameras usually only have a digital zoom function.  Advanced Point-and-Shoot digital cameras commonly use a combination of optical and digital zoom.  The difference between optical and digital zoom is in the way the camera gets the subject into closer view.  With optical zoom, the lens itself brings the image into closer view.  This requires a more sophisticated and expensive lens, and is the main reason cameras that include optical zoom sell for a higher price.  With digital zoom, the camera uses a computerized process that takes the image and ‘digitally’ enhances it, bringing the subject closer electronically without using the lens.  Both methods are effective, but unless you understand the difference and how and when to use them you may not be getting the clearest possible photos your digital camera may be capable of taking.

How Can I Take Better Close-Up Pictures Using Only Digital Zoom?
With a camera that only uses digital zoom, the most effective method I have found is to save the digital zoom for after you have taken your digital picture.  Digital cameras allow you to zoom in on completed pictures, and retake them after you have taken your photo (See Below, How Do I Make a New Image or Photo Out of a Digital Image?).  This allows the lens to take the sharpest image possible since there are no computerized enhancements being made to it.  With 3.0 mega pixel sensors, and five times (5X) digital zoom common in most digital cameras sold today, you should have more than enough lines of resolution and digital zoom power to allow you to zoom into a much closer and sharper view of your completed photo.  In the below example, the subject is approximately 25 feet from the camera. Image #1 shows the subject without any zoom enhancement,  Image #2 was created from Image #1 after taking the picture, and enhanced digitally by eight times (8X) digital zoom.

How Can I Take Better Close-Up Pictures Using a Combination of Optical and Digital Zoom?
If you have an advanced point-and-shoot digital camera, the method is almost the same as explained above, but you want to use your optical zoom to bring your subject into the closest possible view, making sure to STOP zooming before the digital zoom begins.  Most advanced point-and-shoot models will automatically stop when you have used up your entire available optical zoom, requiring you to press the zoom button a second time to begin using the digital zoom.  An indicator bar on the screen will also usually indicate when the optical zoom is completely used up, and digital zoom has begun.  Unless you have the camera held steady on a table or tripod, I would not recommend taking a picture after your optical zoom lens is fully extended or used up.  The chances of distorting your picture increase significantly when taking a picture while using digital zoom.  It is better to snap your picture with the desired optical zoom, and use the digital zoom function later on to bring the subject into closer view.  In the below example, Image #1 is taken without any zoom, Image #2 is taken with 3 times (3X) optical zoom, and Image #3 was created from Image #2 after taking the picture, and enhanced digitally by eight times (8X) digital zoom.


How Do I Make a New Image or Photo Out of a Digital Image?
One of the advantages of owning a digital camera is the ability to take a photo and zoom it in digitally after the picture is already taken.  A common feature on today’s digital cameras allow you to zoom in on a completed photo, and ‘cut’ that image into a new photo.  Most cameras will even let you move the center of the picture to the left, right, up or down by using the control pad on your camera, allowing you to zoom in on any part of the photo.  This feature is especially useful for reframing subjects and for centering subjects better when zooming in on a completed photo.  You should refer to the owners manual of your camera to find out how to 're-take' or 'cut’ a completed image.  If you don’t have the owners manual or if that information is not provided, use trial and error by taking a sample image in your camera and press some of the buttons on your camera like the menu or ok button (common of most cameras), and follow along the instructions on the screen for cutting or retaking your image into a new photo.  You original photo will remain in the camera so you need not worry about harming or losing your original image.  In the below example, the subjects in Image #1 were photographed without any zoom, and were pictured to the right of the center of the original photo. Image #2 was created from Image #1, where the subjects are centered in the photo and enhanced by 4 times (4X) digital zoom.


Learning to use a digital camera and its extra features can be challenging. Learn to experiment with your camera by using your digital zoom feature and you may gain more enjoyment out of your digital camera by taking clearer, sharper, close-up photos.

Linda's Camera World
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