newbie question re Digital/optical zoom

On Fri, 13 Feb 2004 16:33:05 GMT, "Vic Baron" <vgbaron.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote:

 >I know the mechanical difference between a digital and optical zoom but is
 >there a difference in quality? Would one be preferred in certain situations?
 >
 >
 >thanx,
 >
 >Vic

I am not expert, but have heard the optical is superior. I would also welcome
some info on this.

Vinnie S.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: newbie question re Digital/optical zoom 

OK, now that makes sense!

Thanx,

Vic



 >
 > Digital zoom amounts to cropping the picture, which means lower
resolution.
 > Unless you need to conserve memory space in the camera, it is better to do
 > the cropping on your computer, where you have better control of what is
cut
 > from the image.
 >
 >


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 >> Stay informed about: newbie question re Digital/optical zoom 

"Marvin Margoshes" <physnospamchem.DeleteThis@cloud9.net> wrote in message
news:102q03nsh4sp5cc@corp.supernews.com...
 >
 > "Vic Baron" <vgbaron.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
 > news:5%6Xb.23304$KN6.10827@newssvr27.news.prodigy.com...
  > > I know the mechanical difference between a digital and optical zoom but
is
  > > there a difference in quality? Would one be preferred in certain
 > situations?
  > >
  > >
  > > thanx,
  > >
  > > Vic
  > >
  > >
  > > --
  > > There are 10 kinds of people - those who understand binary and those who
  > > don't
 >
 > Digital zoom amounts to cropping the picture, which means lower
resolution.
 > Unless you need to conserve memory space in the camera, it is better to do
 > the cropping on your computer, where you have better control of what is
cut
 > from the image.
 >
 >

As far as I'm aware it doesn't actually decrease the resolution or decrease
the file size, you still have the same number of pixels in the shot as if
you hadn't used digital zoom. What happens is that it extrapolates extra
pixels so that the resolution is the same, but, the quality has decreased.
Optical zoom is far better as no pixels are invented

Rob<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: newbie question re Digital/optical zoom 

Zoom to me is more important than MP's
Digital zoom should only be used when there is no other way to get the
shot.
I results in a grainy out of focus unprintable image.

I would not buy an outdoor camera with less than 6 OPTICAL zoom.

3 optical is ok for indoors.



http://community-2.webtv.net/GEOH/FKEYS/
http://community.webtv.net/Geo_H/RecentPictures
 >> Stay informed about: newbie question re Digital/optical zoom 

Depends on the camera. The Kyocera I had re-interpolated pixels to make the
5mp picture again. What a waste!
My Pentax crops internally and only displays larger.

Digital zoom is only sales hype and just a crock of crap.

"Canopus" <BNRAGMAOKKXT.DeleteThis@spammotel.com> wrote in message
news:c0k7bk$18a0o5$1@ID-192201.news.uni-berlin.de...
 >
 > "Marvin Margoshes" <physnospamchem.DeleteThis@cloud9.net> wrote in message
 > news:102q03nsh4sp5cc@corp.supernews.com...
  > >
  > > "Vic Baron" <vgbaron.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
  > > news:5%6Xb.23304$KN6.10827@newssvr27.news.prodigy.com...
   > > > I know the mechanical difference between a digital and optical zoom
but
 > is
   > > > there a difference in quality? Would one be preferred in certain
  > > situations?
   > > >
   > > >
   > > > thanx,
   > > >
   > > > Vic
   > > >
   > > >
   > > > --
   > > > There are 10 kinds of people - those who understand binary and those
who
   > > > don't
  > >
  > > Digital zoom amounts to cropping the picture, which means lower
 > resolution.
  > > Unless you need to conserve memory space in the camera, it is better to
do
  > > the cropping on your computer, where you have better control of what is
 > cut
  > > from the image.
  > >
  > >
 >
 > As far as I'm aware it doesn't actually decrease the resolution or
decrease
 > the file size, you still have the same number of pixels in the shot as if
 > you hadn't used digital zoom. What happens is that it extrapolates extra
 > pixels so that the resolution is the same, but, the quality has decreased.
 > Optical zoom is far better as no pixels are invented
 >
 > Rob
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: newbie question re Digital/optical zoom 

