Zoom Comparison confusion

[samantha32]

In terms of comparing a digital to a film camera, what zoom is more? The 3x optical zoom on a digital camera, is it similar to let's say a 110 zoom on a film? betteR? worse? i'm confused :confused:

[John_Reed]

In terms of comparing a digital to a film camera, what zoom is more? The 3x optical zoom on a digital camera, is it similar to let's say a 110 zoom on a film? betteR? worse? i'm confused :confused:Typically, the "ideal" zoom range for a 35mm film camera was from 35mm (wideangle) to 105mm (telephoto), which would give you the range to do scenery on the wideangle end, and portraits on the long end. 110mm on the film side would be about a portrait focal length. When you look at digital cameras, typically 3X zoom, you'll get roughly the same range, but you have to look closely at the lowest number. Sometimes the minimum can be 39mm, sometimes 35mm, sometimes 28mm. "3X" of each of these numbers works out to 117mm, 105mm, and 84mm, respectively. Whether any of these are "better" or "worse" for you than a "110 film" would depend on what kind of photos you mainly like to shoot. :o