5 best optical zoom digital camera

Optical zoom is a feature commonly found in digital cameras, including point-and-shoot digital cameras. It allows you to adjust the focal length of the camera's lens, bringing distant objects closer without sacrificing image quality. Here are some key points related to optical zoom in digital cameras:

Optical Zoom vs. Digital Zoom: Optical zoom is different from digital zoom. Optical zoom uses the camera's lens to physically magnify the image, resulting in high-quality, true optical magnification. Digital zoom, on the other hand, simply enlarges a portion of the image digitally, which can lead to a loss of image quality.
Zoom Range: The optical zoom range of a camera is typically represented in terms of a ratio, such as 3x, 5x, or 10x. This indicates how much the lens can magnify the image compared to its widest angle. For example, a 5x optical zoom means the lens can make objects appear five times closer than they would be at the widest setting.
Versatility: Optical zoom is highly versatile and allows you to capture a wide range of subjects, from wide-angle landscapes to distant wildlife or sports events. It's particularly useful when you can't physically get closer to your subject.
Image Quality: Optical zoom maintains image quality because it relies on the physical movement of lens elements. This results in sharp and clear images, even when zoomed in. In contrast, digital zoom can lead to pixelation and a loss of detail.
Aperture and Light: Some cameras have a variable aperture that changes as you zoom.A wider aperture (lower f-number) lets in more light, which is beneficial for low-light photography. However, not all cameras have this feature.
Size and Portability: Point-and-shoot digital cameras with optical zoom are often compact and easy to carry, making them a popular choice for casual photographers who want the convenience of zoom without the bulk of larger interchangeable-lens cameras.
Image Stabilization: Many modern digital cameras with optical zoom include image stabilization technology to reduce the effects of camera shake when using the zoom at longer focal lengths. This helps in achieving sharp photos even at high zoom levels.
Zoom Control: Most cameras allow you to control the zoom manually using a lever or a button on the camera body. Some also offer digital zoom as an option if you need to extend the zoom range beyond the optical zoom capabilities.

In summary, optical zoom is a valuable feature in digital cameras, particularly point-and-shoot models. It enables you to capture distant subjects with high image quality and versatility. When choosing a digital camera, consider the optical zoom range as one of the important factors to meet your photography needs.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best optical zoom digital camera on the market

Kodak PIXPRO Friendly Zoom FZ53-BK 16MP Digital Camera with 5X Optical Zoom and 2.7" LCD Screen (Black)

KODAK

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price

Product description

5x optical zoom 28mm wide angle 16 megapixels 2.7 LCD screen 720P HD video. Power = Rechargeable Li-ion Battery LB-012, 3.7V 700mAh, In-Camera Charging .

5x optical zoom
28mm wide angle
16 megapixels
2.7" Lcd screen
720P HD video

User questions & answers

Question:	does it have a flash
Answer:	Yes there is a flash. Takes a real nice picture with the flash.
Question:	The manual is incorrect How do you delete all? flashing orange = charging
Answer:	Turn your camera on, push the arrow button below the green light, then hit trash button. screen will prompt you to delete one or all, pick choice and push set.
Question:	can you film with it? if you can, does it have good video quality
Answer:	Quality is garbage..,,much much better off and much cheaper with an old iPhone for pics and video Needed us for business but big mistake.... camera is trash
Question:	Does this camera have the option to do a date stamp
Answer:	Yes. Check the online instruction book for more information.

Product features

Slim Design

Portable, pocket-sized and ready to go wherever your life takes you, the FZ53 is our answer to a compact, affordable and intuitive digital camera that will deliver fantastic photos and video with the push of a button.

5x Optical Zoom

The FZ53 offers a generous 5x zoom in a slim fitting design. Take this user friendly point and shoot wherever you go and zoom in as close as you need.

28mm Wide Angle

Grab the whole picture with the handy 28mm wide angle lens. Just point and frame the photo or video you want to capture. You’ll be amazed at the performance and capabilities within this Friendly Zoom, more than friendly to use camera.

One Touch HD Video

The FZ53 takes a simple approach to effortlessly switching between photos to HD Video with the touch of a button. Talk about simplicity at its best.

