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Chapter 3: Taking Pictures 29 Using the Zoom Ring
Using the Zoom Ring
Figure 16: Zoom Ring While you are framing the subject for a picture, you will likely find that you need to zoom in or out
on the subject. This section explains the camera’s zoom ring, which you can use for this purpose (see
Figure 16).
Rotating the zoom ring around the lens barrel moves the lens continuously between wide angle and
telephoto focal lengths for optical zooming. As shown in Figure 17, you rotate the zoom ring in one
direction for wide angle (W), and in the other direction for telephoto (T). Note that the zoom ring will
bounce back after you release it.
The zoom ring also controls digital zooming. Digital zooming refers to digital cropping of the image,
giving the appearance of greater zoom. After the optical zoom is at its maximum setting, you can
digitally zoom in three steps (see below). Note, however, that you must have the image LCD on for
the digital zoom to operate. In digital zoom mode, enlargement is accomplished without changes in
the lens configuration. Since the lens is not involved in digital zoom, the changes appear only in the
image LCD; they are not evident through the viewfinder.
Figure 17: Directions to Rotate the Zoom Ring for
Wide Angle (W) and Telephoto (T) Focal Lengths
If the image LCD is turned on, at the end of the telephoto range, releasing and pressing the zoom
ring will initiate digital zooming. A digital zoom icon will appear in the text message area of the
image LCD’s top overlay bar. Digital zoom occurs in three steps:
1.2x
1.5x
2x
The camera pauses for 250 milliseconds (1/4 second) between steps. Digital zoom remains set shot-
to-shot, but turns off when you cycle the power on the camera. It also turns off any time you exit the
live view of Capture mode (for example, you press the MENU button on the camera to display the
Capture mode menus, or you turn the camera mode dial to set the camera to another mode).
Figure 18: Diopter Control
Using the Diopter Control
The rubber eye cup on the viewfinder is also a diopter control that you can turn (see Figure 18). The
diopter control allows you to adjust the focus of the picture subject in the viewfinder. Note that the
diopter control has no effect on the image you capture, however.