Camera Zoom - Advice

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Can someone explain in simple idiot speak what means (or what it translates to) when you get an optical zoom of for example 15-45mm (I know it’s what range it does) but what does it translate to numbers of like 12x optical zoom (I understand the 12x one but not the range when it’s in mm). I.e. can you tell me what the range in simple format please? Or is there a site you can recommend that would tell me/have all the conversions on.

I’ve seen a few cameras I like, mine has a 10x optical zoom at the minute (hence I can relate to that) but I’ve looked at some which have a 26 x optical zoom and some which have a up to 55mm zoom, which is the better zoom?

 

[raptorrex]

Can someone explain in simple idiot speak what means (or what it translates to) when you get an optical zoom of for example 15-45mm (I know it's what range it does) but what does it translate to numbers of like 12x optical zoom (I understand the 12x one but not the range when it's in mm). I.e. can you tell me what the range in simple format please? Or is there a site you can recommend that would tell me/have all the conversions on.

I've seen a few cameras I like, mine has a 10x optical zoom at the minute (hence I can relate to that) but I've looked at some which have a 26 x optical zoom and some which have a up to 55mm zoom, which is the better zoom?

you should simply multiply the minimum focal length by the zoom ratio, and you should have the maximum focal length, your lens states. so a 10x zoom lens that has a 28mm minimum setting, would have a maximum setting of 280mm. what this means, really depends on the format of image sensor used. 28mm, for instance, on a 35mm camera would be a wide angle lens. but on a digi compact, that would be close to a standard lens ( standard means the lens has the, rough, field of view your eyes would see)
it means the lens will magnify the image x12 so your subject is 12x bigger at the long end of the lens, than it is at its shortest.

long zooms seem a brilliant idea. however, the longer the focal length, the less light the lens can gather. so its a bit of a compromise. more so on compact/bridge cameras. as they tend to have size and cost restraints.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Thank you, I'm still a little confused. But I'll look at some cameras and see if/what I can work out from what you've said so far

 

[raptorrex]

Thank you, I'm still a little confused. But I'll look at some cameras and see if/what I can work out from what you've said so far

what is it that, most, confuses you? so i can "narrow down" my explanation. I used to teach (commercial) this stuff. so should be able to help.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

There is nothing in particular that confuses me, it's just all new to me so it's confusing.

I've always had a lovely compact camera so I've never had to know the "technical speak" behind it. I will do some research as I say and ask again with more questions (there will definately be more questions )

 

[raptorrex]

There is nothing in particular that confuses me, it's just all new to me so it's confusing.

I've always had a lovely compact camera so I've never had to know the "technical speak" behind it. I will do some research as I say and ask again with more questions (there will definately be more questions )

I can deffo help with the "technical speak". all that babble does some, basically, simple things. though cameras are digital now. the way a photograph is taken has not changed since the inception of the art.