Digital Camera,8X Optical Zoom Camera,24MP 2.7 Inch Mini Camera for Backpacking, Compact HD Cameras for Photography Students Cameras for Adult/Seniors/Kids

GordVE

Check latest price

【Mini Digital Camera】18 Mega pixels CMOS sensor,support image capture and video shooting.The image format is JPEG,the video format is AVI.2.7 Inch LCD display and 8X digital zoom.This is a cost-effective entry-level ordinary camera,easy to operate,good for newbie/students/family,and good as a gift.
【Pocket Cameras Digital with Zoom】8X optical zoom enlarges your picture,you can take the expected photos according to the actual scene.Multifunction: Anti-Shake,Face Detection,Smile Capture,Continue Shot,Self-timer etc.
【Compact Cameras for Photography】Compact small size 90*60*18mm, only Weight 150g,easy to carry around.Pho Tags Express software for managing and enhanceing your photos,printing,sending photos by e-mails and much more.
【HD Digital Camera for Backpacking】Lanyard and pocket for portability, convenient for you to travel abroad.High-capacity rechargeable lithium battery, reduce charging time.SD memory card slot,support MAX 32G SD card(Not included),can shoot many high-definition photos and videos without worrying about insufficient memory.USB 2.0 interface,share images or videos to your social media.
【Optical Zoom Camera with Flash Light】Internal microphone and speaker (record sound videos),it support hot shoe interface so you can open flash light according to scene needs,excellent performance in low light conditions.Suggest to open the flash when you use this indoor.

Product features

Many years of work

2.7 inch TFT LCD display shows you vivid videos, 750 mAh lithium-ion (Li-Ion) battery can work camera for longer than 60 minutes.

Recording with HD resolution

24 megapixel resolution for good recording, HD 1080P resolution for recording, create your HD masterpiece. Support MAX 128G SD card with external memory. (NOT INCLUDED) The SD card must be formatted before use.

Multiple recording modes

Anti-shake, face detection, smile capture, resume recording, self-timer, 8x Optical zoom, PhoTags Express software for editing, printing and sharing photos with e-mails etc.

Lightweight and compact

When you film your masterpieces, you do not want to be loaded by cumbersome devices. For this reason, we have made our digital camera so small that it fits easily in your bag and is so light that you don't notice that it is there.

Open the battery compartment.

Close the battery compartment.

Battery compartment / SD memory card slot

Control button

Kodak PIXPRO Friendly Zoom FZ43-RD 16MP Digital Camera with 4X Optical Zoom and 2.7" LCD Screen (Red)

KODAK

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Introducing the FZ43, friendly zoom from the new Kodak PIXPRO collection of digital cameras. Compact, intuitive and oh so easy to use, the FZ43 is the perfect camera to take anywhere you go. One-touch video, Red-eye removal, face detection and AA batteries are just the start. Kodak PIXPRO digital cameras. Tell your story.

User questions & answers

Question:	does it accept sd cards
Answer:	Thank you for your question. The KODAK PXIPRO FZ43 Friendly Zoom Camera takes a standard SD or SDHC memory card. We recommend purchasing a card that is no larger than 32 GB. Please note that the FZ43 is not compatible with Micro SD, Micro/Adapter, Ultra, Ultra Plus, Extreme, or XC Cards.
Question:	Is this camera compatible with windows
Answer:	We didn't have a SD card reader built into our computer so I had to buy an external card reader, but once the pictures were on the computer there was no trouble using windows 10 to do anything we did before.
Question:	My camera won't turn on. I made sure they followed the plus and minus. I even changed the batteries and checked again
Answer:	Mine did the same thing and the supplied batteries checked good. Then, I put some Duracell batteries in the camera and it came to life. The supplied batteries are probably weak. Try some new Duracell Alkalines and try it again, before you send it back.
Question:	does it come with a battery charger
Answer:	No it does not. You must buy your own batteries although some are included. Buy rechargeable and your own charger.

Product features

27mm Wide Angle Lens

Why limit yourself to standing back to get the whole gang in the shot? With a 27mm wide-angle lens, the FZ43 means you don't have to. It gives you plenty of space to work with for all your friends.

