Discount Digital Camcorders - What is Optical Zoom
The digital zoom enlarges images by magnifying the actual pixels. The finished image is thus affected and lacks clear definition. Pixilation is the term that defines this process of blurring. This option can be turned off on most models of camcorders and should be for optimal image quality.
Digital zoom merely captures pixels and magnifies those and produces inferior photos, always go with Optical Zoom.
What is Optical Zoom
To understand what is Optical Zoom, it''s important to understand that this feature, unlike Digital Zoom, utilizes the movement of the lens. The focal length is changed and image that passes through the lens is captured with optical zoom.
Higher optical zoom ratings give better image quality.
Optical zoom ratings vary from 3PX to 20PX and the higher ratings give the best image quality. Optical zoom gives you all the benefits of the camera''s and camcorder''s maximum resolution, combined 
with the ability to focus in tight on faraway action.
Often times an optical zoom is more important than resolution because it means you won''t have to magnify your subject and then use software to crop the image and discard some of the resolution as a result.
Optical zoom works much like the zoom lens on a 35 mm film camera. It changes the length of your camera’s lens and draws the subject closer to you.
What is Optical zoom? It is a technology that keeps the quality of the picture. Digital zoom works differently. It simply takes the picture and crops it then enlarges the part that is left. It causes the quality of the photo to be reduced, sometimes greatly.
What this means in terms of output is you may have a larger view of an object with the digital zoom, but chances are your image will become unfocused. Details will become lost. It is actually best to turn off the digital zoom feature of your camera if possible. This will prevent you automatically zooming in too close as the digital zoom is often an extension of the optical.
Digital zoom has its place. It can be used if the only destiny of your photo is the internet. Photos online can be a much lower quality in the camera and still appear acceptable when sent through e-mail or posted on a web gallery.
If your goal is printing, however, seek a camera that has a greater optical zoom and turn off the digital zoom. Your pictures will be better in the end, even if they are not as close up.
Shopping Tip: Ignore digital zoom ratings within Optical Zoom. Some vendors tout a high total zoom that includes digital zoom, and it is not the true Optical Zoom rating.
So now that you know what is Optical Zoom, you can make a much better decision on the digital camera and/or discount digital camcorder you want to buy.
Ready to Shop:
Discount Digital Camcorders
Cheap Digital Cameras
Digital Camcorder Accessories
Digital Camera Accessories
DVD Burning and Photo Editing Software
DVD Copying Software
Read Guides on Digital Camcorders and Digital Cameras:
Digital Photography Techniques
Discount Digital Camcorders - Guide to Buying a Camcorder
Discount Digital Camcorders - Tutorial on How Camcorders Work
Discount Digital Camcorders - Types of Camcorders
Discount Digital Camcorders - Digital Camera Buying Guide
Advantages of Digital Camcorders