Camera basics - zoom

Zoom lenses are relatively new to the consumer market. Most all point-and-shoots offer some zoom ability, and most everyone with SLR's have at least one zoom lens. Here are a few things to remember about zooms.

The more zoomed in, the more the image will blur from hand movement. So when you're using a big zoom, you may have to stabilize the camera. If you watch sports photographers, they often have a stand to hold up their zoom lenses.

When zoomed in, there's less light entering the camera, and you'll need to expose more. This often translates to shooting with a slower shutter speed or a wider aperture.

It's worthwhile to mention that there is a huge difference between digital zoom and optical zoom. On some digital cameras, they offer you the option of a digital zoom and/or an optical zoom. The optical zoom is just like a film camera's zoom. The digital zoom is a software technique to enlarge the image. You should never use digital zoom, because it magnifies but does not resolve!

If you have no idea what I just said, think of it this way. Digital zoom is the same as taking a picture, loading it onto your computer, then enlarging the image. There's no added detail. It's the same picture, just blown up. The optical zoom will be a different picture with greater detail.