I want to buy a camera with really good quality and very high zoom, I see a lot of point&shoot cameras that specify their zoom level, like some new models now indicate 20x zoom.
However, how would that compare to a dslr camera if I buy a telephoto lens or something,
how do I know if the dslr and lens have better than 20x zoom?
Best answer:
Answer by Veato
Most cameras now show the focal length in 35mm equivalents. If I take my old compact as an example then:-
It had a 10x zoom. The wide angle lens on this camera started at 25mm. That means simply the "zoom" was 25-250mm in equivalent terms as 25x10=250.
My DSLR lenses on the otherhand are:
18-55mm = 3x
50mm = 0x
70-300mm = 4.3x
Although the crop factor changes the values slightly in 35mm terms (18-55 becomes a 28-80 approx) the 3x "zoom" stays the same.
I think one of the biggest zooms on DSLR is the Tamron 15x 18-270mm
What do you think? Answer below!
Don't get too caught up in the "X" factor with lenses. First understand that when it comes to compact or "pocket toy" cameras as I like to call them, these things are loaded with gimmicks that are there for those who want "snaps" and don't care about serious photography.
ReplyDeletedslr cameras aren't like that - they are for serious photography and don't do many "gimmicks". That said the numbers Veato gave you are correct and most dslr lenses aren't at all like those gimmick lenses on the compacts. These lenses don't really equate in the "X" factor they just are what they
are. This is like comparing apples to oranges... it simply doesn't work that way.
It's unlikely that your point and shoot has a real optical 20x zoom but probably "zooms" electronically once you get past a certain magnification, this just throws away a large part of your image and is worthless. Shoot at the maximum optical zoom focal length and crop the image yourself if you need more "reach".
ReplyDeleteIt is more difficult to make a good really long ratio zoom for a dSLR mostly since the users of the product are much more picky in their application and you have to design for a much larger sensor array.