Point and Shoot Cameras

 Optical zoom versus Digital zoom:

Most point and shoot cameras have the ability to use one or both of these types of zoom. However, when you are zooming in on your subject, the optical zoom only magnifies the picture (usually anywhere from 3 to 6 times). If you wish to zoom in further, then you have to use the “digital” zoom.

If you do this, the computer in your camera just looks at a smaller area of the picture and electronically adds more detail. This leads to less detail in the photograph called noise (fuzzy looking). It is therefore advisable to shut the digital zoom off and use only the optical zoom.

You can crop your photo later (using your computer software) and have better detail in the picture.

General Information

CMOS & CCD Sensitivity

Sensitivity to light in both of these types of sensors refers to the ISO settings. When deciding on what setting to use, the following can be used as a “general guideline” to start from – depending on the lighting situation.

                              Very bright sunlight --- 100 ISO

                              Dull and dreary day --- 400 ISO

                              Indoors or under floodlights --- 800 to 1600 ISO

Keep in mind that the higher ISOs will lead to a lower quality photo.