Vistek Imaging and Photographic Terminology Database

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z

Zip: To compress a file or files into one file. Commonly used to reduce the size of a file to speed up transmission over the Internet.

Zone focusing: A method of focusing the lens so that the depth of field extends over a preselected range of distances.

Zone system: A method of planning film exposure and development to achieve precise control of tones in a print. Pioneered by photographers such as Ansel Adams and Minor White.

Zoom, Optical vs. Digital: Whereas an optical zoom uses the optics (lens) of the digital camera to move you closer to your subject, a digital zoom simply uses the existing image and enlarges it digitally.Enlarging the image digitally reduces picture quality, and should therefore usually be avoided. However, a judicious use of digital zoom may sometimes yield images that are of quite acceptable quality. So, use with caution.What is important when comparing digital cameras is the optical zoom. Digital zoom can always be achieved later in an image editing software, such as Photoshop, so should not really be a determining factor when choosing a digital camera.

Zooming: Enlarging a portion of an image in order to see it more clearly or make it easier to alter. Opposite of zoom-out, which is useful for viewing the entire image when the full image is larger than the display space.