Zoom Lenses
Digital Cameras – Fixed Lenses Vs. Zoom Lenses
Most cameras come with a zoom lens as standard. However, you might want to consider the alternative to these – the fixed lens camera. Here we will explain which is the best for you.
First, in brief a zoom lens is the key feature on a digital camera as it adds tremendous flexibility to your photography. Most compact digital cameras have optical zoom lenses; that’s a lens that can vary its field of view in order to magnify (‘zoom in’) or broaden (‘Zoom out’) a scene. These are ideal for when you cannot get close to your subject or want to include more of it in the shot, making the camera very versatile.
We have seen the flexibility a zoom lens has to offer, but there are a couple of benefits offered by a fixed lens digital camera which are not available to most zoom optics. These are a higher optical quality and a compact size. A good example of a fixed lens digital camera is a Canon’s IX US i5; it has a high quality build, compact and stylish design, and a bright 39mm lens.
Advantages
Better optical quality results from the lens not being the optical equivalent of a jack-of-all-trades. A zoom must do a multitude of optical tasks and, in order to achieve them, compromises are made in the lens designs which affect optical quality. No such compromises are made in a fixed lens. Having one focal length, usually a wide view between 28mm and 35mm, means that the lens is made specifically for that length, making it sharper (for more detail) and brighter (to let in more light) than the zoom lens equivalent. They often have a wider field of view too. Compact sizes are possible because the design does not cater to the mechanisms needed to zoom the optical train back and forth. Battery power lasts longer too for the same reason.
Disadvantages
Fixed lens digital cameras can seem expensive, largely due to the cost of their optics and the fact that fixed lens digital cameras are often premium models. Another consideration is that there are fewer fixed lens digital cameras on the market. In addition, as already discussed, a fixed lens camera does not have the convenient flexibility of a zoom. Because of this, most people are willing to live with the compromises involved in a zoom camera.
The Cheaper Option
There are many very cheap non-zoom digital cameras on the market. They tend to use digital zoom to make up for the lack of an optical zoom. We’ve discussed the problem with digital zoom already, and with very cheap fixed lens digital cameras you actually get worse optics, poor image processing and even poorer results. These are best avoided.
So, why purchase a fixed focal length lens when you could get over fifty dissimilar focal lengths with a zoom lens? There are in fact several good reasons to opt for fixed lenses over zoom lenses. The first good reason to go for a fixed wide-angle lens instead of a zoom wide angle is because fixed lens are faster and they show more depth. The differences between the two kinds are usually very subtle, but it does make quite a difference. Since the zoom lenses change focal lengths as they shift they tend to flatten the depth of field and change the perspective. With a fixed lens, there are not any moving parts and therefore better performance on their one focal length.
Thanks for reviewing this article, I hope you found the information useful and of great use.
About the Author
We hope you’ve found this article about
video camera lenses
very educational and informative. Tabitha Mwendo: A website consultant, publisher, author and marketer. She is at the moment focusing on
water resistant digital camera
theme. click here for more digital photography tutorial and inspiration – http://www.edigitalcamera.org
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Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF Lens Original Instruction Manual $12.43 |
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NICE OLYMPUS OM88 35mm SLR Camera w/ 30-70mm Zoom f = 3.8 – 4.5 Lens $39.99 |
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New Lens Zoom Focus Flex Cable Parts for Canon G10 G11 G12 $8.99 |
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9mm-22mm Manual Zoom Manual Focal MTV CCTV Lens $18.00 |
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Sigma 28-70 mm zoom lens $15.64 |
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NIKON HB-26 HOOD TO FIT THE AF ZOOM NIKKOR 70-300mm LENS $17.12 |
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HANIMEX MC AUTOMATIC 35-200 ZOOM MACRO LENS for NIKON New Old Stock #white $99.00 |
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Sakar Compact One Touch Macro Zoom 75-300 mm F 5.6 Lens For Nikon #yellow $99.00 |
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NEW NIKON COOLPIX S9300 Silver 16.0 MP 18x optical zoom NIKKOR lens Camera $389.00 |
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Sigma 18 mm – 200 mm F/3.5-6.3 DC Lens (Zoom Lens) for Sigma Mount DLSR $149.99 |
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Makinon SLR ZOOM TELEPHOTO LENS- Auto 135mm f / 2.8 -AS NEW $18.56 |
