Re: [Sheflug] Re: Digital cameras - pitfalls?

[Paul Sims <paul_sims [at] xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Optical design is usually a balance of compromises - for instance focal
length versus maximum aperture, magnification versus aberrations..... a
3x zoom is relatively easy to achieve whilst keeping everything else
within normal parameters. The barrel length of most zoom compact cameras
is very short so the scope for element motion is limited so the scope
for corrective element movements is also very limited.

So basically..... very wide zoom range is achievable but by compromising
either quality or price. So basically, whether digital or film, wide
zoom ranges just aren't practical on most compact cameras - check out
Jessops for SLR lenses with 10x zoom (say 28-280mm)and you'll find it a
rare thing indeed.


On Sun, 2003-05-25 at 15:56, David Holden wrote:

> 
> Slighly of linux topic, but any know why >90% digital cameras only come
> with 3x optical zoom, I can think of the Fuji ones that have 6x and the
> olympus one that have 10x but most seem to have 3x or below. Is it
> difficult for digital cameras to have bigger zooms?
> 
>  Dave.
> 
> 
> > Sheffield Linux User's Group -
> > http://www.sheflug.co.uk/mailfaq.html
> > 
> >   GNU the choice of a complete generation.
-- 
Paul Sims <paul_sims [at] ntlworld.com>

___________________________________________________________________

Sheffield Linux User's Group -
http://www.sheflug.co.uk/mailfaq.html

  GNU the choice of a complete generation.