16 Megapixels

16 megapixels gives you ample detail to play with, so have fun! Not only will you never have to worry about the quality of your photos, but you can change them up afterwards while keeping that clarity. If you need to zoom in and crop, go right ahead.

2.7 Inch LCD

The best way to make sure your photo is going to come out great is to see it ahead of time. Thanks to a big, bright 2.7-inch LCD screen, you can do just that. Just point, frame, and shoot.

4x Optical Zoom

The FZ43 has both optical zoom and digital zoom to make sure that you are able to capture all of the details that are important to you.

720P HD Video: Making Memories Move

Some stories are best told with motion. With one-touch video recording, grab all the best frames instantly. Rest assured, with 720P HD video, you'll be sure to capture all of the details that matter the most.

AA Battery Convenience

The FZ43 is our answer to portability and convenience. Take this camera anywhere you go and rely on the convenience of AA batteries to never miss a shot or capturing that special moment to cherish for years.

What's in the Box?

Kodak PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ401-BK 16MP Digital Camera with 40X Optical Zoom and 3" LCD (Black)

KODAK

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Introducing the new Kodak PIXPRO AZ401 digital camera from our Astro zoom collection. A 40x Ultra long zoom lens with optical image stabilization delivers crisp, clear 16 Megapixel close-ups, 180 Degree Panorama or HD videos with the switch of a button. Object tracking, post-editing features and a host of powerful yet intuitive settings make photography with this Camera effortless, entertaining and frustration-free. Kodak PIXPRO digital cameras - tell your story.

You’ll get well defined, detailed images thanks to the AZ401’s 16 million pixels. That’s ample resolution to crop, zoom, or enlarge your photos however the photographer in you desires.
With a 24mm wide angle lens, there’s no sacrificing what you want in the frame. So go ahead and let your camera see what you see - The sky’s the limit!
The optical image stabilization will iron out any small movements as you’re focused on getting your shot, so you never have to be afraid to go for what you want.
Whether you’re in the moment, or modifying your work at a later time, the bright, 3” LCD screen ensures that you end up with just what you’re looking for.
Capture everything in your peripherals with the 180 Degree Panorama feature
The az401 takes a standard SD/SDHC memory card that is at least Class 4 and no larger than 32GB
The az401 is not compatible with Micro SD, micro/adapter, Ultra, Ultra plus, Extreme, extreme Plus, Extreme Pro, or SDXC cards

User questions & answers

Question:	can it connect Chromebook
Answer:	no,
Question:	Has anyone found a hood that works with this camera
Answer:	I just purchased and received this and it seems to be made for it. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KJBLFT2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&th=1
Question:	Is there a specific kind of aa battery? i have tried rechargeable and regular and i can’t get them to work. thank you
Answer:	Thank you for your question. For the KODAK PIXPRO AZ401 Astro Zoom Camera, we recommend using only name brand batteries. Please contact our customer service team at (888)978-0806 Mon-Fri 8am to 5pm PST or you may reach them via email at [email protected] so they can better assist you with your AZ401.
Question:	Does it come with an sd card
Answer:	Thank you for your question. The KODAK PIXPRO AZ401 Astro Zoom Camera does not automatically come with an SD card in the box. That being said, it depends on which bundle you are purchasing from Amazon, as some bundles do include an SD card. We recommend purchasing a name brand memory card that is 4GB-32GB and Class 4 or higher to ensure optimum performance.

Product features

16 Megapixels

Crystal Clear Capture.

You’ll get well defined, detailed images thanks to the AZ401’s 16 million pixels. That’s ample resolution to crop, zoom, or enlarge your photos however the photographer in you desires.

24mm Wide Angle

Widen Your Horizons.

You don’t do anything halfway, so why should your camera? With a 24mm wide angle lens, there’s no sacrificing what you want in the frame. So go ahead and let your camera see what you see–the sky’s the limit!

40X Optical Zoom

Zoom In On Life.

