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Question

AX100 digital zoom vs HF R52

Sep 25, 2014 7:45PM PDT

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I wonder since ax100 got 12x digital zoom, while R52 got 30x optical zoom.
If I stand at the same distance from an object and use the ax100's digital zoom to get as the same view as the R52 maxium optical zoom, which one will give a better result?

thx guys

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Optical Zoom
Sep 25, 2014 8:03PM PDT

In theory optical zoom is the only way to go. I say "in theory" as most manufacturers can now enhance the digital part of the zoom.
The old digital zoom used the centre part of the video chip so fewer and fewer pixels were available at the telephoto end of the zoom. Now with bigger chips and a greater number of pixels the zoom can be increased digitally without noticeable degradation.
My Panasonic HC-V750 has 20x optical zoom and 50x (so called) intelligent zoom with a final top of 1500x zoom.
(I don't go there!)

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further question
Sep 26, 2014 12:57AM PDT

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thx for the reply

If I just use the optical zoom, and then crop it afterward on computer. Does this give me the same result as the optical zoom? or the optical zoom will work better?

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I see garbage in your posts. I wonder if you need to read..
Sep 26, 2014 1:04AM PDT
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Zoom
Sep 26, 2014 1:43AM PDT

Optical zoom works like a telescope and projects an enlarged picture on the video chip. The whole chip is used for both wide angle and tele. With digital zoom and with cropping in a video editor you are making the picture out of less pixels. Fewer pixels means a degraded picture and less detail.
Camera manufacturer have created ways around this by using oversize chips and electronic doubling up but even they can only go so far.
The example of my camera 20x optical and 50x optical plus electronic is the limit that Panasonic put on their zoom before the picture becomes degraded. They allow 1500x zoom but the picture is very poor.
So optical zoom is the better way to go.

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Answer
If you are comparing to the
Sep 26, 2014 2:26AM PDT

$2,000 Sony FDR-AX100 4k camcorder

to the entry-level $450 Canon HF R52,

I'll take the $2,000 camcorder. Worst case for the AX100: Add a tele lens. Other useful features on the AX100 include better audio control, NightShot infrared system (record monochrome video in zero visible light), "Smooth Slow Record", and a few others.

Digital zoom on the 4k captured video will look fine when compared to the 180 resolution on the R52.

Your comparison is like comparing an entry level Ford to a Bentley and asking which is more comfortable - but wanting better mileage in the Bentley (possible to do if more parts are added).