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Zoom Lens NEW by Marleen Rita Duckhorn $23.75 |
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Nikon Zoom-Nikkor 28 mm – 200 mm F/3.5-5.6 IF AF ED G Lens $435.00 |
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NEW NIKON COOLPIX S9300 Black 16.0 MP 18x optical zoom NIKKOR lens Camera $389.00 |
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10X Zoom Camera Lens Telescope + Specialized Case Cover For New iPad 3rd Gen $22.99 |
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TAKUMAR 80-200mm ZOOM LENS TO FIT PENTAX K . $15.56 |
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Nikon – Tamron 70-300mm Tele-Macro 1:4-5.6 LD Zoom Lens $129.99 |
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Minolta 28-80mm Zoom Lens With Original Hood – Fits Sony Alpha $54.72 |
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Canon EF 100-400mm L IS F4.5-5.6 USM Zoom Lens NearMint $1,469.99 |
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SONY DSC-T77 T90 T700 T900 LENS ZOOM UNIT PART FOR LENS REPAIR $29.99 |
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Vtg old Used MINOLTA DYNAX 5 FILM Film Camera + Minolta AF Zoom lens 28-80mm … $34.00 |
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VINTAGE SMC PENTAX-M ZOOM 1:4.5 80-200MM LENS WITH CAPS AND CASE NICE $49.99 |
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Soligor 80-200mm f4.5 MC C/D Mount MACRO Zoom Lens Push Pull #382304340 $34.99 |
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Sigma 70-210mm f4-5.6 MC zoom-K lens with Praktica bayonet mount $31.19 |
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CANON ZOOM LENS EF 35-70mm 1:3.5-4.5 A…Steel Mount, Superior Optics, Look! $45.00 |
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Olympus OM-system Zuiko Auto-Zoom 75-150mm F4 lens in makers box . $75.00 |
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6 X Optical Zoom Camera Lens Telescope Close Up Adapter for iPhone 4 4S + Case $14.84 |
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Quantaray Mini-Compact 70-140mm F3.8 Zoom Tele Multi-coated lens, for Minolta $66.00 |
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Sears Multi-coated Auto Tele Zoom lens for Minolta F=80-200mm $36.00 |
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NEW 24-45mm F3.5-4.5 CD SOLIGOR MACRO ZOOM LENS for KONICA CAMERAS EE AE SETTING $99.99 |
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NEW TOKINA 80-200mm F3.5-4.5 SMZ 835 ZOOM LENS for KONICA CAMERAS with AE EE $69.99 |
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EXCELLENT Nikon D70 DIGITAL DSLR CAMERA KIT SET + ZOOM LENS 28-80mm + ACCS +2xCF $419.95 |
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Kalimar 1.5X TELEPHOTO EXTENDER LENS FOR SLR ZOOM $9.99 |
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Lens Hood fits Nikon AF-S VR Zoom 18-200mm IF-ED HB-35 $10.99 |
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Chinar Auto Macro Zoom Lens 80-205mm F4.5 for Pentax K $27.99 |
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Lens Zoom UNIT For CANON Powershot IXY210 SD780 IXUS100 IS- with CCD (black) $33.00 |
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Lens Zoom UNIT For CANON Powershot IXY210 SD780 IXUS100 IS- with CCD (orange) $33.88 |
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Lens Zoom UNIT For CANON Powershot IXY210 SD780 IXUS100 IS- with CCD (red) $33.00 |
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Lens Zoom UNIT For CANON Powershot IXY210 SD780 IXUS100 IS- with CCD (silver) $33.00 |
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Lens Zoom UNIT For CANON Powershot SD1400 IXUS130 IS- with CCD (black) $42.99 |
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Lens Zoom UNIT For CANON Powershot SD1400 IXUS130 IS- with CCD (orange) $42.99 |
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Lens Zoom UNIT For CANON Powershot SD1400 IXUS130 IS- with CCD (red) $42.99 |
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NEW! Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 DiII VC PZD Zoom Lens + 62mm UV filter for NIKON! $649.99 |
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Lens Zoom UNIT For CANON Powershot SD1400 IXUS130 IS- with CCD (silver) $42.99 |
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Lens Zoom Unit Repair For CASIO Exilim EX-H5 H10 H15 camera $37.98 |
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Genuine Zoom Lens Unit for Canon SX150 SX 150 without CCD $52.88 |
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Lens Zoom Unit Repair For CASIO Exilim EX-S7 camera $24.99 |
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Lens Zoom Unit Repair For CASIO Exilim EX-Z2000 Z2200 Z2300 camera $34.99 |
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Lens Zoom Unit Repair For CASIO Exilim EX-Z55 Z57 Z50 Z40 Z30 camera $22.99 |
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Lens Zoom Unit Repair For CASIO Exilim EX-Z60 Z70 Z75 camera $24.99 |