Let the powerful 40x optical zoom lens get you the shot you need. If you’re not feeling brave enough to get up close and personal, nobody needs to know. Just stand back and admire while zooming in, and expect clear, crisp results with the Kodak Pixpro AZ401. It’ll look like you were right there!

3-Inch Screen Size

As You See It.

You know what you want out of a picture, and your camera should make sure that you’re able to get it. Whether you’re in the moment, or modifying your work at a later time, the bright, 3” LCD screen ensures that you end up with just what you’re looking for.

180° Panorama

Panning For Gold.

As far as the eye can see is now as far as the camera sees. In this mode, it’ll piece the picture together for you to produce one exquisite perspective. Capture everything in your peripherals with the 180° Panorama feature.

720p HD Video

Go With The Flow.

Sometimes it can seem like things are moving a little too fast for you to get the perfect picture. That’s totally okay-your AZ401 still has your back. You can rely on HD video with 720p resolution for the quality you need. Why settle for anything less?

Canon PowerShot SX740 Digital Camera w/40x Optical Zoom & 3 Inch Tilt LCD - 4K VIdeo, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth Enabled (Silver)

Canon

Based on 659 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Let the new compact PowerShot SX740 HS digital camera help you capture amazing still images and brilliant video wherever you are, even of subjects far off in the distance. With an impressive 40x optical zoom and crisp, clear 4K UHD video capability, there are endless opportunities to capture amazing moments, every day.

Powerful 40x Optical Zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer and Zoom Framing Assist
4K Video and 4K Time-lapse Movie
Built-in Wi-Fi* and Bluetooth** Technology
20.3 Megapixel*** CMOS Sensor
DIGIC 8 Image Processor.Optical Viewfinder:Not available
3.0-inch Tilt-type (180° up) LCD
High-speed Continuous Shooting at up to 7.4 fps (up to 10.0 fps with AF Lock)
Feature Assistant

User questions & answers

Question:	How it’s shutter sound can be disabled
Answer:	YES, the Camera Sounds can be modified under the Menu Section.
Question:	Is it easy to change the iso level in the p mode ? usually i shoot in automatic, but also like to change iso , real basic stuff
Answer:	Yes it’s very easy.
Question:	Can this camera shoot in raw format
Answer:	No, and the JPEG photo quality is that of iPhone 5s. Consider Panasonic LX20. Far better for $300 more. Even challenges Sony RX100 V, which is fragile lens design. LX20 and this Canon are better built.
Question:	Would this be a good camera to use for concerts in low light
Answer:	I bought the Canon G7X in 2015 because I wanted a point and shoot that was good in low light situations. The ISO goes up to 12800. The G7X is wonderful! I've used it in concerts and also numerous times for shows in the main theatre on cruises. My friends told me I couldn't take photos as flash was not allowed-no problem with my camera. Photos turned out great! There are newer versions now to the G7X. I've been happy with mine-worth the money.

Product features

4K Video

Record videos in super-high definition 4K 30p. Beautiful time-lapse videos can also be easily created in 4K with the Time-lapse Movie mode. 4K frame cropping* lets you grab high-quality still images from your video in-camera without needing additional software.

Slim Design

Slim, stylish and lightweight, the PowerShot SX740 HS camera is easy to bring on your adventures.

3.0-inch Tilt-type LCD

The 3.0-inch tilt-type LCD can be tilted upwards 180° for perfect selfies and dramatic perspectives.

Auto Transfer to Mobile

Automatically transfer your files to your compatible device for easy backup and online uploading.

Auto Transfer to Desktop

With the Image Transfer Utility 2 app^^, it's easy to automatically transfer files to your computer.

Built-in Wi-Fi

Use built-in Wi-Fi*** and the Canon Camera Connect app to transfer images, share, print and more.

Built-in Bluetooth

Built-in Bluetooth^ allows remote control and works with GPS for easy geotagging.

Remote Shooting

Simply connect the camera to a compatible device for remote shooting and playback capabilities.

Creative Shooting Modes

Be creative with shooting modes like Self-Portrait Mode for selfies, Food Mode for fun food pics, Video Snapshot Mode for memorable movies and Hybrid Auto to capture photos and video simultaneously.