Manufacturers are choosing to label their digital cameras with the total (optical x digital) zoom which is confusing the consumers. Total zoom is actually the combination of Optical Zoom and Digital Zoom.

In this article, we discuss about the optical zoom vis-à-vis digital zoom. Read on.

Optical zoom uses the lens (optics) of the camera to bring the subject closer.

On the other hand, digital zoom is not exactly zooming. Digital zoom enlarges a portion of the image, ‘stimulating’ optical zoom.

Optical zoom doesn’t affect the picture quality whereas, when a picture is enlarged by digital zoom, the image loses its quality.

 Higher optical zoom is beneficial for your camcorder. This is because; a higher optical zoom will produce clearer pictures. The pictures are enlarged by the actual lenses. This allows you to capture a video from farther distance effectively, without affecting the quality of the pictures.

On the other hand, a digital zoom enlarges a picture, but reduces the overall picture quality. The picture is artificially enlarged by the digital zoom (hence the name “digital”).

However, we should not strictly ignore digital zoom. It is perhaps an inevitable part of all digital cameras. By zooming digitally in camera, you get to see what your subject is doing and thus can capture the shot at the right moment.

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A great camera with high-definition, progressive scans video at a good price. The software and zoom ring could have been better, but image quality is superb. That’s the initial feeling I had when I used the JVC GR-PD1 camcorder.

At just under 1.5kg all in, it’s a bit large to lug around, but gives the impression it can handle the rough stuff. A full-size lens hood, 3.5-inch LCD viewfinder, zoom/focus rings and an adjustable eyepiece are just a few of the more obvious advantages of the design too, but closer inspection also reveals a top-loading tape compartment, optical image stabilization and rotating grip.

The fact that it can still produce standard recordings to MiniDV tape means you can guarantee compatibility with older equipment, but it’s the two new modes (PS50 and PS25) that really show what this camcorder can do. The GR-PD1 has three recording modes. The first is a standard PAL DV25 mode (or 576i). New to this JVC is a progressive scan mode, 576p, called PS50.

This records 50 entire frames per second, giving you cleaner playback on a progressive scan display. But the headline here is high-definition, PS25. It’s not the full HD standard, but it still provides a widescreen 576p mode with 1,280 x 659 pixels for 25 full frames every second.

The new hybrid CCD fitted to JVC’s machine provides a fairly accurate level of color reproduction, challenging that of a three-chip model. Whether this is what you want depends on whether you prefer images to look saturated straight from the can, or whether you prefer a more neutral balance you can play with in the edit.

On the hardware side of things, it is a little disappointing with the zoom ring, which has none of the fine control offered by the zoom rocker.

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A great camera with high-definition, progressive scans video at a good price. The software and zoom ring could have been better, but image quality is superb. That’s the initial feeling I had when I used the JVC GR-PD1 camcorder.

At just under 1.5kg all in, it’s a bit large to lug around, but gives the impression it can handle the rough stuff. A full-size lens hood, 3.5-inch LCD viewfinder, zoom/focus rings and an adjustable eyepiece are just a few of the more obvious advantages of the design too, but closer inspection also reveals a top-loading tape compartment, optical image stabilization and rotating grip.

The fact that it can still produce standard recordings to MiniDV tape means you can guarantee compatibility with older equipment, but it’s the two new modes (PS50 and PS25) that really show what this camcorder can do. The GR-PD1 has three recording modes. The first is a standard PAL DV25 mode (or 576i). New to this JVC is a progressive scan mode, 576p, called PS50. This records 50 entire frames per second, giving you cleaner playback on a progressive scan display. But the headline here is high-definition, PS25. It’s not the full HD standard, but it still provides a widescreen 576p mode with 1,280 x 659 pixels for 25 full frames every second.

The new hybrid CCD fitted to JVC’s machine provides a fairly accurate level of color reproduction, challenging that of a three-chip model. Whether this is what you want depends on whether you prefer images to look saturated straight from the can, or whether you prefer a more neutral balance you can play with in the edit.

On the hardware side of things, it is a little disappointing with the zoom ring, which has none of the fine control offered by the zoom rocker.

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