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Lens Zoom Unit Repair For CASIO Exilim EX-Z80 Z90 camera $25.88 |
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NEW! Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 DiII VC PZD Zoom Lens + 62mm UV filter for CANON! $649.95 |
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NEW Lens Zoom Unit Repair Part For Samsung L700 L60 Camera ~Orginal (silver) $21.99 |
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NEW Lens Zoom Unit Repair Part For Samsung PL80 Camera ~Orginal (black) $36.88 |
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NEW Lens Zoom Unit Repair Part For Samsung PL80 Camera ~Orginal (silver) $34.98 |
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NEW Lens Zoom Unit Repair Part For Samsung ST65 ES80 Camera (silver) $28.66 |
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PANASONIC ET-DLE250 POWER ZOOM LENS FOR PT-D6000 AND PT-D5700 PROJECTORS $1,395.00 |
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Yashica No.969440, Yashinon-s Zoom Lens 1:1.8,f=12-30 $14.00 |
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Canon Zoom Lense FD 70 mm – 210 mm 1:4 $199.99 |
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Kalimar FD Mt Macro Zoom 80 mm – 200 mm F/3.9 Lens … $50.00 |
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TAMRON 70-210MM F4-5.6 ADAPTALL II MULTIPLE SLR DSLR CAMERA MOUNT ZOOM LENS $39.99 |
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5 x Zoom Lens Shutter Flex Cable for Samsung S800 S830 S1000 S1030 NV8 NV10 L80 $9.99 |
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New Zoom Lens Shutter Flex Cable for Samsung S800 S830 S1000 S1030 NV8 NV10 L80 $4.99 |
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CANON ZOOM LENS FD 75-200mm 1:4.5 **Near Mint** $35.00 |
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VERY NICE CANON ZOOM LENS EF 100 – 300MM 1:4.5 – 5.6 ULTRASONIC FOR THE CANON $130.00 |
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New Canon 18-55mm 18 55 Lens Zoom Part Shutter Flex Cable $4.99 |
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PENTAX-A ZOOM 1:3.5 – 1:4.5 28 -80mm TAKUMAR CAMERA LENS BOXED WITH CAPS $34.40 |
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NIKON NIKKOR ZOOM LENS AF 35-70MM F3.3 – F4.5 $32.83 |
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MACRO MC AUTO ZOOM CPC PHASE 2 CCT 75-300MM 1:5.6 LENS $5.99 |
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Canon EF 35-80mm F4-5.6 Zoom Lens for EOS SLRs $54.71 |
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60X Zoom Magnify Microscope Lens With 3 LEDs Light For Apple iPhone 4 4G eAe JU7 $0.99 |
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Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras *NEW* $99.00 |
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Nikon N80 AF Film Camera + AF Nikkor 28-80mm Zoom Lens $273.59 |
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Pentax TAKUMAR 70-200mm F4 LENS Zoom A Manual Focus —– $$$$$$$$$$$ —- L@@K $4.99 |
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Nikon Zoom-Nikkor 24 mm – 70 mm F/2.8 AF-S G ED Lens $1,576.00 |
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Canon EOS Rebel G 35mm SLR Film Camera with 35-80mm 1:4.5-5.6 III zoom lens $50.00 |
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Canon Zoom Lense FD 75-200mm 1:4.5 Macro Lense $1.55 |
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Tefnon 70-210mm f3.5 Manual Zoom Lens for Canon FD SLR – Excellent w/ lens caps $22.00 |
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Minolta XG9 35mm SLR Film Camera w/ Centon MC Zoom 1:3.5-4.5 28-70mm Lens $70.34 |
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Fujinon SRD92 Servo Zoom Demand For Remote Zoom Control On Professional Lens $229.95 |
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A CANON FD BAYONET FIT MIRANDA 1:3.5-4.8 F=28-70MM MC MACRO ZOOM LENS $51.20 |
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CANON ZOOM LENS TV-16 25-100MM 1:1.18 $225.00 |
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Mamiya AF 55-110 mm F/4.5 Lens 55-110mm f4.5 Zoom 645AF #049 WARRANTY FREE SHIP $699.00 |
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Nikon Zoom-Nikkor 17 mm – 35 mm F/2.8 AF-S D IF ED Lens $900.00 |
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Pentax F SMC 35-80mm f/4-5.6 Manual Focus Zoom Lens ** PENTAX PK FIT ** $39.09 |
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Tamron Minolta AF Zoom 70-210mm LENS Camera Auto Focus $78.74 |
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Y016 New 8 X Optical Zoom Telescope Camera Lens + Tripod Stand For iPhone 4 4G $15.59 |
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BEAUTY MINOLTA 100-300mm MACRO ZOOM LENS MAXXUM & SONY ALPHA INCL. A33 A55 A77 $112.05 |
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Canon Auto Zoom 518 SV Super 8 Camera Case Lens $19.99 |
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Nikon 24-70mm ZOOM Thermo Lens Cup Coffee Mug Stainless Steel Inerior DC59 $19.04 |
