Then it's optical ... V with its 3.5x - 5.2x lens.) This method isn’t just for smartphones; it works with some digital point-and-shoot cameras and camcorders too. However, because digital zoom ...

All zoom lenses in film cameras and digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras are optical zoom. Digital point-and-shoot cameras as well as consumer and prosumer video camcorders have optical zoom ...

The digital zoom is accomplished via image enhancement software within the camera itself rather than the inherent mechanics of the physical zoom lens. For more details, see optical zoom.

How It Compares to Samsung's Approach A few users would rather Apple maintain a 5x optical zoom and improve upon digital zoom, as Samsung has tried to do in the Galaxy S25 Ultra model. Samsung ...

The 36x optical zoom (12x digital zoom) replaces the existing 26x (4x digital zoom) and has been implemented to deliver enhanced camera performance at both the wide and telephoto end of the lens zoom ...