What is Optical Zoom and how it works?

An exception to the few products like Sony Xperia 1 IV, Samsung Galaxy Zoom, and Asus ZenFone Zoom, the “optical zoom” of major smartphones is actually switching between different cameras. Notably, a multi-cam phone comprises an image sensor in each of its lenses. Therefore, when you switch magnifications, both the sensor and the lens change.

While this situation does not only differ from the optical zoom of the camera lens. But, also differ from the replacement of different lenses for SLR/mirror single lens. In this way, the “Optical Zoom” is act like a “relay.” Also, the telephoto lens on the Sony Xperia 1 III / 5 III  can be switched between 70mm F2.3 and 105mm F2.8. Subsequently, it is called a dual focal length, but not real optical zoom.

MULTIPLE CAMERAS FOR OPTICAL ZOOM

Various mobile phones set the 23-27mm focal length to 1x. Therefore, the super wide angle is 0.4x, 0.5x, and 0.6x. On the other hand, the medium telephoto is 2.0x, 3.0x, and 5.0x.

FOCAL LENGTH

Moving ahead with the info, between two fixed-focus cameras, there are several operations for processing the intermediate focal length. The first method is digital zoom and the result is from 1.1x to 2.9x. Although, at this stage, the picture quality tends to decrease. Whereas, from 2.9x to 3.0x, there will be a decent increase in image quality.

Moreover, the majority of mobile phones these days use quad-Bayer sensors as 1.0x wide-angle main cameras. They can output pictures with 4x pixels in high-pixel mode. And thus many mobile phones with the image function will definitely be the first to take high-pixel shooting. Apparently, it will then be able to capture the central area in order to achieve the zoom effect at the 2.0x focal length.

AUTO SWITCH

Additionally, even with a 2.0x or 3.0x telephoto camera, there would be a time when it automatically switches to using the main camera or super wide-angle camera. The reason behind the same is, the target exceeds the least focusing distance.

Optical Zoom

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