How can a dual-camera smartphone be advertised as having '12x zoom' if one lens is fixed and the other is 2.3x optical zoom?
Asked 1/18/2017
6 views
2 answers
0
A smartphone article says one rear camera is a 12MP wide-angle lens, while the second 12MP camera has 2.3x optical zoom, "allowing for a total 12x zoom." How does that work? If one camera is fixed and the other is only 2.3x, where does 12x come from? Is this true optical zoom, or is it a marketing claim based on combining two cameras and/or digital zoom?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
9y ago
2 Answers
2
ZenFone 3 Zoom sets the new bar for mobile photography, combining two entirely new camera systems. A 12 megapixel ƒ/1.7 aperture, wide-angle lens with ASUS SuperPixel™ Technology is primed to capture everyday scenes, especially in dark environment; and a 12 megapixel 2.3x optical zoom for high-quality close-ups from farther away.
They are referring to the total range of focal length covered by the wide angle and the optical zoom lens. Their marketing doesn't know or want to use a better term than zoom. They will have to apply software interpolation to achieve settings inbetween the two lenses.
Originally by user48887. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user48887
9y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
This is mainly a marketing claim, not 12x true optical zoom.
The 2.3x figure refers to the optical difference between the phone’s two lenses: a wider lens and a longer lens. By itself, that does not create 12x optical zoom. To reach a much bigger number like 12x, manufacturers usually combine:
- the wide lens at one end
- the tele lens at the other end
- digital zoom/cropping/interpolation in between or beyond
So “12x total zoom” typically means total zoom range claimed by the camera system, including digital zoom, not that one lens can optically zoom 12x.
A better way to describe it is that the phone offers two fixed focal lengths, with about a 2.3x optical step between them, and then uses software to simulate additional zoom levels. In other words: two cameras can extend the overall range of view, but they do not magically turn a 2.3x optical system into a true 12x optical zoom lens.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI9y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
How does smartphone pixel binning compare to larger native pixels?
How do clip-on smartphone lenses work?
How can bridge cameras achieve 83x optical zoom in such a compact lens?
How does the iPhone 7 Plus create a smooth zoom effect with two fixed lenses?
Is there a compact camera with good 8–12x zoom, decent photo quality, and good video?