Camera Optics: Digital vs SLR (Optical Zoom)

[BScott881]

Digital zoom is measured in (x) enlargement and SLR in millimeters. Example: a digital camara might be 3x or 4x or in my case 10x zoom while a comparable SLR lens might be 80mm or 300mm. How do you make comparisons between the two?

 

[sharkeeper]

Don't use digital zoom. Optical will not distort the output. You can always zoom in digitally with Photoshop! OTOH, camcorders with 100x digital zoom come in handy for peeping!

-DAK-

 

[kami]

I think he means the optical zoom rating.

All I know is 3x zoom on a digicam is about equivalent to a 100mm lens on a 35mm camera.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Basically a 80 - 300 SLR zoom = 300/80 = 3.75 x Zoom