"Vic Baron" <vgbaron DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:5%6Xb.23304$KN6.10827@newssvr27.news.prodigy.com...
 > I know the mechanical difference between a digital and optical zoom but is
 > there a difference in quality? Would one be preferred in certain
situations?
 >
 >
 > thanx,
 >

My standard response. Optical zoom magnifies the image and detail. For
digital, imagine an elastic band. Draw a circle on it. Now stretch the
elastic. Yes, the circle is bigger, but NO MORE DETAIL, indeed, could be
less. You can do this via software. Ony optical zoom gives more true detail
and telephoto return.

Eddie<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: newbie question re Digital/optical zoom 

On Sat, 14 Feb 2004 04:04:36 -0000, "Canopus"
<BNRAGMAOKKXT DeleteThis @spammotel.com> vaguely proposed a theory
.......and in reply I say!:

Certainly looks that way. The images are the same size in pixels. I
was surprised at how good a 4X digital zoomed shot can look, and
that's what I discovered. Makes sense.

So the equivalent is not to simply crop in processing SW, but to crop
then resize to overcome the loss of pixel count.

It still seems better to me to do it under controlled condistions
later. It would be interesting to compare a digital zoom with a
processed shot though....

 >
 >"Marvin Margoshes" <physnospamchem DeleteThis @cloud9.net> wrote in message
 >news:102q03nsh4sp5cc@corp.supernews.com...
  >>
  >> "Vic Baron" <vgbaron DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
  >> news:5%6Xb.23304$KN6.10827@newssvr27.news.prodigy.com...
   >> > I know the mechanical difference between a digital and optical zoom but
 >is
   >> > there a difference in quality? Would one be preferred in certain
  >> situations?
   >> >
   >> >
   >> > thanx,
   >> >
   >> > Vic
   >> >
   >> >
   >> > --
   >> > There are 10 kinds of people - those who understand binary and those who
   >> > don't
  >>
  >> Digital zoom amounts to cropping the picture, which means lower
 >resolution.
  >> Unless you need to conserve memory space in the camera, it is better to do
  >> the cropping on your computer, where you have better control of what is
 >cut
  >> from the image.
  >>
  >>
 >
 >As far as I'm aware it doesn't actually decrease the resolution or decrease
 >the file size, you still have the same number of pixels in the shot as if
 >you hadn't used digital zoom. What happens is that it extrapolates extra
 >pixels so that the resolution is the same, but, the quality has decreased.
 >Optical zoom is far better as no pixels are invented
 >
 >Rob
 >

**************************************************** sorry

..........no I'm not!
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Spike....Spike? Hello?<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: newbie question re Digital/optical zoom 

On Mon, 16 Feb 2004 22:34:44 -0500, "Gymmy Bob" <NoThanx.RemoveThis@spam.com>
vaguely proposed a theory
.......and in reply I say!:

I don't see why you think it's a waste to resize (interpolate) the
result.

 >Depends on the camera. The Kyocera I had re-interpolated pixels to make the
 >5mp picture again. What a waste!
 >My Pentax crops internally and only displays larger.

**************************************************** sorry

..........no I'm not!
remove ns from my header address to reply via email

Spike....Spike? Hello?<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: newbie question re Digital/optical zoom 

Eddie -

Your standard response was direct and to the point. I understand.

