TX1 101: Using the Enhanced Digital Zoom

Today's TX1 101 lab is focused on the nifty enhanced digital tele-zoom functions on the camera that allow you to combine optical and digital zoom to get closer to your subject.

Normally I would completely ignore the digital zoom capability on a point-and-shooter because the moment you pass over from optical to digital zoom, you can see the picture quality drop off significantly. But in the case of the TX1, and with good shooting conditions, the digital zoom is actually amazingly good.

The TX1 already has a fantastic 10x optical zoom which trounces most other pocket sized snappers. I personally think this is one of the camera's top features. One of the tricks it has up its sleeve is the ability to 'improve' the zoom further by dialling in some digital trickery.

Under normal circumstances, the TX1 has a 39mm-390mm focal length (35mm equivalent). By employing the digital tele-converter feature (manual, p32), you can improve this zoom by a factor of 1.5x or 1.9x. On each of these settings, both ends of the focal length are increased, as follows:

• 1.5x: 58.5mm - 585mm
• 1.9x: 74.1 - 741mm

In addition to this, you can simply allow the camera to use all of its digital zoom capability, stretching the far end of the focal length to a whopping 40x (or 1560mm). You might be thinking that's plain ridiculous and that the images are going to look badly pixelated, but you might just be surprised, as the test shots below demonstrate.

Zoom comparison

Alright, let's get some more room happening so you can see the comparisons, side by side.

Launch the comparison page (new window)

Sold? How to access the digital zoom & tele-converter

OK, so are you're impressed enough to want to try it for yourself? If so, here's how:

1. In any of the shooting modes (not play mode), go into Menu
2. Make sure you're on the menu with the Camera icon
3. Scroll down to 'Digital Zoom'
4. There are 4 settings
• Off (no digital zoom available, just optical 39-390mm)
• Standard (digital zoom on, 39-390mm optical, crossing into digital up to 1560mm)
• 1.5x (58.5mm - 585mm)
• 1.9x (74.1 - 741mm)
5. Choose the setting you want, and exit the Menu
6. If you've chosen 1.5x or 1.9x you'll notice a new display icon of T1.5x or T1.9x shown on the LCD
7. Use the zoom normally for photos and video
   

Safety Zoom feature

If you've chosen just to use the digital zoom (standard setting), you'll notice that when you zoom, the zoom bar shown on the LCD has two sections. The left hand section (shown in white) is the optical zoom. Any zooming in this section won't suffer from any digital deterioration.

The right hand section is where the digital zoom is being used. When you cross over from optical to digital zoom, the zooming action will pause for a moment to let you know you're crossing over.

The camera has a smart feature which can work out whether the digital part of the zoom is going to result in a significant reduction in image quality. If the zoom bar turns yellow, the digital part of the zoom is still going to take a good shot (with minor degradation of quality). If it however turns blue, that's when you are going to start to see the image quality go downhill fast.

You should also note that you can only use the digital zoom and tele-converter when you are shooting 4:3. It does not work in 16:9 mode.

I wouldn't recommend using this feature much indoors (or in low light), as the picture starts to get very noisy quickly. You'll also notice that at the far end of the digital zoom, the picture is very shaky. Unless you have the camera sitting on a rock solid tripod I also wouldn't recommend using too much digital zoom for video.

Why bother?

You might wonder why you'd want to use the 1.5x and 1.9x settings when you could just use the full power of the digital zoom. It's a valid question. One reason might be that you treat it like you might on a DSLR where upping the focal length at both ends is like changing zoom lenses. You always know what the minimum and maximum focal lengths are going to be, and you work within those.

Another possibility, and the one highlighted in the manual is that by using 1.5x and 1.9x you can achieve a faster shutter speed and more image stability than the equivalent focal length using the standard digital zoom. That's certainly worth considering.

Summary

So as you can see, the TX1's enhanced zoom is not too shabby when used in ideal conditions. In good light and with a fast enough shutter speed, you can still capture images of good quality and with excellent detail.

I'd be interested in people's experiences using the tele and digital zoom when out and about, so feel free to tell us all about it in the comments.

TX1 wide-angle lens mod

Phillip Torrone has a short and sweet MAKE rundown of a TX1 modification to allow a wide angle lens to be attached. It's not for everyone, but if you're keen to take on the challenge, check it out.

Link: MAKE TX1 lens mod