#x lenses should be called telephoto, not zoom, change my mind

[Hypnotoad]

I'm sick of reading about "zoom" lenses on smartphones, when they are all just fixed focal length lenses. For example, the 5x periscope lens on the P30 pro should be called 5x telephoto, not 5x zoom. Zoom means that the lens has a range of focal lengths it can use, this doesn't apply to fixed focal length lenses.

 

Change my mind.

[Mihle]

9 minutes ago, Hypnotoad said:

I'm sick of reading about "zoom" lenses on smartphones, when they are all just fixed focal length lenses. For example, the 5x periscope lens on the P30 pro should be called 5x telephoto, not 5x zoom. Zoom means that the lens has a range of focal lengths it can use, this doesn't apply to fixed focal length lenses.

 

Change my mind.

I won't change your mind, you are correct.

[porina]

No experience of these phones, it isn't continuous zoom then? So you get to pick 1x or 5x for example? What's your position on digital vs optical zoom?

[Hypnotoad]

4 minutes ago, porina said:

No experience of these phones, it isn't continuous zoom then? So you get to pick 1x or 5x for example? What's your position on digital vs optical zoom?

While I'm aware of the distinction between optical and digital, I wasn't considering digital in the scope of this argument. Mostly because phone manufacturers are marketing their devices as having "#x optical zoom."

[porina]

Just now, Hypnotoad said:

While I'm aware of the distinction between optical and digital, I wasn't considering digital in the scope of this argument. Mostly because phone manufacturers are marketing their devices as having "#x optical zoom."

I got that, but this camera lens is only fixed at 1x and 5x optical?

 

I suppose zoom is often used as it is easier for the non-photographer to understand. I've used fixed length teles for wildlife before. Non photographer passing by asks, what's the zoom on that? Erm... technically 1x as there isn't any, but it could be 14x to 17x depending on what wide angle reference is used.

[Darkseth]

On 4/29/2019 at 3:19 PM, Hypnotoad said:

I'm sick of reading about "zoom" lenses on smartphones, when they are all just fixed focal length lenses. For example, the 5x periscope lens on the P30 pro should be called 5x telephoto, not 5x zoom. Zoom means that the lens has a range of focal lengths it can use, this doesn't apply to fixed focal length lenses.

 

Change my mind.

Oh, can i play too?

 

i'm sick of all "pro tech reviewers" who call it a Fingerprint scanner, when it's a Sensor.

 

Or... when even big companies like Huawei or Asus call their 2560x1440 / 2560x1600 Screens "2k" which can't be more technically false.

And what annoys me more here is: I don't even know, if Huawei's/Asus' Marketing-department is just too stupid to know, or do that on purpose, because they know, that most people don't know the truth, so it "sounds better" for the masses?

 

 

 

No but seriously. I think, they call it so it "sounds better for the masses". That's why they NEVER use any "mm focal length" in their data sheets, because most people can't do anything with this information.

I guess, even if it's not perfectly correct, it's apparently correct enough, so most people know what to expect.