Thanx,

Vic


"Eddie" <woofdog.RemoveThis@kennel.com.au> wrote in message
news:40316beb$0$22508$5a62ac22@freenews.iinet.net.au...
 >
 > "Vic Baron" <vgbaron.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
 > news:5%6Xb.23304$KN6.10827@newssvr27.news.prodigy.com...
  > > I know the mechanical difference between a digital and optical zoom but
is
  > > there a difference in quality? Would one be preferred in certain
 > situations?
  > >
  > >
  > > thanx,
  > >
 >
 > My standard response. Optical zoom magnifies the image and detail. For
 > digital, imagine an elastic band. Draw a circle on it. Now stretch the
 > elastic. Yes, the circle is bigger, but NO MORE DETAIL, indeed, could be
 > less. You can do this via software. Ony optical zoom gives more true
detail
 > and telephoto return.
 >
 > Eddie
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: newbie question re Digital/optical zoom 

"Vic Baron" <vgbaron.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:5krYb.24909$%W1.9819@newssvr27.news.prodigy.com...
 > Eddie -
 >
 > Your standard response was direct and to the point. I understand.
 >
 > Thanx,
 >
 > Vic

Thanks Vic,

Eddie<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: newbie question re Digital/optical zoom 

On Tue, 17 Feb 2004 16:29:53 GMT, "Vic Baron" <vgbaron.DeleteThis@hotmail.com>
vaguely proposed a theory
.......and in reply I say!:

Sorry, but as Canopus said, it's often not quite that simple. There is
no more detail. BUt sometimes the camera will "guesstimate" and add
more rubber bands of the original size, to fill the stretched space,
and not just stretch the original. For some stuff it can work. It
always gets rid of pixelation.

 >Your standard response was direct and to the point. I understand.
 >
 >Thanx,
 >
 >Vic
 >
 >
 >"Eddie" <woofdog.DeleteThis@kennel.com.au> wrote in message

  >> My standard response. Optical zoom magnifies the image and detail. For
  >> digital, imagine an elastic band. Draw a circle on it. Now stretch the
  >> elastic. Yes, the circle is bigger, but NO MORE DETAIL, indeed, could be
  >> less. You can do this via software. Ony optical zoom gives more true
 >detail
  >> and telephoto return.
  >>
  >> Eddie
  >>
  >>
 >

**************************************************** sorry

..........no I'm not!
remove ns from my header address to reply via email

Spike....Spike? Hello?<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: newbie question re Digital/optical zoom 

"Old Nick" <nsnfwhite.RemoveThis@iinet.net.au> wrote in message
news:fuc5305h4cjid47tor1nqs70s25rs88jjs@4ax.com...
 > On Tue, 17 Feb 2004 16:29:53 GMT, "Vic Baron" <vgbaron.RemoveThis@hotmail.com>
 > vaguely proposed a theory
 > ......and in reply I say!:
 >
 > Sorry, but as Canopus said, it's often not quite that simple. There is
 > no more detail. BUt sometimes the camera will "guesstimate" and add
 > more rubber bands of the original size, to fill the stretched space,
 > and not just stretch the original. For some stuff it can work. It
 > always gets rid of pixelation.
 >

But Nick, I can do the same with software. But in any event, the original
question was asking if there was situations where a choice over one or the
other which should one use. The answer is clearly there is no situation
where that choice exists. But, one may ADD digital zoom to optical.

With my Canon G5, it does exactly as you say, but, exactly as I say, no more
detail!

Eddie<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: newbie question re Digital/optical zoom 

Gymmy Bob wrote:

 > Depends on the camera. The Kyocera I had re-interpolated pixels to
 > make the 5mp picture again. What a waste!
 > My Pentax crops internally and only displays larger.
 >
 > Digital zoom is only sales hype and just a crock of crap.
 >

Well, it has its place. I was in a situation where a lady who owned a
hotel I was staying at asked me if I could take a picture of her other
hotel she was building if I flew over it in a balloon the next day. To
identify it nestled among other old buildings on a far hillside I used
maximum zoom on my Fuji S602Z, which is 6x. The first 3x are optical
zoom, after 3x to 6x it's digital zoom. I then zoomed into the picture
I took and could have the building easily pointed out.

In other words, digital zoom, a great shared telescope, but, hopeless
detail.

Rob<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: newbie question re Digital/optical zoom