Optical Zoom

Optical zoom refers to the capability of a camera or lens system to magnify an image by adjusting the physical distance between the lens elements, allowing for closer views of subjects without losing image quality. This is achieved through the movement of glass elements within the lens, manipulating the focal length to bring the subject closer. Unlike digital zoom, which enlarges a portion of the image and can result in decreased resolution, optical zoom maintains the original image quality at various focal lengths. Optical zoom is commonly used in cameras, binoculars, and various imaging devices, and is typically expressed as a ratio (e.g., 3x, 10x), indicating the range of magnification relative to the widest angle of the lens. It is a crucial feature for photographers and videographers who require flexibility in composing shots without resorting to cropping or enlarging the image artificially.