Digial zoom vs optical zoom

[hamms-scooter]

Can anyone explain the difference?

[BartmanMN]

Optical is better as it uses lenses. Digital is just that, digitally enhanced zoom usually more blurry.

[CAMAN]

Yup. Digital zoom just zooms in on the full size picture and the closer you zoom, the more pixelated the picture gets.

Optical zoom uses the lenses to zoom in and the pixelation doesn't change no matter how close you zoom.

[amateurfishing]

all i know is digital zoom sucks & very unreliable for a good pic, optical is MUCH better and more important of the two

[Jim Almquist]

Can anyone explain the difference?

I wish that they would not even advertise digital zoom because it is so worthless.

[hamms-scooter]

I was only asking because I see marcum uses the optical zoom and the vexilar uses the digital zoom. Info straight from marcum prostaff article.

[hamms-scooter]

How does that explain using lenses then?

[CAMAN]

I was only asking because I see marcum uses the optical zoom and the vexilar uses the digital zoom. Info straight from marcum prostaff article.

Can you post a link? Was it for their underwater camera's?

[hamms-scooter]

Looking for the link... talking about the lx-5 vs vexilar fl-20

[Esox_Magnum]

Digital just blows up the image in zoom, Optical is a true zoom allowing for a cleaner image.

[BartmanMN]

That would make no sense on zoom associated with a flasher. It would make sense for the cameras.

[hamms-scooter]

That would make no sense on zoom associated with a flasher. It would make sense for the cameras.

That is why I asked about it. ?? I would think it would be the same technology for both units.

[hamms-scooter]

Google (marcum flasher optical zoom)

[Esox_Magnum]

Yes Vex uses Digital and Marcum uses Optical, there is a difference....

[hamms-scooter]

Explains a little bit.

[aanderud]

I'm calling bee-ess here. NOte that I'm not saying which unit I think is better -- I'm merely disputing the statement that the LX-5 has OPTICAL zoon. It's a SONAR. There are no OPTICS in it. Thus, it can't have OPTICAL zoom. They may have signal processing that produces a zoom image that is similar to an optical zoom on a camera lens, but nonetheless the lack of optics on the unit means it can't possibly have 'optical' zoom. Remember that it's the internet -- anyone can write anything, just about. Just because someone writes something doesn't make it true -- especially if the person who wrote the article was paid to write it by the company whose products they are endorsing (either with cash or with discounted or free products). Take things with a grain of salt.

[Esox_Magnum]

Side by side theres a big difference between a Vex and Marcum in the zoom range as far as seperation and crispness....An LX-5 can get down to 3/4" seperation in zoom (true zoom) while a FL-20 still has 2.68" seperation in zoom( blown up zoom)....

[hamms-scooter]

I'm calling bee-ess here. NOte that I'm not saying which unit I think is better -- I'm merely disputing the statement that the LX-5 has OPTICAL zoon. It's a SONAR. There are no OPTICS in it. Thus, it can't have OPTICAL zoom. They may have signal processing that produces a zoom image that is similar to an optical zoom on a camera lens, but nonetheless the lack of optics on the unit means it can't possibly have 'optical' zoom. Remember that it's the internet -- anyone can write anything, just about. Just because someone writes something doesn't make it true -- especially if the person who wrote the article was paid to write it by the company whose products they are endorsing (either with cash or with discounted or free products). Take things with a grain of salt.

Google it.... and read

[aanderud]

Side by side theres a big difference between a Vex and Marcum in the zoom range as far as seperation and crispness....An LX-5 can get down to 3/4" seperation in zoom (true zoom) while a FL-20 still has 2.68" seperation in zoom( blown up zoom)....

E.M. -- I didn't say the vex was better. In fact, I own one of each and I like the LX-5 much better. Re-read my post. I specifically said I wasn't debating the quality of one versus the other, but only calling beeess on the OPTICAL zoom thing. That's it.

I still maintain that CK is full of it when he says it's "OPTICAL" zoom. There aren't optics. I googled it and read it and I don't believe it that's all.

[Esox_Magnum]

I just belive there is a big difference so they are not using the same way to zoom...be it optical, digital or little green men from mars....

[aanderud]

I agree. Again, re-read my post. I even said they may have better signal processing that acts in a way similar to optical zoom. That doesn't make it 'optical'

[hamms-scooter]

Not just CK you think that about then check out companies selling the marcum flashers. Look at the discription and info on each unit. This would be false advertising if not true. They are not stating an opinion like our zoom is better they are saying it is an "Optical" zoom.... If this is not right then all these companies are telling false info... Don't think so.

[DTro]

op·ti·cal (pt-kl)

adj.

1. Of or relating to sight; visual: an optical defect.

2. Designed to assist sight: optical instruments.

3. Of or relating to optics.

4. Relating to or using visible light: optical astronomy.

5. Using light-sensitive devices.

None of the above apply

I'm pretty sure they were using the term as an analogy to digital photography.

[hamms-scooter]

Not saying that your point is wrong just wondering why marcum has this in their specs on their "FLASHER" description. Look at Bass pro they list it the same.... Weird huh? I see it the same way you do Dtro but then how are they able to advertise this?

[CAMAN]

Found this ---

Quote:

* Adjustable, Optical Zoom – While many folks know that MarCum offers the only zoom feature that’s adjustable anywhere in the water column, few are aware that the zoom on a MarCum is a true, optical zoom. Unlike competitors, whose resolution never increases and whose display is merely “blown-up,” the MarCum optical zoom feature actually increases your ability to discern distance and size between targets. Rather than a larger display of the same data, you’re getting better information through a true optical zoom. It’s the same principal that applies to digital photography.